Pomona Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Pomona’s beautiful, tree-lined, and pedestrian-friendly area has had more traffic lately, and it’s unfortunately increasingly common for a pedestrian to be hit by a car. If you have been an accident victim, an experienced Pomona pedestrian accident lawyer can discuss your eligibility for compensation through a legal claim.
The friendly team at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell LLP can advocate for your rights as a pedestrian and help you pursue the compensation you deserve after an accident. You can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney to discuss your accident.
What California Laws Address Pedestrians?
Under Chapter 5, Division 11 of the California Vehicle Code, a pedestrian must exercise due care for their own safety. They can’t delay traffic by unexpectedly stopping in the middle of a crosswalk or unexpectedly leaving the sidewalk to step in front of an approaching vehicle.
If a pedestrian is at a crosswalk or intersection in California, they have the right-of-way. Pedestrians can cross when given the signal to walk, and they must yield to vehicles at red lights and “DON’T WALK” signs.
California drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and intersections and exercise reasonable care to keep pedestrians safe.
Generally, all drivers and pedestrians are expected to act reasonably to keep themselves and those around them safe. However, some actions often result in pedestrian accidents.
What Are Some Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Pomona?
Oftentimes, pedestrian accidents are preventable. If a driver acts negligently when operating their vehicle, they can hit a pedestrian and cause serious injuries.
Some common causes of pedestrian accidents in the Pomona area include:
- Driver negligence. This includes distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, or running traffic signals. Busy streets like Garey Avenue or Holt Avenue and Pomona’s proximity to major highways like I-10 likely result in distracted drivers that increase the risk to pedestrians.
- Jaywalking. With a dense urban layout and large college student population of Cal Poly Pomona, Claremont McKenna College, and Western University, many pedestrians are in the area regularly. This can increase jaywalking, especially when crosswalks are inconvenient or hard to find.
- Poor visibility. Poor visibility can be a major cause of accidents, particularly if pedestrians are wearing dark clothing or city streets have inadequate lighting. Students tend to be active at night, which further exacerbates this issue.
- Impaired driving or walking. On weekends or during large events at the Fairplex, alcohol or drug impairment can be a significant factor in pedestrian accidents.
- Intersection dangers. With busy intersections near downtown or the campus areas, accidents involving pedestrians can happen when drivers fail to yield or if they misjudge pedestrian movement.
- Environment. Although Pomona’s climate is generally mild, occasional rain or ongoing construction close to high-traffic areas may contribute to accidents involving pedestrians if surfaces become slippery or if normal pedestrian behavior changes.
- Reckless driving. Reversing without looking or speeding in a school zone.
While driving, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and any pedestrians in the area. Innocent pedestrians can be hurt due to a variety of reasons. If you were hurt while walking, a personal injury claim can help you get the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Who Is Responsible for a Pedestrian Accident?
Many different parties might be legally responsible for your injuries from a pedestrian accident, including:
- Driver(s)
- The city of Pomona
- A company
- A government entity
If you need to discuss who is responsible for your pedestrian accident, an experienced personal injury attorney can help.
Should I Consult an Attorney?
If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you can typically pursue economic recovery for medical bills and wage loss and non-economic recovery for pain and suffering and emotional distress.
A Pomona attorney with experience handling slip-and-fall cases can discuss the types of financial recovery available in your case and work to maximize damages.
Should I Consult a Pomona Slip-and-Fall Attorney?
After a pedestrian accident, an attorney can help handle your personal injury claim and get you the compensation you deserve. They can increase your likelihood of success with your case and maximize your recovery compensation to help with your medical expenses.
Pomona Pedestrian Accident FAQs
Q: What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Pomona, CA?
A: If you’re in a pedestrian accident in Pomona, you should call the City of Pomona Police Department and get emergency medical attention. You can document the accident scene, including taking photos of the car that hit you. You can get contact information for the at-fault driver and any eyewitnesses.
Keep track of your medical expenses and avoid discussing anything on your social media. Consider contacting a trusted pedestrian accident attorney right away. These actions can help with your financial recovery later.
Q: What Injuries Commonly Happen in Pedestrian Accidents in Pomona?
A: Common injuries in Pomona pedestrian accidents include skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, back and neck injuries, spinal cord issues, road rash, lacerations, and internal organ damage. Each case is different, and your injuries typically depend on the car’s speed, the impact severity, and how you land. An attorney can discuss pursuing the compensation you need after a catastrophic personal injury accident.
Q: What Types of Recovery Can I Get After a Pedestrian Accident?
A: After a pedestrian accident, you may be able to pursue economic damages (lost wages and medical treatment bills) and non-economic damages (emotional distress and pain and suffering). An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can discuss all the possible methods of recovery you might be eligible for. They can also increase your likelihood of winning your case.
Q: What Should I Do if a Loved One Died After a Pedestrian Accident?
A: If your loved one unfortunately died after a pedestrian accident, you might be eligible to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. Although money won’t remedy your loss, you can get compensation to help pay for the cost of a funeral, the loss of companionship, and more. Consult an experienced pedestrian accident attorney to discuss a wrongful death claim further.
Contact Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell LLP to Discuss Your Pedestrian Accident – Free Consultations
The legal team at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell LLP represents victims of slip-and-fall personal injury accidents residing in Pomona and throughout Southern California. Our attorneys have over three decades of experience handling personal injury matters.
Our Pasadena office is right in the heart of the South Lake Avenue district near Pomona, just a few miles from Downtown Pasadena and Old Pasadena. We’re near Caltech and Pasadena City College, directly off historic Route 66 (Colorado Blvd) and the 210 and 110 freeways. Come visit us anytime about your slip-and-fall accident.
Connect with our team to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney in the Pomona, California area. We are excited to get started building your case.