Were you injured while walking by a vehicle or poorly managed property? Pedestrians often suffer significant wounds after these incidents due to lack of protection. Thousands are injured or die every year from accidents. While pedestrians are not always blameless, these accidents are usually caused by negligent drivers.
When you are injured by this type of event, you may be entitled to compensation. There are many causes of these accidents, and some are more common than others. However, every case is different. Contact a skilled attorney today to learn about common causes of pedestrian accidents in San Mateo, and to find out if your case makes for a strong lawsuit.
There are many causes for pedestrian accidents, but a major one is reckless driving. Drivers easily overlook pedestrians when they are distracted by cellphones, crying children, or their GPS device. When motorists fail to abide by traffic laws, like speeding or driving under the influence, they put pedestrians further at risk. They can strike pedestrians directly or hit other cars, medians, and sidewalks, leading to the injury of bystanders.
Another common reason for pedestrian accidents is poor weather. Inclement weather can easily cause a driver to lose visibility of the road and bystanders. Snow and ice can create slippery roads, causing cars to crash into nearby people and objects. If the roads are in bad condition due to negligence by the local government, that can exacerbate the damage a car experiences when control of their vehicles is already threatened by dangerous weather. A trained San Mateo lawyer understands the common causes of pedestrian accidents and could inform you about how that can affect your case.
Liability is when someone or something is responsible for an event’s occurrence. In the legal world, the liable party often compensates for the harm they have caused to others through their negligence or recklessness. In most pedestrian accidents, drivers are liable for the accident, as they have a responsibility to everyone on the road. When they break the law and hurt someone, the pedestrian can seek damages, otherwise known as compensation. For example, if a driver fails to yield to a pedestrian or chooses to drive on a sidewalk, they are liable.
However, sometimes a pedestrian is liable for a collision. For example, people think that pedestrians always have the right of way, but that is false. If it is dark outside and a pedestrian is wearing all black, and a driver is going at a reasonable speed yet strikes the pedestrian, the driver may not be liable. The pedestrian may be responsible instead, since the driver could not have seen them in time to stop. A good lawyer could account for the pedestrian’s actions, if they caused the accident, and what the effect would be on the outcome of the case in San Mateo.
Experiencing injury in an accident as a bystander can be overwhelming. Sometimes people question why these accidents happened, and doubt that they can receive compensation. However, it is best to consult with a legal professional who knows common causes of pedestrian accidents in San Mateo and could help relieve your stress. Reach out to one of our attorneys for more information today.
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