If you live in Westlake Village, CA, or surrounding Los Angeles County, you likely enjoy walking around the sun-dappled streets. However, there’s a chance that you could wind up the victim of a pedestrian accident.
Drivers today are more distracted than ever before, leading to a rise in pedestrian accidents in popular areas throughout Los Angeles and the local area. After being hit by a car, you’ll likely have serious injuries. Choose an experienced Westlake Village pedestrian accident lawyer to help you through the legal process.
At the King Law Firm, we are on a mission to protect the rights of pedestrian accident victims. The pedestrian accident lawyers at our law offices provide unwavering support and representation throughout your personal injury case. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Westlake Village personal injury attorney from our law office.
The Importance of Hiring Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for Your Personal Injury Claim
Pedestrian accidents may be the most difficult type of auto accident, even though you may think otherwise. That is why it’s wise to contact a personal injury lawyer to assist you.
It is much more likely in pedestrian accidents for the insurer to shift blame to the injured party. California follows an at-fault model for insurance. This means the at-fault party will be responsible for covering the medical expenses and other financial losses suffered by the victim.
However, other obstacles may prevent you from getting the fair compensation you deserve for such an auto accident. The comparative negligence laws allow for shared blame between all involved parties. While California uses pure comparative negligence, allowing the pursuit of compensation even when you are 99% at fault, it means that you could be falsely blamed in the name of reducing the payout for your injuries.
Pedestrian accident lawyers are well aware of these tactics in personal injury law. We will seek compensation from the negligent driver rather than letting you settle for less than what you need to pay for your medical bills and other losses. We offer a free initial consultation to help you review your options. If you are considering taking legal action, call us today!
What Makes a Pedestrian Accident More Challenging Than a Car Accident?
The most notable difference between a pedestrian accident and other types of accidents with motor vehicles is that the injuries, even at low speeds, tend to be serious. Pedestrians do not have the advantage of physical protection. When a vehicle barrels through an intersection, it is most like that the injured party will have catastrophic and life-altering injuries.
Unfortunately, many pedestrians do not survive these injuries. Loved ones are left grieving for their sudden loss. In these situations, filing a wrongful death case may be the only way to move forward. Our personal injury lawyers handle each case with compassion, allowing those who have lost a cherished family member to a pedestrian accident the chance to grieve while seeking the maximum compensation allowed. In pedestrian accidents that involve gross negligence, punitive damages may apply.
How Our Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You with Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Cases
It’s more likely that you will endure serious injury in a pedestrian accident. In the Los Angeles area, you must arm yourself through representation with a qualified personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation.
To prove fault, it will require the experience of a Westlake Village pedestrian accident lawyer with a proven track record for obtaining fair resolution. After these types of accidents, you must take the right steps to protect your rights while a personal injury attorney works to get full compensation on your behalf.
Call the Police and Go to the Hospital
Our Westlake Village pedestrian accident lawyers tell our clients to call the police from the scene. The reason is that police officers will be required to file a police report regarding this incident. You will have a record of what happened. Additionally, if the officer issues a citation to the driver, it provides further proof that the driver was at fault.
If you are injured, you will need to seek medical treatment as well. Don’t shrug off this responsibility, even if you feel fine. Medical records will be established from your treatment and will detail your injury type and severity. These can also be instrumental in proving that you deserve compensation.
Exchange Information and Get Evidence
In Westlake Village, you are required to exchange information after an accident, which ultimately helps you file your claim. Taking photos and videos can help too, though do not worry if your injuries are too severe to do so. Your Westlake Village pedestrian accident lawyer can take over and get what is needed for your case.
Act Quickly to Stay Within the Time Limit
Contact a Westlake Village personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing the statute of limitations, which is set at two years from the date of the accident. You must file your case before this time runs out or else you will be barred from seeking compensation. Most attorneys offer free consultations to help you determine if you have a valid claim. It’s worth it to consider this soon after your pedestrian accident to get the ball rolling before this deadline.
Remember, you will have expenses from medical treatments, lost wages, and other damages to contend with, and the insurer for the driver who hit you will try everything they can to reduce your payout. You can rely on the combined experience provided by every personal injury lawyer at the King Law Firm. We are devoted to seeking justice and compensation for all of our clients. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you recover compensation for your pedestrian accident.