San Bernardino Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

San Bernardino Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Bisnar Chase have over 40 years of experience fighting for our clients to ensure they are brought to justice and compensated appropriately.

Pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic if not fatal injuries. When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, it is the pedestrian who suffers severe or life-threatening injuries.

Pedestrian accident victims are left with escalating medical expenses, loss of income as a result of being unable to work while recovering, continuing treatment costs and long-term losses such as those that involve permanent injuries or disabilities.

Contact us to receive a Free Consultation.

Please contact us at 909-253-0750 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.

Unfortunately, because of mechanical issues, auto defects and human error, pedestrian accidents are inevitable. Here is a list of the Top 8 Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents:

1. Arterial Roads - With a high volume of auto and foot traffic at high rates of speeds in a condensed area, high-capacity urban roads have a high rate of hit and run pedestrian accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accident and many other situations that often result in serious or catastrophic injury.
2. Quiet Cars - As the advancement of technology increases, so do our cars. With electric cars and gas efficient hybrid gas-savers on the road everywhere you look, the practically silent automobiles can be a silent-killer. Pedestrians will turn their heads at loud exhausts and speeding cars with powerful engines, or if a car is sounding like it is approaching them too close for comfort, but if a motor vehicle isn't making any noise, and pedestrians and drivers are not paying attention, the automobile usually always comes out stronger of the two. Stay alert, stay alive.
3. Improper Lane Use - There are a few ways pedestrians and cyclist are forced into harms way. For instance road debris, reckless drivers, and bicycles can force others to jump out of the way, possibly into the way of a moving vehicle or off a high embankment.
4. Unmarked Crosswalks - Crosswalks are designed to highlight a safe yielding zone, appropriate for pedestrians to utilize in order to safely get from one side of the area, to the other. When in poorly identified crosswalks or jaywalk king, pedestrians expose themselves to a highly dangerous situation of possibly being struck, injured and killed by moving vehicles, motorcycles and or cyclist traveling at slow, normal or high speeds. Every circumstance is different, and all still potentially deadly.
5. Left-Hand Turns - Left-hand turns are always a dangerous situation for pedestrians, other drivers on the road, including motorcyclist and cyclist. The infamous left-hand turn is dangerous because of the blindspot, inability to observe the speed of the vehicle, cyclist or motorcycle, and can often times result in a serious or catastrophic injury in the blink of an eye. Many times this is due to inattention to the situation or upcoming road conditions, and because of the severity and high-volume of accidents from this situation, drivers are looking out for other cars and motorcycles, rather than pedestrians walking in the crosswalk, unattentaive to the vehicle about to race across the street before the oncoming traffic approaching is an issue.
6. Alcohol - Drivers and pedestrians who are under the influence of alcohol, drugs and medication are a danger to themselves and everyone around them. DUI's are a serious mark on your record and can even be given to individuals riding a bike intoxicated. Yes, you can even get a DUI while riding a bicycle. Intoxicated pedestrians can be inattentive and recklessly stumbling from side to side, possibly into the pathway of a moving vehicle, motorcycle or cyclist. This can result in the serious injury or death of the pedestrian, driver, passengers or innocent, unsuspecting and vulnerable pedestrians or drivers standing by.
7. Dark Clothes - Dark clothes make it more difficult to see you especially at night, dusk and dawn. This is because it makes you blend in to the darkness of the background. It is suggested to where bright, white and if possible reflective clothing if you use city streets to commute, whether you are walking, riding a bicycle or some other form of transportation.
8. Electronics - Electronics exist to somehow benefit and make certain aspects of our life easier, more accessible and stay in touch with friends, family, loved ones, the internet, our online social lives as well as in the event of an emergency. The only problem is human beings have become so dependant on electronics that we lose our sense of current time, reality and common sense more often then we'd like to admit. When walking through a parking lot, across a crosswalk, through a park or on the sidewalks, many people are so fixated on the screen of their smart phones, tablets and electronic devices, we fail to stay alert for any possible dangers like reckless drivers, redlight runners, out of control or speeding cyclist or vehicles and don't have the ability to avoid potentially dangerous or even deadly situations by jumping out of the way or warning others. Having headphones in your ears is very popular among drivers, runners and cyclist, but makes it incredibly difficult and many time impossible to warn headphone-wearers of any dangers about to affect them.

Getting the Help You Need

If you or a loved one has been injured in a San Bernardino pedestrian accident, the San Bernardino Personal Injury Lawyers at Bisnar Chase can help you better understand your legal rights and options.

We have a long and successful track record of helping our injured pedestrian accident victims obtain fair and full compensation for all their injuries, damages and losses.

Please contact our personal injury attorneys at 909-253-0750 for a Free, comprehensive and confidential consultation.

What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident?

There are several important traffic safety steps you would be well advised to take if you've been injured in a pedestrian accident:

• First and foremost, make sure you and the other injured individuals are in a safe place. Contact emergency personnel so you and others who have been injured can get medical attention right away.
• If you are able, exchange contact information such as names, phone numbers and insurance information.
• If anyone saw the incident, make sure you obtain his or her identification and contact information as well.
• Take photos of the accident scene including the position of the vehicles, the roadway and your injuries.
• Preserve important evidence such as torn or bloody clothing.
• Avoid talking extensively with those at the scene. Do not admit fault.
• Make sure you contribute to the police report so that your version of the incident gets into the report. Obtain a copy of the report.
• Get prompt medical attention and diagnostics. Follow the doctor's instructions in terms of getting the necessary treatment and care.
• Keep track of all expenses from emergency care costs and medical bills to lost wages and other costs relating to the injury.
• Talk to an experienced San Bernardino pedestrian accident attorney before any insurance companies regarding your legal rights and options.

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?

The most common cause of pedestrian accidents is driver negligence. Specifically, a number of pedestrian accidents are caused by a driver's failure to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks or intersections.

Under the state of California Vehicle Code Section 21950 (a), motorists are required to stop and yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians who are walking in marked or unmarked crosswalks.

At the same time, pedestrians have a responsibility to walk only in designated areas and not to jaywalk or run into the roadway. Drivers must also yield the right-of-way to pedestrians when they are entering or exiting parking lots or driveways.

A number of pedestrian accidents occur when drivers fail to see pedestrians crossing driveways as they walk on sidewalks. Serious injury pedestrian accidents also occur when drivers back out of parking stalls.

In some cases, dangerous roadway design or lack of features such as flashing lights or stop signs could cause pedestrian accidents.

Who is Liable?

If the driver is determined to have been negligent or at fault for a pedestrian accident, he or she can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused.

Even if the pedestrian and driver share fault, the injured pedestrian can receive compensation depending on the proportionality of the fault.

If a dangerous roadway condition caused the pedestrian accident, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable.

Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the incident.

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death

In pedestrian accident cases in San Bernardino where negligence or wrongdoing is a factor, families of deceased victims can file what is known as a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages such as medical and funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love and companionship.

Wrongful death claims are typically filed by immediate family members.

Preventing Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians must cross streets only at intersections and marked crosswalks. Do not cross in the middle of a street or between cars. Continuously watch for traffic as you cross the street.

Avoid walking on roads without sidewalks and crosswalks. If you must do so, walk facing traffic. Always look both ways before crossing the street.

Enhance your visibility at night or in the dark by wearing reflective or bright clothing. Follow the rules of the road.

Drivers must remember that they can encounter pedestrians anywhere and at any time. Pay attention to crosswalks and come to a complete stop to allow pedestrians who are crossing.

Pay attention to traffic controls. Yield to pedestrians even if there is no crosswalk. Be particularly attentive around schools and neighborhoods where there are children present.

Let Bisnar Chase Represent You

Bisnar Chase has a very well-established name and reputation for representing clients who have been injured in pedestrian accidents.

Our Southern California law firm offers a promise, that you don't pay, unless We Win Your Case.

Our San Bernardino Pedestrian Accident Lawyers have over 39 years of experience, have won over $500 Million for our clients and a 96% Success Rate.

Please contact the personal injury law offices of Bisnar Chase at 909-253-0750 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights pedestrian, car or truck accident case.

You can also reach us at our Los Angeles or Orange County law offices.