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Woodland Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
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Woodland Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Thousands of pedestrians walk the streets of Woodland and surrounding metropolitan areas of California, and most are able to reach their destinations without any problems. However, pedestrian accidents do happen in various ways, often resulting in devastating injuries to those involved. Whenever a motor vehicle hits a pedestrian, there is a very high chance for the pedestrian to suffer catastrophic or even fatal injuries.
Helping Victims of Pedestrian Accidents Recover in Woodland, CA
If you or a loved one recently suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident in Woodland, you have the right to seek compensation for damages from the driver who caused the accident. While fault for the incident may seem clear to you, the actual legal process of holding them accountable is likely to be more challenging than you may initially expect. Your recovery process is likely to entail an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver, followed by a personal injury claim if their insurance cannot completely cover all your damages.
Kreeger Law Firm can provide the comprehensive legal counsel you need on your side in your recovery efforts. Any pedestrian accident has the potential to be life-changing for the victim, and you may have many legal questions that you are unable to answer on your own. You have a limited window of time in which to take legal action against the driver who injured you, and the sooner you connect with a Woodland pedestrian accident attorney, the more likely you are to maximize your total compensation.
Proving Liability for a Pedestrian Accident in Woodland
California’s fault rule for vehicle accidents means that you must identify the driver responsible for your pedestrian accident and prove they directly caused your claimed damages. These accidents happen for many reasons, primarily due to negligence. A few examples of the types of negligence that cause pedestrian accidents in Woodland include:
- Distracted driving. This is one of the most common causes of all vehicle accidents in the United States each year. Any time a driver is inattentive behind the wheel, they put themselves and others at severe risk of an accident happening. Cell phone use while driving continues to be the most commonly cited type of distracted driving, despite the fact that the state has banned the use of cell phones behind the wheel without hands-free devices.
- Drivers are expected to follow posted speed limits at all times. Speeding can prevent them from slowing down or stopping in time to avoid hitting a pedestrian. Whenever any accident occurs at high speed, the risk of severe injury or death significantly increases.
- Moving violations. Running red lights and stop signs or performing illegal turns are common examples of moving violations that can catch pedestrians unaware and cause severe injuries.
It is also possible for illegal misconduct to cause a serious accident, the most common example of this being driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol. Whenever an individual causes a personal injury through illegal misconduct of any kind, they not only face criminal prosecution from the state but also increased penalties upon conviction for causing harm to a victim. If this applies to your pedestrian accident case, your attorney can explain the implications it could have on your recovery efforts.
Recovering Compensation for Your Pedestrian Accident in Woodland, CA
After you prove fault for your pedestrian accident, you can then seek compensation from the party responsible for causing the accident. This process is likely to begin with a claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy, and your Woodland pedestrian accident lawyer can guide you through the claim filing process. After you secure as much compensation as you can through insurance, the next step would be filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.
California’s personal injury laws allow you to seek full compensation for all economic damages you suffered in the accident, such as your medical expenses and lost income during recovery. However, you also have the right to claim compensation for the long-term economic impact of the accident, such as ongoing medical treatment costs for severe injuries and lost future earning potential if you have been left unable to work in the future due to the severity of your injuries. Your Woodland pedestrian accident attorney can help accurately calculate the future income you are no longer able to earn because of the defendant’s actions and add this to your personal injury claim.
You also have the right to claim pain and suffering compensation from the defendant. State law does not impose a limit on how much you can claim, so you can seek as much as you believe to be fair to reflect the severity of your injuries. Attorneys calculate pain and suffering compensation for their clients based on the severity of their injuries and the time it will take them to reach maximum medical improvement. If you suffered any permanent harm from the incident, your pain and suffering compensation could form the bulk of your total case award.
Kreeger Law Firm excels at resolving complex personal injury cases in Woodland and surrounding communities. We know the many legal challenges you might encounter in your efforts to prove liability for your damages, filing your auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver, and securing compensation through your personal injury suit. You have a limited time in which to pursue your recovery, so it is vital that you connect with a Woodland pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible after you receive medical treatment for your injuries.
FAQs
Q: Is California a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?
A: No, it upholds the fault rule, meaning that whoever causes a motor vehicle accident is responsible for the resulting damages. Additionally, all drivers in the state must have auto insurance that includes liability coverage for any property damage or bodily injuries they cause. These same rules apply to pedestrian accidents, so it will be necessary for you to prove fault before you can recover your damages, and filing an insurance claim against the at-fault driver is likely to be your first step in recovering your losses.
Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Woodland?
A: If you intend to file any type of personal injury claim, you must meet the statute of limitations. This time limit for your claim begins on the date the injury occurred and extends for two years. However, your recovery process is likely to begin with an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver and you have a much shorter window in which to file this claim. It is advisable to speak with a Woodland pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible after receiving medical care for your injuries.
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Pedestrian Accident Personal Injuy?
A: The driver who hit you is liable for the full extent of the damages they caused. Because many pedestrian accidents result in catastrophic injuries that entail long-term financial losses and substantial pain and suffering, it’s possible to have grounds to claim a sizeable amount of compensation from the defendant who injured you. Your Woodland pedestrian accident attorney is your most valuable asset when it comes to maximizing your case award. They can help explore all available avenues of compensation, some of which you may have overlooked on your own.
Q: Can I Claim Compensation if I’m Partially Liable?
A: Yes, it is possible for a personal injury plaintiff to share fault for their claimed damages and still recover compensation from the defendant. Under the pure comparative fault rule in the state, each liable party has a fault percentage assigned to them to reflect their degree of responsibility for causing the incident. When a plaintiff has a fault percentage, this is how much of their case award they lose as a penalty. For example, 10% fault amounts to losing 10% of their case award.
Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Woodland Pedestrian Accident Attorney?
A: It’s natural to worry about the potential cost of hiring legal counsel for your case when you are already struggling with significant financial damages. However, most of the personal injury attorneys in Woodland and throughout the state operate on a contingency basis. Under a contingency fee agreement, the attorney only takes a fee from their client after they win their case, and only if they win their case. The client pays nothing upfront and nothing if the attorney is unable to secure a case award on their behalf. If they do win, the client pays a percentage of the total amount recovered from the defendant as the attorney’s fee.
Kreeger Law Firm has a solid professional record of successful personal injury cases in Woodland and surrounding communities due to our commitment to client-focused legal counsel. We take time to get to know our client and learn exactly how their accident has impacted their life, and we develop cohesive legal strategies that aim for maximum compensation in the shortest amount of time. If you are ready to learn what an experienced Woodland pedestrian accident lawyer can do for your recovery, contact Kreeger Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with our team.
