Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Accidents in California

Seeing a pedestrian or pedestrians walking along a road, city street, or near developed areas is common in California, especially with our mild temperatures throughout the year in most places. Regardless of how common the sight may be, it can be dangerous due to the proximity of moving vehicles and bicycles. Unfortunately, this proximity often results in accidents.

Without the protection that a vehicle provides and safety equipment such as airbags, pedestrians are vulnerable to significant, even fatal, injuries. Between 2016 and 2020, California recorded more than a thousand pedestrian deaths, making it the ninth deadliest U.S. state for pedestrians.

Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Statistics

According to the 2020 census, 2.4 million people resided in the Sacramento metropolitan area, with California as the ninth deadliest state in the country for pedestrians. Pedestrian accident data from the Sacramento metro region shows that pedestrian and bicyclist-related deaths from car accidents rose 35% between 2019 and 2021.

According to a May 2024 report cited by The Sacramento Bee, California’s state capital is one of the deadliest areas for pedestrians in the country. From 2018 – 2023, 377 pedestrians died in pedestrian accidents. This put the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom metropolitan area in the 20th spot on the Smart Growth America’s 2024 list of the most dangerous places for people on foot.

Dangerous Intersections for Pedestrians in Sacramento

Sacramento, with its flat, walkable streets, sees more than its fair share of pedestrian accidents each year. Sacramento intersections with the highest rates of pedestrian accidents include:

• Fulton Avenue & Marconi Avenue
• 65th Street & Fruitridge Road
• Broadway & Martin Luther King Boulevard
• Watt Avenue & Arden Way
• Midtown Sacramento
• Natomas area/Arena Boulevard and Truxel Road

With pedestrian vs. vehicle accidents so common in Sacramento comes the need for solid representation to protect your best interests. Medical bills, lost wages, the possibility of lost future earning potential, and pain and suffering are all genuine reasons why a pedestrian accident attorney who has experience in this particular type of accident is critical.

FAQ: Our Sacramento pedestrian accident attorneys explain some common pedestrian accident injuries.

Pedestrian-car accident victims often suffer significant injuries. Many factors can affect the severity of the injuries, including the vehicle’s speed, weight, the part of the pedestrian’s body struck by the car, the impact angle, and the surface on which the accident occurred.

The most common types of injuries suffered by victims in accidents are:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Internal organ damage
• Neck injuries
• Injuries to the chest or abdomen
• Broken bones
• Torn ligaments
• Lacerations
• Joint injuries
• Knee injuries
• Leg injuries
• Foot injuries

Vehicle Speed and Fatalities

You know how fast a car can go makes a big difference in whether a pedestrian survives a crash? Well, a recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that if a car hits a pedestrian at 20 mph, about 5% of them would die. And if the car hits at 30 mph, that number jumps to about 40%.

In Sacramento, the average posted speed on city streets ranges from 25 to 55 miles per hour. However, in response to spikes in pedestrian deaths, Sacramento has decreased the posted speed limits along 24 street segments by five miles per hour.

Common Causes of Accidents

Some of the most common causes of these types of accidents that our personal injury attorneys encounter include:

• Low visibility conditions
• Speeding in residential areas
• Running stop signs and red lights
• Inactive or damaged headlights (at night)
• Not yielding to pedestrians in a crosswalk
• Speeding in school zones while children are present
• Hitting pedestrians during turns when they’re unaware of nearby pedestrians
• Distracted driving
• Drugs or alcohol (impaired driving)
• Roadway defects, including faded street crosswalk paint, missing traffic signs, and malfunctioning streetlights

Motorist Duty of Care

Motorists in California must abide by a legal obligation called “duty of care” when operating their vehicles. This law protects everyone, especially pedestrians, but there is no physical protection like car passengers.

Pedestrians must also abide by this obligation; they are responsible for acting reasonably and prudently and obeying all traffic laws that pertain to them while navigating roads and other shared spaces with fellow pedestrians, vehicles, and bicyclists.

If a driver breaches this duty of care and someone, such as a pedestrian, is injured, the driver can be cited and prosecuted for negligence.

Generally, the motorist’s duty of care consists of the following:

• Driving safely when children are present
• Yielding to pedestrians inside or outside a crosswalk (including unmarked crosswalks)
• Using caution when driving in reverse
• Driving at a safe speed
• Driving without distractions (texting, eating, etc.)
• Never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driving and operating a vehicle with particular care during instances of low visibility

FAQ: Can I file a personal injury claim if an uninsured motorist hits me?

The short answer is yes. Suppose you are injured in a pedestrian accident with an uninsured driver. In that case, one of our legal team can assist you with filing a claim with your insurance company for compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, and other damages that might apply.

If you are the victim of a pedestrian accident due to the actions of a negligent driver and the driver’s insurance policy amount is insufficient to cover your expenses and damages, you can file an underinsured motorist claim with your insurance provider.

Insurance claims following an accident can be highly complex. Our experienced personal injury lawyers in Sacramento can help. All you need to do is call and make an appointment for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation. During the consultation, you can ask questions and learn about the insurance claims process, including what to expect once you file.

Process for Filing a Personal Injury Claim Following a Pedestrian Accident

Several steps are critical to filing a personal injury claim to give you the best chance of a successful outcome, including:

1. Medical Attention: Seek medical care immediately and document your injuries with images.
2. Legal Representation: Contact a personal injury attorney who offers a free case consultation, like ours.
3. Investigation: Work with your attorney to gather evidence such as eye-witness statements, medical test results, records, and expert opinions.
4. Demand Letter: Sent to the at-fault party by your attorney. This begins the pursuit of a settlement.

FAQ: How long does settling a case take?

Like any other accident claim, your legal team can explain approximately how long it may take to settle or complete your claim, but every situation is unique. Accidents are not identical, and it may take time to know the long-term extent of your injuries, if any. Furthermore, predicting what will happen during the evidence-gathering, negotiations, or final settlement phase is difficult. You can count on your Eason & Tambornini legal staff to do everything possible to bring the claim to a swift resolution that fairly compensates you to the fullest extent of the law.

If a settlement cannot be reached, it may be necessary to go to trial. Your pedestrian accident attorney will remain by your side and continue representing your best interests. You will pay no fee unless you win.

Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Who Fight to Win

Our aggressive lawyers understand how this type of accident and the potential significant injuries can affect your life. From being unable to walk or drive to medical appointments to returning to work, we know this may be life-changing for you. When we agree to take a case, we intend to win. Our reputation in Sacramento as having the best injury lawyers is built on our successful track record. Our investigators are the best at what they do so that we can prove fault and negligence.

What types of cases do your Sacramento pedestrian accident attorneys handle?

More than any other, our pedestrian accident attorneys encounter cases caused by driver negligence. In the case of vehicle accidents, negligence is when a driver fails to use the necessary care in the operation of their vehicle in a safe manner that prevents harm to others. So, negligence is often a reason when a driver’s behavior falls outside the limits of responsible behavior. With pedestrian accidents, an unfortunate fact is that negligence is preventable; that is, a person who is not paying attention or chooses to drive while impaired or otherwise ignores known speeding or other laws can do irreparable harm to others.

When a pedestrian is hit by a car, even one going as slowly as 15-20 mph in a parking lot like Arden Fair Mall or Downtown Plaza, such as in a residential neighborhood, the results can be catastrophic. Head trauma is widespread in pedestrian vs. car accidents because, in almost all situations, a person contacts the ground with enough force to cause severe and even deadly injury.

You need a skilled and seasoned accident attorney if you have been injured in a pedestrian accident. We will help you get the compensation you deserve and are owed.

To speak with one of our Sacramento pedestrian accident attorneys, you can schedule your FREE, no-obligation consultation by calling us today at (916) 438-1819. And remember, you pay no fee until you win your case.