According to the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), California streets became the scene of 12,295 pedestrian fatalities and injuries in 2023. Every accident tells a story of negligence, whether a distracted driver, a failure to yield, or an unsafe roadway.
If you’ve been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident, understanding your injuries and how they affect your claim is important to securing the compensation you need for medical care, lost wages, and your long-term recovery.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Most pedestrian accidents happen because of driver negligence or unsafe road conditions. When motorists fail to follow traffic laws or pay attention to their surroundings, they put pedestrians at risk.
Some common pedestrian accident injuries happen as a result of:
- Distracted Drivers: Drivers using cell phones, adjusting navigation, or engaging in other distractions may not see pedestrians until it’s too late.
- Failure to Yield: Many drivers fail to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections, which can lead to catastrophic injuries.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Drunk or drug-impaired drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, putting pedestrians at risk.
- Speeding: The faster a vehicle travels, the less time a driver has to react, increasing the likelihood and severity of pedestrian injuries.
- Poor Road Conditions: Lack of crosswalks, malfunctioning traffic signals, inadequate lighting, or poorly maintained sidewalks can also contribute to accidents.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Unlike drivers, pedestrians have no seatbelts, airbags, or protective gear—leaving them exposed to serious and life-threatening injuries that can require long-term medical care. The impact of a vehicle, even at lower speeds, can cause:
- Broken Bones: Pedestrian accidents commonly fracture bones in the legs, arms, ribs, and hips. Severe breaks may require multiple surgeries, metal implants, and extensive rehabilitation.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even a mild concussion can have lasting effects, such as memory problems or chronic headaches. More severe brain injuries may result in cognitive impairment, personality changes, and long-term disability.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: A damaged spinal cord could cause partial or complete paralysis. This type of injury requires lifelong medical care, assistive devices, and home modifications.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma can cause life-threatening injuries to the lungs, spleen, kidneys, or liver. These injuries often require emergency surgery and long-term hospitalization.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, torn ligaments, and deep bruises may seem minor but can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and ongoing physical therapy.
- Emotional or Mental Trauma: It’s not just physical injuries that can affect you. Pedestrian accident victims often suffer from PTSD, depression, and anxiety, making it difficult to return to daily life or even walk near traffic again.
Talking to an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer is important if you’ve been affected by these injuries. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and suffering. We’re here to help—call El Dabe Ritter today for a free consultation!
How Your Injuries Impact Your Claim and Compensation
The severity of your injuries doesn’t just impact your health—it directly influences the compensation you can pursue. Whether you’re facing costly treatments, long-term disability, or the inability to work, the extent of your injuries will determine the financial recovery you may receive.
Below are key areas of compensation and how they influence your personal injury claim:
1. Medical Expenses
Medical expenses can quickly add up after a pedestrian accident, covering hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, assistive devices, and ongoing treatments. You must also consider future medical costs like rehabilitation and long-term care. The more extensive and prolonged your medical needs, the higher your potential compensation should be to cover both immediate and future expenses.
2. Lost Wages
If your injuries prevent you from working, you can claim compensation for lost wages. You can also claim compensation for loss of future earnings if the accident resulted in a permanent disability. Severe injuries that limit your ability to work long-term can significantly increase the value of your claim because they impact your financial stability.
3. Pain and Suffering
Beyond physical injuries, pedestrian accidents can cause significant pain and suffering, including emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life. More severe and permanent injuries typically lead to higher non-economic damages due to their lasting impact on your quality of life. Unlike medical expenses, pain and suffering damages are not based on receipts but rely on medical records, personal testimony, and expert evaluations to determine fair compensation.
4. Home & Lifestyle Changes
Serious injuries often require home and lifestyle modifications, such as wheelchair ramps, in-home care, and specialized equipment to assist with daily living. If your injuries require long-term adjustments to your home or ongoing assistance, these costs must be factored into your claim to ensure you receive the necessary support.
5. Punitive Damages
If a driver’s gross negligence—such as drunk driving or reckless behavior—caused your accident, the court may award punitive damages to punish them and deter future misconduct. These are intended to punish the at-fault party and discourage similar dangerous behavior in the future, potentially increasing the total compensation you receive.
Don’t Miss the Deadline to Recover Compensation
California has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims, typically two years from the accident date. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your chance to recover compensation. Consult with a personal injury attorney to protect your rights and ensure your claim is filed on time.
Steps to Strengthen Your Pedestrian Accident Claim
Taking the right steps after a pedestrian accident can significantly impact your ability to secure fair compensation.
Here’s what you should do:
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately – Even if you don’t have any visible injuries, some injuries take time to appear. A medical evaluation ensures all your injuries are documented.
- Document Your Injuries – Take clear photos of visible injuries, bruises, and medical devices (casts, braces, etc.). Keep copies of medical reports, prescriptions, and doctor’s notes.
- Gather Evidence from the Accident Scene – If safe, take pictures of the accident location, crosswalks, traffic signals, and any vehicle damage or road conditions.
- Obtain Witness Statements – If anyone saw the accident, get their contact information—their testimony can support your claim.
- Keep Track of Lost Wages and Expenses – Save medical bills, lost wage documentation, travel expenses for medical appointments, and receipts for any injury-related expenses.
- Avoid Speaking with Insurance Adjusters Alone – Insurance companies use tactics to minimize payouts. Don’t accept a lowball offer before speaking to a lawyer.
- Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney – A lawyer can help you gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure you receive full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If You’ve Been Injured, Don’t Delay Your Claim!
Your recovery should be your top priority—let us handle the legal details. Our team of experienced pedestrian accident attorneys is here to guide you through the legal complexities of your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.We have recovered millions of dollars for pedestrians inaccidents all throughout California.
Don’t settle for less! Call El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers today for a free consultation!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should consult with an experienced attorney for advice on your specific situation.
