Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in San Diego
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one pedestrian dies every 75 minutes in the United States. And sadly, San Diego county is not immune to these devastating statistics, as the area experiences countless deaths yearly due to pedestrian accidents.
However, if you or a loved one sustained harm in a San Diego pedestrian accident, consider contacting Rawlins Law. Our experienced legal team is ready to help you through this dreadful ordeal and fight for the financial recovery and justice you deserve.
San Diego Pedestrian Accident Guide
- Common Causes Behind San Diego Pedestrian Accidents
- Common Injuries Following a San Diego Pedestrian Accident
- Local San Diego Issues When It Comes to Pedestrian Accidents
- Dealing With the Insurance Company After a Pedestrian Accident
- The Financial Damages You Can Pursue After a San Diego Pedestrian Accident
- Taking Action After a San Diego Pedestrian Accident
- Contact Rawlins Law, APC, for a Free Case Evaluation Following a San Diego Pedestrian Accident
About the Legal Team at Rawlins Law
At Rawlins Law, APC, our dedicated attorney, Ashley Rawlins, and her skilled legal team are ready to help those who need it most, including victims of car accidents, personal injury, and pedestrian accidents.
Because of our fight, dedication, and hard work, we have built an impeccable reputation for vigorously representing our clients and going after the justice they deserve. We have helped numerous individuals over the years and secured millions of dollars on their behalf through settlements and jury trial verdicts.
Contact Rawlins Law for your free case consultation if you suffered harm in a San Diego pedestrian accident due to another person’s wrongful actions. We can discuss your case over the phone or meet at one of our various law offices, including our San Diego location, off of Camino Del Rio North, near Mission Valley Freeway.
What Are Some Common Causes Behind San Diego Pedestrian Accidents?
Even though motor vehicle drivers are expected to exercise a reasonable duty of care when operating their automobiles, drivers do not always uphold this duty. And when these drivers breach this duty, not only can it result in a devastating car crash, but the harm to pedestrians can be tragic.
While these accidents generally result from many different negligent behaviors, some of the more common activities and situations behind these accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Failing to yield or stop for pedestrians
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Poor weather conditions
- Motor vehicles making left-hand turns
- Motor vehicles backing up
- A high volume of traffic
- Poorly timed traffic signals
In addition, while many of these pedestrian accidents involve automobiles, they can also occur when bicyclists or motorcyclists run into pedestrians. For these reasons, if you are unsure whether you have a viable claim after your pedestrian accident, reach out to a knowledgeable San Diego pedestrian accident attorney to determine your legal options.
Common Injuries Following a San Diego Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian accidents are often known to result in catastrophic injuries.
However, while the harm that results will usually depend on the accident and its circumstances, some of the more common types of trauma following this horrifying incident include:
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal damage
- Death
Additionally, it is important to point out that if you plan on bringing a legal claim following a pedestrian accident and want to go after compensation for the injuries you endured, you need to remember that time is not on your side. According to the state’s statute of limitations laws, individuals only have two years to file a lawsuit following a San Diego pedestrian accident. However, this period can change depending on any applicable exceptions.
You must submit your case before this time runs out so you do not lose your right to go after the money you deserve.
Contact an experienced San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer at Rawlins Law as soon as possible. Our attorneys can help you with this timeline, determine how long you have to submit your lawsuit, and ensure your case is prepared and filed before this statute expires.
Local San Diego Issues When It Comes to Pedestrian Accidents
Unfortunately, when it comes to pedestrian accidents, California is no stranger to these catastrophic incidents, as the state continuously ranks in the top ten for the number of people struck and killed while walking. Worse yet, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, San Diego County also tends to find itself at the top of the list, as it generally ranks in the top ten counties for the highest annual pedestrian fatalities nationally.
Yet, while there are many reasons behind these San Diego pedestrian accidents, one critical local issue that contributes to these accidents is the dangerous intersections in the area, including:
- 6th Avenue and Broadway, Downtown San Diego
- University and Marlborough Avenue
- El Cajon Boulevard and 36th Street
- Linda Vista Road and Ulric Street
- 4th Avenue and B Street, Downtown San Diego
However, if you suffered significant injuries in a pedestrian accident for a reason not indicated above, and you believe you have a viable claim, consider reaching out to a knowledgeable San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer at Rawlins Law as soon as possible. Our legal team can go over the details of your pedestrian accident, determine if you have a viable legal case, and assist you as you fight for justice and maximum recovery.
Dealing With the Insurance Company After a Pedestrian Accident
While you may believe that the insurance company will be ready to help you secure the money you need following a San Diego pedestrian accident to help you get through this challenging time, this is far from the truth.
The insurance company’s goal is to secure a profit. And when these insurers successfully avoid paying claims, they achieve this goal. For these reasons, these companies will have their adjusters try to do everything possible to stop you from getting the money you need, such as denying your claim or reducing it to almost nothing.
That is why following a San Diego pedestrian accident, you should consider contacting an experienced pedestrian accident attorney at Rawlins Law before you talk to these companies. Our knowledgeable team can handle these discussions on your behalf and make sure we fight hard for the fair settlement offer you deserve.
The Financial Damages You Can Pursue After a San Diego Pedestrian Accident
If a San Diego pedestrian accident harmed you, you may pursue financial damages for your harm and losses.
These damages break down into:
Economic Damages
These damages refer to payment for the tangible losses that result from an accident, including:
- Medical bills related to doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, and other medical treatments needed after the accident
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Ongoing medical treatments, such as rehabilitative therapy
- Personal property damages
- Domestic replacement services (such as child care, cleaning services, and grocery shopping services)
- Other costs resulting from the accident
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages refer to payment for losses that are subjective in nature.
They usually include:
- Pain
- Emotional anguish
- Suffering
- Reputational damages
- Loss of enjoyment of activities
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
However, to figure out which of these damages may apply to your case, it may be a good idea to discuss your pedestrian accident with a knowledgeable San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. These lawyers can help you determine which financial recovery you can pursue and assist you in going after the maximum compensation you need.
Taking Action After a San Diego Pedestrian Accident
While taking action after a pedestrian accident is not always possible, especially if you suffered severe injuries due to the accident, taking certain steps after this incident can be beneficial to your potential legal claim. These actions can protect your legal rights, ensure you get the medical help you require, and help you secure relevant evidence that can collaborate your claim.
As a result, after a San Diego pedestrian accident, you should:
Contact the Authorities
Call 911 immediately after a San Diego pedestrian accident, or have someone near the scene place this call for you. This is the fastest way to alert the officials that you need medical attention and gets police officers to the location. Once these officers investigate the incident, they will write their findings in their police report. If you pursue a legal claim after this accident, this police report can provide your attorney with valuable information they can use to strengthen your legal claim.
Get Medical Help
Regardless of how minor your injuries may appear, you should always get evaluated by a medical professional after a pedestrian accident. These doctors can verify that you do not have any serious hidden injuries, such as internal bleeding or a traumatic brain injury, that you may not be aware of and create a medical report detailing the injuries you suffered from the accident.
This report can be especially beneficial if the insurance company tries to argue that the harm you suffered did not result from the pedestrian accident or that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
Check For Evidence After the Accident
If you can, you should try to gather as much evidence as possible after the pedestrian accident, including photos and videos of:
- Your injuries
- The cars involved in the accident
- Sidewalk or road defects
- The weather
- The traffic conditions
- Other details from the accident
However, if your injuries prevent you from getting this evidence, leave this investigation to the attorney. Once hired, these lawyers can handle this process for you and ensure they find and secure the evidence needed to prove fault and damages.
Get Information From Others After the Accident
You will first want to gather personal details from all those involved in the pedestrian accident, including their name, address, insurance information, and driver’s license numbers.
You will also want to see if anyone at the scene witnessed the incident and try to get their details, specifically their name and contact information. These individuals can help corroborate your legal claim and offer testimony that your lawyer can use to go after full compensation.
However, as you talk to these people, watch what you say. Remember, the insurer can use your statements against you to hurt your ability to secure the money you need. As a result, it is better not to discuss what happened with others after the accident, make definitive statements about the incident, or apologize for anything.
Contact Rawlins Law, APC, for a Free Case Evaluation Following a San Diego Pedestrian Accident
If you suffered harm in a San Diego Pedestrian accident due to another person’s reckless or negligent actions, it is time for you to go after the justice you deserve. Fortunately, with an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer fighting for these rights, you will not have to handle this complicated legal battle alone.
Rather, once you retain Rawlins Law, our legal team can:
- Discuss your San Diego pedestrian accident in detail, determine what happened, and determine your legal options.
- Investigate the pedestrian accident and find the necessary evidence to show the extent of your damages and who was responsible for this horrifying accident.
- Determine the time limitations involved in your case.
- Hire experts to validate your legal claim, including accident reconstructionist experts and financial specialists.
- Prepare strong legal arguments and go after a fair settlement offer.
- Take your case to trial if the other side is unwilling to get you the money you need, and fight for every last dollar you deserve.
Do not wait to go after the money you need after a San Diego pedestrian accident. Instead, contact Rawlins Law, APC at (858) 529-5872 for your free case evaluation and find out how our team can help you fight for your desired outcome.
