Long Beach is an excellent location for getting out there on foot. The beautiful weather and scenery give pedestrians the boost they need to get their steps in.
When you are on a walk, however, you are at your most vulnerable in terms of traffic accidents, and driver negligence is prevalent.
If a driver’s negligence has injured you in a pedestrian accident, you owe it to yourself and your claim to reach out to an experienced Long Beach pedestrian accident lawyer.
Compensable Losses From a Pedestrian Accident in Long Beach
The losses you experience as a pedestrian hit by a heavy vehicle are likely severe.
Medical costs
As a pedestrian, you are vulnerable to life-threatening injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Internal injuries
Such injuries can lead to secondary health issues and chronic conditions requiring ongoing treatment and care.
Lost earnings
A serious injury can leave you off the job for a significant amount of time, which often translates to lost earnings. Things become even more serious when your earning potential or your ability to advance your career is affected.
Pain and suffering
There is often a strong emotional component when it comes to pedestrian accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. This emotional pain — coupled with the physical pain you experience — can be especially challenging to process and overcome.
Driver Negligence Endangers Pedestrians
Dangerous pedestrian accidents are often caused by driver negligence in one form or another.
Impairment
When a driver is under the influence of alcohol, they can experience losses in judgment and impulse control that put everyone on the road at increased risk but can be especially dangerous for pedestrians.
In order to safely accommodate pedestrians, motorists must pay careful attention to the road ahead and adjust their driving accordingly when they meet with pedestrians. Unfortunately, impaired drivers lack the focus and attention to detail necessary to get the job done, and pedestrians can pay a high price for their negligence.
Distraction
In order to safely accommodate pedestrians crossing the road, motorists need to see them in the first place. Distracted drivers train their attention elsewhere and often lose sight of pedestrians.
Texting and other smartphone activities are the most dangerous distractions of all. When a driver who is distracted by their phone comes around a corner, pedestrians crossing at the time can find themselves in harm’s way.
Excessive speed
It is easy to let speed creep up on you a bit, and motorists who fail to take the necessary safety precautions can find themselves going far too fast, far too quickly. When motorists drive in excess of the speed limit or too fast in relation to what they encounter on the road – including pedestrians attempting to cross – it sets the scene for dangerous accidents.
Exhaustion
If you have ever gotten behind the wheel with too little sleep under your belt, you have probably experienced some of the dangerous effects of drowsy driving. Too many drowsy drivers consider the effects of too little sleep more of a nuisance than a risk factor and forge ahead.
Drowsy drivers can experience impairments very similar to those experienced by drivers under the influence of alcohol, making them seriously dangerous.
The Insurance Company and Your Pedestrian Accident Claim
You will file your pedestrian accident claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider, but you should not be lulled into a false sense of security by doing so. The insurance company has reserves of resources and is not afraid to engage them in their efforts to keep your settlement low. Keep all of the following in mind:
- The insurance company may offer you an early settlement, but you can count on this being too low to cover the full scope of your losses.
- The insurance company may deny your claim without consideration — hoping you will give up.
- The insurance company may invest time and effort into artificially complicating and prolonging the claims process in the hope you will give up.
- The insurance company may blame you for the accident, hoping you will be too intimidated to fight back.
You can also expect the insurance company to seek you out in an attempt to engage you in a conversation, hoping to obtain a statement they can use to discredit your claim in the process. You are not required to provide the insurance rep handling your claim with a statement, and it is in your best interest to leave this task to your dedicated pedestrian accident attorney at One Law Group.
Protecting your pedestrian accident claim
Your pedestrian accident claim will be specific to the unique circumstances involved, but there are certain steps you can take to help you bolster your recovery while protecting your claim, including:
- Follow your medical team’s instructions, advice, and orders very carefully.
- Consult with a trusted pedestrian accident attorney as soon as you are able to do so, who will take over negotiations to ensure that your best interests are supported.
- Take a break from posting on social media since the insurance company will be watching your activity and will be happy to read something into your musings.
Consult With Our Experienced Long Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
The focused Long Beach pedestrian accident lawyers at One Law Group have a wealth of experience skillfully pursuing just compensation for clients like you. This includes being well prepared to proceed to court if the insurance company refuses to honor your legal rights.
For more information, please contact or call us at 310-923-9420 today.