Pedestrian hit-and-run accidents can leave injured individuals facing medical treatment, financial concerns, and unanswered questions about who was responsible. Unlike a typical pedestrian collision, the driver in a hit-and-run leaves the scene without providing identifying or insurance information, which can make the situation more complicated. Understanding what to do can help preserve important information and clarify the options that may be available.
The first priority after a pedestrian accident should be health and safety. If you have been struck by a vehicle, call 911 or ask someone nearby to contact emergency services. Pedestrians have little physical protection when hit by a vehicle. Even a collision that initially seems minor may result in injuries that become more noticeable later. Potential injuries may include but are not limited to, the following.
Seeking medical care can help identify injuries and establish medical documentation regarding your condition following the accident.
A pedestrian hit-and-run should usually be reported to law enforcement as soon as possible. Victims should give officers as much information as they can remember about the vehicle and the circumstances surrounding the collision. Helpful details may include the following information about the vehicle.
If it is safe to do so, individuals should try to preserve information from the accident scene. Take photographs or videos of the location, your injuries, damaged personal property, roadway conditions, traffic signals, crosswalk markings, skid marks, vehicle debris, and anything else that may help document what occurred.
If witnesses saw the collision, ask for their names and contact information. A witness may have noticed details that the injured pedestrian did not see, including a license plate number or the direction the vehicle traveled.
Video evidence can be especially helpful in pedestrian hit-and-run accidents. Businesses, apartment buildings, parking structures, homes, intersections, and other properties near the collision may have surveillance cameras that captured the vehicle before, during, or after the accident.
It can be important to identify possible video footage quickly because some surveillance systems automatically delete recordings after a certain period. Law enforcement may obtain footage during its investigation.
If law enforcement identifies the driver, the circumstances of the collision may be investigated separately from the driver's decision to leave the scene. For a potential civil claim, issues such as negligence, causation, insurance coverage, and the nature and extent of the pedestrian's injuries may need to be evaluated. Leaving the scene does not by itself determine every issue involved in a civil injury claim. Each accident must be considered based on its individual facts.
One of the most difficult aspects of a pedestrian hit-and-run is that the responsible driver may not always be located. However, that does not necessarily mean an injured pedestrian has no available insurance options.
Depending on the person's insurance policy and circumstances, uninsured motorist coverage may potentially apply to injuries caused by an unidentified hit-and-run driver. Since insurance policies are very different from one another, pedestrians should review their coverage carefully and consider seeking guidance regarding applicable notice requirements and deadlines.
Following a hit-and-run accident, it may be important to maintain an organized file containing documents related to the incident. This may include, but is not limited to, the following.
Keeping records can make it easier to understand how the accident has affected you and provide documentation if an insurance claim or legal matter develops.
An insurance company may request information about the accident, injuries, treatment, or circumstances surrounding the collision. Before providing a recorded statement or signing documents, consider understanding what is being requested and why. Victims should not assume any facts regarding the accident and their injuries. Insurance coverage questions can become more complicated when the responsible driver is unknown, especially when uninsured motorist coverage is involved.
Pedestrian hit-and-run cases may involve several legal and insurance issues, including but not limited to:
An attorney can review the circumstances of the accident and explain which legal options may be available based on the facts. Depending on the situation, this may include reviewing police reports, evaluating insurance policies, communicating with insurers, identifying potential video evidence, or assessing whether another person or party may have legal responsibility.
The qualified personal injury attorneys at KAASS LAW may be able to help victims and their loved ones after a pedestrian hit-and-run accident. Every pedestrian accident is different, and the availability and outcome of any claim will depend on the specific facts, applicable law, available evidence, insurance coverage, and other circumstances. Call KAASS LAW today to learn more.
Walking around neighborhoods, communities, and hiking trails has always been a popular activity for many individuals and their families. This is a great way to get outside and spend time together, especially in the warmer months.
Pedestrian accidents are usually associated with negligent drivers. However, that is not always the case. Often, pedestrians may not follow the necessary safety steps to ensure they are not putting themselves in harm's way. Understanding distracted walking accidents and your legal considerations is crucial to ensuring your future safety and well-being.
Smartphones are one of the most common sources of distraction, but they are not the only one. Examples of distracted walking may include, but are not limited to, the following.
The identity of a 58-year-old man involved and killed on October 18 in Bellflower in a pedestrian accident has been made public by the coroner's office. Known as Luis Reynoso by the medical examiner's office, he was struck by a car near the intersection of Rosecrans and Woodruff avenues at 6:48 in the morning. Blunt-force trauma immediately killed Reynoso. Officials withheld any other details on the incident.
Even though it is virtually always the driver's responsibility to yield to pedestrians, they still face dangers on a daily basis in this nation. GHSA estimates that there will be 6,721 pedestrian fatalities in 2020. Also, an increase of 4.8% from the 6,412 fatalities reported in 2019. Most of the time, whether or not they are at a designated crosswalk, pedestrians have the right of way when crossing a street or an intersection. Now, it's essential to have an impartial investigation carried out by an experienced attorney. It is crucial to have the right tools when trying to establish fault in a pedestrian accident investigation.
The family of Luis Reynoso may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim for the loss of companionship and love, depending on the findings of the investigation. The outcome of a civil action is a wrongful death lawsuit for a pedestrian accident. This indicates that the victim's family or estate filed the wrongful death action because the defendant was responsible for the victim's death as a result of a willful or negligent act. Most wrongful death lawsuits in California can be settled. This entails discussions between the insurance provider and the claimant to negotiate a fair compensation amount.
Distraction alone does not automatically make a pedestrian legally responsible for an accident. The important question is whether the pedestrian's behavior contributed to the circumstances that caused the injury.
Drivers must remain attentive to traffic conditions and watch for pedestrians, especially around crosswalks, intersections, schools, shopping areas, and other places where pedestrians are reasonably expected to be present.
Depending on the circumstances, potentially negligent driver conduct may include speeding, distracted driving, failing to yield when required, making an unsafe turn, running a traffic signal, or driving while impaired.
For example, a pedestrian may have been looking at a phone while entering a crosswalk, while the driver may also have been speeding or failing to pay attention. In this type of situation, an investigation may examine the behaviors of both individuals rather than automatically assigning all responsibility to one person.
California uses a pure comparative negligence approach to personal injury claims. This ultimately means that more than one party may be assigned a percentage of responsibility for an accident. A person's potential recovery may then be reduced according to the percentage of fault attributed to that person.
Comparative negligence is especially relevant in pedestrian cases because insurers may argue that a pedestrian failed to exercise reasonable care even when a driver's conduct also contributed to the collision.
Since responsibility may be disputed, evidence can play an important role in determining how an accident occurred and who is to be held liable for injuries. Relevant evidence may include the following.
In addition, the pedestrian's location at the time of the accident can also be significant. Whether the pedestrian was inside a marked or unmarked crosswalk, walking along a roadway, crossing outside an intersection, or entering a parking lot traffic lane may affect the liability analysis.
After a pedestrian accident, an insurance company may investigate whether the injured person was distracted. An adjuster might ask whether the pedestrian was texting, wearing headphones, looking at a GPS application, or otherwise not paying attention.
These questions can be significant because an insurance provider may argue that the pedestrian should be held responsible for some percentage of the accident. As a result, pedestrians should provide truthful information about what happened. However, it may be helpful to understand the purpose of requests for statements, authorizations, or other information before responding. Statements made shortly after an accident may later become part of a liability dispute.
Pedestrians have little physical protection when struck by a motor vehicle. As a result, pedestrian accidents may cause injuries requiring significant medical care and treatment. Possible injuries may include but are not limited to the following.
The nature and extent of injuries may vary significantly from one case to another. In addition, medical records and other documentation may be relevant when evaluating the damages associated with a claim.
Depending on the circumstances, an injured pedestrian may seek compensation and support for legal damages associated with the accident. These may include past and future medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other losses permitted under California law.
The amount of recoverable damages often depends on factors such as liability, insurance coverage, the severity of the injuries, medical evidence, and the specific facts of the case. Comparative negligence may affect the amount ultimately recoverable if the pedestrian is found partially responsible.
It may be important to seek legal guidance and support after a pedestrian accident near or around your neighborhood. These types of accidents are more common than many people think and can result in severe or sometimes life-threatening injuries for individuals and their families. A legal professional may be able to explain applicable laws, review the specific facts of your case, and speak to insurance companies on your behalf. This may be beneficial during a difficult time such as a pedestrian accident.
Pedestrian accidents may involve multiple parties, challenging legal considerations, and various pieces of evidence. The personal injury attorneys of KAASS LAW are ready to help you understand your rights and the importance of maintaining evidence and documentation throughout your case. Our personal injury attorneys can help determine potentially liable parties, speak to insurance companies, and help you navigate the legal process moving forward. Call KAASS LAW today for a confidential consultation and to learn more about your case.
Wrongful death is a legal term that refers to a situation in which a person dies as the result of the negligent or intentional actions of another person or entity. Thus, the surviving family members may be able to bring a lawsuit against the responsible party. That's how they can seek the compensation they deserve. In order to succeed in a wrongful death claim, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant's actions caused the death. On the other hand, the plaintiff must prove that the death resulted in damages to the plaintiff. Damages in a wrongful death case may include financial losses such as lost wages and medical expenses. As well as non-economic losses such as pain and suffering and loss of consortium.
If you are part of a vehicle-pedestrian accident that ends in death, it is important to follow these steps:
It is important to remember that every accident is different, and the specific steps you should take will depend on the case. If you have any doubts about what to do, it is a good idea to consult with an attorney.
Wrongful death claims can arise in a variety of contexts, including motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, and criminal behavior. The specific laws governing wrongful death claims vary by state. So, it is important to consult with an attorney who is familiar with the laws. Call us today at 310.943.1171.