West Covina Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident Attorney in West Covina, CA

Walking around West Covina should be one of the safest forms of transportation. Whether you’re crossing the street near West Covina Plaza, walking your kids to school, or just taking a stroll in Galster Wilderness Park, you expect other drivers to pay attention and follow the rules of the road. However, each year, pedestrians find themselves victims of an accident. Being injured in a pedestrian accident requires the legal assistance of a West Covina pedestrian accident lawyer.

About Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor

The West Covina personal injury lawyers at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor serve clients throughout Los Angeles County, including West Covina. For many years, we have been helping injury victims obtain successful results and giving back to the community. We handle pedestrian accidents, traffic collisions, product liability, premises liability, wrongful death, and other personal injury cases.

Managing partner Gregory R. Vanni is a recipient of the Consumer Attorneys of California’s Consumer Attorney of the Year Award. All of our lawyers are involved in bar associations and legal organizations. By hiring us, you can trust that you will be represented by seasoned trial attorneys who are passionate about standing up for the injured and their families.

Understanding Pedestrian Accident Laws in West Covina

Pedestrian accidents are one of the most severe types of accidents because a pedestrian has no physical protection from a motor vehicle. An impact with a car or truck can easily result in broken bones, spinal cord injuries, or traumatic brain injuries, and a pedestrian accident victim can be left with permanent and long-term disabilities.

West Covina’s streets, particularly Azusa Avenue and Amar Road, are extremely busy, and pedestrian accidents are frequent, particularly around intersections, crosswalks, and school zones. Pedestrian accidents typically occur when drivers do not yield properly to pedestrians on the road.

According to California law, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are crossing at crosswalks at intersections. However, pedestrians have a responsibility to cross responsibly and are not permitted to cross at a place that hinders traffic flow, unless it is a designated crosswalk. Jaywalking does not automatically prevent you from making a claim, but it can reduce the amount you are entitled to based on California’s comparative negligence.

Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can be caused by a number of reasons and can result in several different injuries. If a vehicle is larger and/or going at a higher speed, this can result in more serious injuries. Some common injuries in pedestrian accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Broken bones
• Fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Neck injuries
• Lacerations
• Bruises
• Wrongful death

Every case is different. The type and extent of injuries are often related to the speed of the vehicle, the point of impact, and the age and health of the victim. Our attorneys work with medical professionals to properly document all your injuries so we can seek full and fair compensation.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Many pedestrian accidents in West Covina are preventable. They are typically the result of drivers failing to pay attention or yield to walkers. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Distracted driving, such as texting and driving
• Failing to yield
• Reckless driving, such as speeding or running a red light or stop sign
• Backing out of a parking space without checking blind spots
• Driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol

Any of these can be termed negligence. Negligence forms the basis of most pedestrian accident claims. When a driver’s negligence causes injury, they, and usually the insurance company, are legally responsible for paying for the victim’s damages.

There were 7,522 pedestrian fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide in 2022. 1,158 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in California in 2022. The number of pedestrian deaths rose by 0.7 percent across the country from 2021 to 2022. California experienced a 1.8 percent reduction in pedestrian deaths from 2021 to 2022.

Liability in a Pedestrian Accident

Determining who is liable for a pedestrian accident is a crucial component of a personal injury claim. There are often multiple people or parties that can be found responsible. One of the most common defendants in a pedestrian accident is the driver who hit the pedestrian. When a driver who was texting, speeding, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol causes a pedestrian accident, they are typically found liable for damages.

In some cases, the driver’s employer may be held liable if the driver was acting in the course of their job at the time of the accident.

Municipalities can also be held responsible if traffic signals, sidewalks, or roads that were defective or improperly maintained played a role in the accident. Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor investigates each case thoroughly to ensure that everyone who bears responsibility for the accident is held accountable for their negligence.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in West Covina

If you are involved in a pedestrian accident, your actions following the incident can impact your case. Ensure you seek medical attention as soon as possible, even for minor injuries. Collect the driver’s information and contact details for any witnesses. Document the scene with photos of the vehicle and your injuries.

Report the accident to the police and your insurance company, but do not post about it on social media. Hire a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve evidence.

Why Hire a West Covina Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Insurance companies are in the business of reducing the amount of money they pay out in claims. An insurance adjuster could assert that your injuries appear minor while maintaining that you share blame for the pedestrian accident and that your medical care is both excessive and unnecessary. A West Covina car accident attorney is aware of these tactics and can push back on them on your behalf. A lawyer can do the following:

• Examine the evidence
• Negotiate with insurance companies
• Speak with medical professionals
• Determine your full range of damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any future expenses

Contact Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor Today

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor can help you get the compensation you need for recovery. Contact us today to get started.