GJEL accident lawyer Luke Ellis represented a pedestrian injured while crossing a breezeway at Alameda Hospital in Alameda, California. Subsequent to her injury during the accident, our client developed Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, a condition from which she had previously suffered eight years prior to the accident. Attorney Luke Ellis aggressively pursued the insurance policies of the driver of the truck which struck our client, the driver’s employer, and Alameda Hospital. The case result of $730,000 covered our client’s past and future medical damages, wage loss, and pain and suffering.
What do you need to know about pedestrian injuries in Alameda?
In 2017, pedestrian injuries were a concern in Alameda, California, with a total of eight incidents being reported. Out of these eight cases, six of them occurred at intersections, which highlights the importance of being cautious while crossing the street. The most common type of injury reported in Alameda that year was hit-and-run accidents, with four people reporting this type of injury. This highlights the need for better road safety measures and stricter penalties for hit-and-run drivers.
The average age of pedestrians who got hurt in Alameda in 2017 was 39 years old, which shows that anyone can fall victim to a pedestrian injury accident. The speed of the vehicles involved in these accidents was 25 mph, which suggests that even low speed collisions can have devastating effects on pedestrians.
Most of the pedestrian injury accidents in Alameda in 2017 occurred during daylight hours, with 75% of them happening when it was light outside. This highlights the need for better road safety measures during the day, when most people are likely to be out and about. The average time when these accidents happened was 5:00 pm, which is a busy time for most people as they return home from work or head out to run errands.
The majority of pedestrian injury accidents in Alameda in 2017 involved a vehicle turning left while the person was walking. This highlights the need for drivers to be more cautious while turning and to always be on the lookout for pedestrians. Drivers should also be aware of their surroundings and anticipate the actions of other road users, including pedestrians.
In conclusion, the facts and figures from 2017 highlight the need for better road safety measures and increased caution for both drivers and pedestrians in Alameda. By taking steps to prevent pedestrian injuries, we can make our roads safer for everyone and reduce the number of accidents and injuries in the future.
What are the most common pedestrian injuries involving vehicles?
Pedestrian accidents involving vehicles can result in serious injuries and fatalities, making them a major concern for people living in Alameda County and other parts of California. In order to understand the most common pedestrian injuries involving vehicles, it is important to have accurate information about these incidents. With this information, victims and their families can take the necessary steps to hold drivers liable and pursue a lawsuit or settlement.
One of the most common types of pedestrian injuries involving vehicles is a “hit and run.” This occurs when a driver strikes a pedestrian and then flees the scene, leaving the victim with serious injuries and no way to hold the driver accountable. Drivers who flee the scene of an accident can face criminal charges and can also be held liable in a civil lawsuit.
Another common type of pedestrian injury is a collision at an intersection. Intersections are often considered injury corridors because they are where many people cross the street, and where drivers may be making turns or changing lanes. This can increase the risk of a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian. In many cases, drivers are liable for these accidents if they fail to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk or if they make a turn without properly checking for pedestrians.
Crosswalks are another common area for pedestrian injuries involving vehicles. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, but many motorists fail to do so, resulting in collisions that can cause serious injuries. In some cases, the government may be liable for pedestrian injuries that occur in crosswalks if there are issues with the design or maintenance of the crosswalk.
In order to obtain compensation for pedestrian injuries involving vehicles, victims and their families may need to file a lawsuit or negotiate a settlement with the driver or their insurance company. This can be a complex and time-consuming process, and it is important to have a knowledgeable personal injury attorney on your side.
Pedestrian injuries involving vehicles can result in serious injuries and fatalities, and are a major concern for people living in Alameda County and other parts of California. By understanding the most common types of pedestrian injuries and holding drivers accountable, victims and their families can obtain the compensation they deserve and help prevent future accidents.
How can you avoid being injured by a vehicle as a pedestrian?
As a pedestrian, there are several steps you can take to avoid being injured by a vehicle. These include:
- Always use crosswalks: When crossing the street, make sure to use designated crosswalks. This will help increase your visibility to drivers and increase your chances of being seen.
- Pay attention to your surroundings: Be aware of your surroundings at all times and look both ways before crossing the street. Avoid distractions like your phone or headphones, which can make it difficult to hear approaching vehicles.
- Make eye contact with drivers: Before crossing the street, try to make eye contact with drivers to ensure that they see you and are aware of your presence.
- Wear reflective clothing: When walking at night, make sure to wear reflective clothing or carry a flashlight to increase your visibility to drivers.
- Follow traffic signals: When crossing the street, follow traffic signals and wait for the “walk” signal before crossing. This will help ensure that drivers have a clear view of you and are aware of your intentions.
- Avoid walking under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Impairment can affect your judgment and reaction time, making it more difficult to avoid accidents.
- Use sidewalks: If possible, use sidewalks instead of walking on the road. This will help increase your visibility to drivers and decrease your chances of being hit by a vehicle.
- Be aware of large vehicles: Large vehicles like buses and trucks have larger blind spots, so be extra cautious when crossing the street near these vehicles.
By following these steps, you can help increase your safety as a pedestrian and decrease your chances of being injured by a vehicle. However, it is important to remember that even the most careful pedestrians can still be involved in accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney who can help you understand your rights and options for compensation.
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Since 1972 he has been helping seriously injured victims throughout northern California fight & win their personal injury cases. Andy is one of the top awarded & recognized wrongful death lawyers in northern California.