While many drivers are trained to keep their eyes on other vehicles on the road, they may not think to look out for pedestrians. As careful as you are to obey traffic lights and crosswalks, your unprotected body is no match for a negligent driver surrounded by two tons of metal. When a motorist crashes into you while you are walking around town, a Folsom pedestrian accident lawyer could listen to your story and help you exercise your right to seek compensation. Reach out to our dedicated personal injury attorneys to get started.

Negligent Acts That Lead to Pedestrian Accidents

The California Office of Traffic Safety reports that pedestrian fatalities have increased almost 10 percent over the past year. Pedestrians who live through an accident often face broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Motorists cause this damage by:

  • Driving impaired
  • Driving distracted
  • Failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
  • Speeding or driving too fast for weather conditions
  • Running stop signs or red lights and speeding through yellow ones

When careless motorists harm pedestrians, they should be held responsible for the devastation they cause. At Walsh & Nguyen, our Folsom pedestrian accident attorneys are highly skilled at negotiating with insurance companies and presenting negligence cases to juries. We focus on each case to ensure our clients have the best chance of obtaining the most compensation.

Proving Negligence in a Pedestrian Accident Case

Pedestrian accidents are typically caused by negligence. An injured person must prove the four main elements of negligence exist in order to prevail in a claim for compensation:

  • A driver owed a pedestrian a duty of care
  • The driver behaved recklessly, resulting in a breach of duty of care
  • A victim suffered damages
  • Causation (the damages can be clearly linked to the breach of duty of care)

All motorists have a duty to follow traffic laws and abide by California statutes. When a motorist fails to uphold this standard and drives carelessly or negligently, a pedestrian accident attorney in Folsom could help gather evidence to prove the four elements of negligence and pursue full and fair compensation for anyone who was injured.

Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accidents

The Statute of Limitations specifies the amount of time an injured pedestrian has to file a lawsuit. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, personal injury claims must be brought within two years of the accident. If a claimant waits too long, they will not be heard at all.

Discuss Your Case With a Folsom Pedestrian Accident Attorney

You may be mindful of your surroundings and obey pedestrian traffic rules, but when you share the streets with careless motorists, you are still at their mercy.

Pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries and losses because the human body cannot stand up against the size and weight of an automobile. This results in extensive medical bills, all while you are missing paychecks from work while you recover. Let the legal professionals at Walsh & Nguyen help. We are diligent about pursuing your right to compensation from the party that injured you. To learn more about your legal options, contact a Folsom pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm today.