Inglewood Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Inglewood Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Inglewood, CA, is one of the busiest areas of southern California, and every day thousands of pedestrians navigate their way around the city in close proximity to moving traffic. The traffic lights and other signals posted on virtually every street exist to ensure drivers can anticipate the actions of other drivers and pedestrians nearby. These signals also aim to help pedestrians navigate crosswalks and other risky areas more safely.

Legal Counsel for Injured Pedestrians in Inglewood, CA

Unfortunately, some drivers do not exercise appropriate caution around pedestrians and cause devastating accidents. If you or a loved one recently suffered injuries due to the negligence of a driver while you were walking in Inglewood, you likely have grounds for a personal injury claim against the driver.

McLachlan Law, APC, provides comprehensive legal counsel to victims of pedestrian accidents in Inglewood, CA. Whether you or a loved one suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, we understand how devastating these incidents can be and the severe toll they can inflict on the victim and their family, physically, psychologically, and financially. If someone else caused your pedestrian accident, you should not be forced to handle the aftermath on your own.

Why Do I Need an Inglewood Pedestrian Accident Attorney?

If a driver injured you or a loved one in a pedestrian accident, navigating the legal processes required to hold them accountable can be much more complicated than you might expect. Even a seemingly straightforward pedestrian accident claim entails several risks, and attempting to handle your claim alone could mean losing your chance to recover compensation for your damages. The right attorney handling your claim not only increases your likelihood of successfully obtaining compensation for your losses but also reduces the chances of administrative or procedural errors interfering with your claim. Additionally, you will be able to rest and recover with peace of mind, knowing your case is in trustworthy hands.

Your Inglewood pedestrian accident lawyer will help you determine liability for your damages and explore the full scope of all the damages you can include with your claim. It’s common for personal injury plaintiffs to underestimate the potential values of their claims until they secure legal counsel. An experienced personal injury lawyer can uncover avenues of compensation the average person would be likely to overlook on their own.

Proving Fault for a Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrian accidents can happen in many different places. Success with your pedestrian accident claim requires proving exactly how your accident occurred and identifying the party or parties responsible for causing it. Your Inglewood pedestrian accident lawyer will assist you in identifying the defendant or defendants liable for your injuries and proving they caused your claimed damages. In addition, success in any personal injury claim requires proving that a defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care, failed to uphold that duty of care, and directly caused the injuries the plaintiff claimed.

In almost every pedestrian accident claim involving a motor vehicle driver and an injured pedestrian, the driver is entirely to blame for the pedestrian’s damages. However, California’s pure comparative negligence law could come into play if you contributed to causing the accident in any way. For example, if you crossed outside a designated crosswalk and stepped directly in front of the driver, the driver may not have had any time to stop or swerve to avoid the collision. The driver still bears the higher duty of care, but you would likely absorb some percentage of fault for the incident.

Under California’s pure comparative negligence statute, a plaintiff found partially at fault for causing their claimed damages loses a percentage of their case award equal to their fault percentage. For example, if a judge determines a plaintiff is 20% at fault in a $200,000 claim, the plaintiff loses 20% of the case award or $40,000 and only receives $160,000 to reflect their comparative negligence.

Claimable Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Claim

Pedestrian accidents often result in devastating injuries. Therefore, an injured plaintiff has the right to claim compensation for all damages caused by a defendant’s negligence, including:

• Immediate and future medical expenses. The plaintiff can hold the defendant accountable for all of the medical treatment they require due to the accident, including immediate emergency care as well as the costs of any ongoing medical treatments needed.
• Lost income and lost earning potential. The plaintiff in a pedestrian accident claim may be unable to work during their recovery, and they can hold the defendant accountable for their lost wages. Additionally, if they cannot return to work due to a disability caused by the pedestrian accident, the defendant is liable for the plaintiff’s lost future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering. California law allows a plaintiff to hold a defendant accountable for physical pain and emotional distress. Your Inglewood pedestrian accident lawyer will assist you in calculating a reasonable amount of pain and suffering compensation to include with your claim based on the severity of your injuries and the long-term medical complications you’re expected to experience.

Ultimately, a successful pedestrian accident claim can yield a substantial award for the plaintiff and their family. Therefore, the right Inglewood pedestrian accident attorney can potentially ensure that you maximize your recovery to the fullest extent possible under California state law. In addition, if you have any concerns about absorbing comparative negligence for your pedestrian accident, your Inglewood pedestrian accident lawyer will be a crucial asset in disproving any claims of comparative negligence from the defendant and holding them accountable for your damages.

Find a Lawyer for an Inglewood Personal Injury Now

It’s imperative to seek legal counsel as soon as possible after a pedestrian accident. Swift legal action is the best way to ensure the freshness of physical evidence and the reliability of witness testimony. In addition, the sooner you secure legal counsel, the sooner you can begin working on your recovery.

There is no reason to delay beginning the personal injury claim process after a pedestrian accident in Inglewood. The statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims is two years in California, beginning when an injury occurs. While this is a relatively generous window of time in which you can act, it is always best to move quickly to begin your personal injury claim with the help of an experienced attorney. If you or a loved one are struggling with pedestrian accident damages that a negligent driver caused, McLachlan Law, APC, is ready to assist with your recovery. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced and responsive Inglewood pedestrian accident lawyer.