Torrance, CA Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrians face some of the greatest risk of injury when they walk along busy streets. While all drivers in California are legally required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at all times, some drivers cause severe injuries to pedestrians when they fail to do so. Pedestrians struck by motor vehicles often suffer serious or even fatal injuries. If you or a loved one recently experienced such an accident, call our office. It is crucial that you know your legal rights when it comes to securing compensation from the party responsible for the incident.

The right Torrance, CA pedestrian accident attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of any personal injury case. If you need legal counsel after a pedestrian accident in Torrance, Attorney Mike McLachlan and his team at McLachlan Law, APC are ready to assist you.

Why Choose McLachlan Law, APC?

If you need legal counsel for any type of civil claim, choose an attorney who has solid experience handling cases like yours. Attorney Mike McLachlan has more than 25 years of experience representing clients in civil claims throughout Southern California. Our team believes in providing close, personalized, and responsive legal counsel for every client we represent.

Rest assured that when you choose Attorney Mike McLachlan as your Torrance pedestrian accident lawyer, you can approach your case with greater confidence. Once we review the details of your claim, we will help you determine the best legal options available to you. Our firm has successfully handled many pedestrian accident claims for past clients in Torrance and surrounding areas. We are ready to put this experience to work in your civil case.

Why Do I Need Legal Counsel?

If you were struck by a car while walking as a pedestrian in Torrance, the incident likely caused severe injuries and economic losses. Even if liability for these damages seems immediately clear, navigating the necessary legal processes that lie between you and the recovery you seek is extremely challenging for anyone without professional legal experience.

Instead of risking your recovery in an attempt to save money on legal fees, get help. It is essential to understand that hiring an attorney increases the chance of winning your case and the amount of compensation you could potentially win. People who represent their own interests instead of seeking legal counsel risk accepting lowball settlement offers or overlooking open channels of compensation. A Torrance, CA pedestrian accident attorney will know exactly where to look to assist you in maximizing your recovery.

Potential Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Claim

Whenever a car or other vehicle hits a pedestrian, it is very likely for the pedestrian to suffer serious injuries. Taking prompt legal action for a pedestrian accident caused by negligence is the best way to secure compensation. An experienced attorney can help you explore all the potential channels of compensation available to you in your claim. Some of the most commonly claimed damages in pedestrian accident lawsuits include:

• Medical expenses for both immediate and future treatments. Pedestrian accidents can easily cause broken bones, facial injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and much more. Some of these injuries will require extensive long-term treatment.
• Lost income, both present and future. Long recovery following a pedestrian accident will lead to lost income from time spent home from work. If the injured pedestrian is left disabled by the accident, they can claim their lost anticipated future earnings as well.
• Pain and suffering. California law allows a plaintiff to claim compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma resulting from a personal injury. The amount obtained for pain and suffering typically reflects the severity of the victim’s injuries and the total amount of their other damages.

Depending on how the accident occurred, it is also possible for a plaintiff to recover punitive damages intended to punish the defendant’s behavior. Punitive damages are likely to be awarded when a defendant’s behavior falls outside the scope of typical negligence or was intentionally harmful. The amount awarded depends on the defendant’s financial status; a wealthy defendant will pay much more than one who only holds limited assets.

Winning a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit

Once you have selected a Torrance, CA pedestrian accident attorney to represent your case, you have two years from the date of the accident to file your personal injury claim under California’s statute of limitations. Your attorney will help you collect the evidence you need to prove liability for your damages and the full extent of your damages and then file your Complaint with the local courthouse. Next, the court will serve the defendant the Complaint and provide them the chance to respond.

At this point, it is very likely that the case will move to settlement negotiations as a swift settlement is generally in both parties’ best interests. However, if the defendant denies liability or contests elements of the Complaint, the timeline changes. These issues must be resolved in settlement negotiations. Otherwise, the case will proceed to more expensive and time-consuming litigation.

To succeed with a pedestrian accident lawsuit, the plaintiff and their attorney must prove that the defendant named in the case was negligent in some way that directly resulted in the plaintiff’s claimed damages. The plaintiff’s legal team must also prove that their claimed damages were the direct results of the defendant’s negligence and not some other cause.

Start Building Your Case

Pedestrian accidents have a high chance of causing catastrophic injuries. If you or a loved one recently experienced any type of pedestrian accident resulting in damages, call our firm. It is essential to take appropriate legal action as swiftly as possible. The sooner you begin working with a Torrance, CA pedestrian accident attorney, the more likely you are to receive maximum compensation for your losses.

At McLachlan Law, APC, our goal is to help our clients recover as wholly as possible, especially following traumatic events like pedestrian accidents. If you recently experienced such an accident due to the negligence of another party, do not wait any longer to take legal action. Contact McLachlan Law, APC today to schedule a case evaluation with a compassionate and reliable Torrance, CA pedestrian accident lawyer.