If you have been struck by a car, you may be facing injuries and physical limitations that affect nearly every part of your daily life. You may require extensive medical treatment and ongoing care. You may not be able to work while recovering, and that can mean mounting debt.
Activities such as caring for family members or completing household tasks may be impossible. It’s tough to bear when a negligent driver brings so much hardship into your life. Our Bakersfield pedestrian accident lawyers can help you hold them accountable for your damages.
Sweet James has experience helping injured accident victims for over 25 years. Real Lawyers. Real Results. Call today for your free consultation and learn more about how our California pedestrian accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Why You Need an Attorney After a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian accident injuries often result in substantial damage. The insurer for the at-fault party may dispute how the collision occurred or try to say that you caused the accident. Even if they offer a settlement, it will likely be much lower than what your claim is worth.
They may question the severity of injuries or argue that a certain medical treatment was unrelated to the collision. In some cases, the insurer may attempt to use California’s comparative negligence laws to place partial fault on you and reduce your claim.
It is challenging to take on an insurer by yourself, especially when you are recovering from injuries. Our pedestrian accident lawyers know their playbook and how to push back against insurance company tactics. We are on your side when the insurance company isn’t.
How Our Legal Team Can Help
Our team can investigate your accident and develop evidence showing how the driver caused the crash. Pedestrian cases often involve questions about crosswalk use, visibility, and driver compliance with California traffic laws.
We will review police reports, talk to witnesses, and consult experts when questions arise about who is responsible. If the collision occurred near a security camera, we will review the video footage to determine what happened.
Our personal injury lawyers will also assess the full impact of your injuries. Pedestrian accidents frequently result in extensive medical treatment and reduced earning capacity. We will document those losses and present them as part of your claim.
Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Case
A pedestrian accident claim may include compensation for both economic and non-economic damages resulting from the collision. The value of your claim depends on factors such as injury severity, future medical needs, and the extent of financial losses.
Thorough documentation helps establish the damages associated with the pedestrian accident. Our Bakersfield personal injury lawyers will help you collect important evidence that will prove the extent of your losses.
Economic Damages
These typically include the expenses you have paid or will owe as a result of your accident, such as:
- Medical visits
- Emergency care and hospitalization
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Prescription medication
- Assistive devices
- Future treatment needs
You may also recover lost wages and diminished earning capacity when your injuries prevent a return to work or limit future employment opportunities. Our Bakersfield pedestrian accident attorneys will account for all aspects of your financial losses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are meant to compensate you for the personal impact of your injuries. You might endure pain and suffering and a loss of enjoyment in daily activities. Compensation may reflect how these injuries influence your quality of life.
Timelines for Filing Your Claim
In California, the deadline to sue someone for most pedestrian accidents is two years from the date of the collision. If a lawsuit is not filed within that period, you may lose the ability to pursue compensation through the court system.
Different deadlines may apply in certain situations. If a government entity is responsible for the accident, you often need to submit a formal claim within a shorter time frame. This can happen if dangerous road conditions or other public property issues contributed to the pedestrian collision.
Waiting too long can also make it more difficult to obtain evidence. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Bakersfield keep your claim on track and make sure you don’t miss important deadlines.
Our Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
A pedestrian accident can leave you with mounting medical expenses and lost income. You might require extensive medical treatment and lengthy rehabilitation. The aftermath of a collision can affect nearly every aspect of life.
The at-fault driver’s insurer should be there to cover your damages. Instead, they often look for ways to reduce or deny valid claims. Our Bakersfield pedestrian accident attorneys can evaluate the full extent of your losses and pursue the maximum available compensation.
Getting hit by a car is a harrowing experience that can reverberate for months or years. Our team at Sweet James is ready to deliver personalized service focused on you. Call today to schedule your free consultation and tell us how we can help with your pedestrian accident case.
