In Santa Rosa’s sunny climate and eminently walkable communities, everyone on the road should take pedestrian safety seriously. With more people taking to the streets to walk, jog, or run, the risk of dangerous accidents increases. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), thousands of pedestrians are injured in traffic accidents each year. California leads the country in pedestrian deaths, with almost 25% more pedestrian fatalities than the national average.
If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to seek compensation. The Santa Rosa pedestrian accident lawyers at Nadrich & Cohen can explore your legal options with you.
What to Do if You Are in a Pedestrian Accident in Santa Rosa, CA
If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. Some severe injuries may not be apparent right away, as adrenaline can mask the pain until weeks after the incident. Protect your health and well-being with an examination by a paramedic, emergency room doctor, or your primary care physician.
This visit will also show a link between the accident and your injuries. As a result, the insurance company has less of a reason to dispute your claim.
Also, if you are able, obtain photos, videos, and witness contact information from the scene of the accident. You will need this documentation to establish and support your claim for compensation.
You May Have a Legal Right to Compensation
California Code VEH 11-5-21950 states that pedestrians have the right of way when in crosswalks or at intersections, and drivers have a duty to approach such areas with caution. While pedestrians are expected to avoid stepping suddenly into the line of moving traffic, the law generally expects drivers to exercise due care for pedestrian safety.
If you are injured in a pedestrian accident due to a driver’s failure to exercise due care, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses. Damages you can claim in a Santa Rosa pedestrian accident include:
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Medical bills
- Prosthetics and assistive devices
- In-home and long-term medical care
- Loss of enjoyment
- Reduced quality of life
At Nadrich & Cohen, we believe in holding drivers accountable for injuries they cause due to their negligent or reckless actions. If you are a pedestrian who was struck and injured by a vehicle in Santa Rosa, we will work tirelessly on your behalf to seek a fair settlement for the resulting damages you sustained.
Wrongful Death in California Pedestrian Accidents
If you lost someone you love in a pedestrian accident in Santa Rosa, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. If the accident stemmed from someone’s reckless or negligent actions, we can help you seek compensation for burial and funeral costs, medical expenses, and loss of income, among other things.
How a Santa Rosa Pedestrian Accident Lawyer on Our Team Can Help
Nadrich & Cohen Accident Injury Lawyers
(707) 525-1188
CCP § 335.1 limits the amount of time that you have to file a lawsuit for your injuries, so we encourage you to reach out to us quickly.
The pedestrian accident attorneys at Nadrich & Cohen will keep up with the necessary filing deadlines, so you do not lose your chance to file a lawsuit for compensation.
Other responsibilities we can take on include:
Gathering Evidence
If we decide to work on your case, our legal team will start by obtaining evidence to support your claim. This evidence may include:
- Photographs and videos of the accident
- Expert accident reconstruction
- Eyewitness statements, police reports
- Medical records
With this information, we will establish the responsible party and determine the monetary value of your claim.
Settling Your Pedestrian Case Out of Court
We will file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Even though many injury cases are settled out of court, the negotiation process can still take months. With our attorney on your side, you don’t have to worry about the negotiations or deadlines associated with your injury. We will take care of everything, so you can focus on recovering.
Going to Trial
If we are unable to come to an agreement with the insurance company, we will take your case before a jury. No matter how large or complex your claim, we will not back down when it comes to seeking the compensation you deserve.
Pedestrian Accident Injuries Are Often Severe
When pedestrians are injured in accidents, they are more likely to experience debilitating long-term injuries. Whereas motor vehicle operators have a layer of protection, pedestrians’ bodies bear the full force of the collision. Such impact can cause a range of injuries, including:
- Head, face, and neck injuries
- Lacerations and bruises
- Internal injuries
- Organ damage
- Bone fractures
- Joint and tendon damage
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
A pedestrian accident can easily cause long-term health effects, including paralysis, chronic disability, and coma. Your life may never be the same.
Call Nadrich & Cohen for a Free Case Evaluation Today
With more than three decades of experience in California personal injury law, the legal team at Nadrich & Cohen knows how hard it can be for a pedestrian accident victim to juggle bills, physical recovery, and filing legal claims. We are here to help ease the burden. Our Santa Rosa pedestrian accident lawyer will take care of the legalities, so you can focus on the things that are important: your physical and mental health.
Our dedication to justice is evident, with more than $350,000,000 in settlements collected for our clients. Contact our office today for a free case analysis and see how we can help with your pedestrian accident claim. We will also take your case on contingency, so we won’t get paid unless we secure compensation for you.
