Oxnard Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Oxnard residents spend nearly 5 days of their life each year on crowded freeways and are faced with sky high gas prices, expensive parking, and dealing with distracted, dangerous drivers on the roads every day. It’s no wonder many people in the area favor walking as an alternate way to move around Oxnard on a regular basis. Walking is also popular in the area for its health benefits and environmentally friendly footprint. However, when pedestrian accidents occur, these benefits can be quickly outweighed by expensive, serious injuries or even death. The experienced Oxnard pedestrian accident attorneys at the Walch Law Group understand your situation and will start fighting for you as soon as we’re hired to get you the compensation and closure you deserve. Robert and Gary understand you have a lot of expenses to cover and will work to get you money quickly and avoid unnecessary delays in your case. Call us today to see why working with attorneys who have over 45 years of experience and a 95+% percent success rate is the best choice when you’re fighting for justice.
Pedestrian Risks in OxnardOxnard is a city that has drastically increased its walkability, especially in the downtown area. With community events like the Salsa Festival, the decision to bring in a large group of food trucks every week, and numerous restaurants, shops, parks, and coffee shops, downtown Oxnard has made every effort to be pedestrian friendly. However, even in pedestrian friendly areas, walkers must be sure to exercise extreme caution and look out for distracted drivers or worse. being a pedestrian in Oxnard does not come without risk. Earlier this year a pedestrian was struck and killed crossing the street by a vehicle near Ventura Boulevard and Fifth Street, and not long before that a pedestrian was intentionally hit and killed by a driver on Mariposa Street.
Winning Your Case for CompensationMost victims involved in Oxnard pedestrian accidents seek compensation for their injuries through a personal injury lawsuit. Though people may assert they deserve damages for a number of reasons, the most common argument is the defendant’s negligence caused the accident and their injuries. To establish negligence, you must prove:
- Defendant owed you a legal duty of care,
- They breached the duty through an act or failure to act, and
- Their breach caused you harm
You may also establish a presumption the defendant was negligent if they injured you while breaking a rule, law, or regulation intended to promote safety – this includes traffic laws an at-fault driver may have been breaking like:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Texting and driving
- Failing to yield
- Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign
It’s common to see catastrophic injuries (or worse) result from pedestrian accidents which require expensive, extensive treatment – the massive difference in size between pedestrians and vehicles, in conjunction with the fact pedestrians have no protection from any impact they sustain, should make massive medical bills no surprise. If you prove someone’s negligence caused the accident and your injuries, they’re generally liable for proven injuries. Victims may be entitled to compensation for injuries including:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral expenses or burial costs
- Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
- Permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
Pedestrian accidents are traumatic experiences, so you may not be aware of the next steps to take if one happens to you. However, even a few simple actions can immensely benefit both your physical recovery and any case for compensation you file in the future.
- Get medical help as soon as possible. This is true even if you don’t believe you were injured; a few injuries like traumatic brain injuries may present no symptoms for days but can be deadly if they are not diagnosed and treated
- Get the contact information of any eyewitnesses and drivers involved
- Get insurance information for any involved motorist
- If possible, take pictures of the scene where the accident occurred, any involved vehicles, and your injuries
- Notify law enforcement immediately
- Keep documents including hospital bills, police reports, receipts for expenses incurred such as medication, and paystubs reflecting lost wages.
In addition, it’s important you avoid doing certain things that could hurt your case and jeopardize any compensation you might otherwise receive. Avoid apologizing, speaking about whether you were hurt, saying you’re “okay” or “fine,” or giving recorded statements at all costs.
Get Started TodayAfter you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, it’s understandable you may be traumatized, overwhelmed, and confused about what you should do next. The Oxnard pedestrian accident lawyers at Walch Law know the situation well and are here to give you peace of mind, answer your questions, and explain the process to make sure you take the right steps. Robert and Gary are here to make sure you get the maximum possible compensation so you can focus on recovering from your physical and emotional injuries. Call today to get started!