Winnetka Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Even though cars are the cornerstone of Southern California transportation, one look at a crowded freeway during rush hour is enough to make anyone wonder how driving here holds any appeal. Many residents of Winnetka choose to walk when possible in order to avoid gridlock, stay off dangerous roads, get exercise and fresh air, and save money on fuel. When things go wrong, however, and you’re injured in a pedestrian accident, those benefits disappear quickly to make way for medical bills, pain, and financial stress. The experienced Winnetka pedestrian accident lawyers at Walch Law understand you’ve been put in a difficult situation, so we will work hard to get you the check and closure you deserve. Robert and Gary have over 45 years of experience working to get justice for clients with a 95+% success rate, and they’ll put those years to work for you. Contact us today to learn more!

Winnetka is a small area of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley with just over 55,000 residents. Though it’s not known as a pedestrian paradise, most errands can be accomplished by walking in the city. Unfortunately, residents and visitors who do choose to walk run the risk of encountering distracted, dangerous drivers and being hurt in an accident. Just this year, a woman was struck and killed by a vehicle as she attempted to cross the Winnetka Avenue and Saticoy Street intersection. This intersection, along with Winnetka Avenue and Sherman Way, make up the most dangerous spots for pedestrians in town and show the risk of an accident is very real.

When you’ve been hurt because of someone’s negligence, it’s only natural to want compensation for your injuries. Pedestrian accident victims usually pursue it through a personal injury lawsuit. To establish negligence and liability, you need to prove the defendant owed you a legal duty of care, breached it by act or omission, and their breach caused you injury.

It’s also possible to sidestep proving the usual elements of negligence if you have evidence that the defendant injured you while they were breaking a law, regulation, or rule meant to protect people. For pedestrians, this can be particularly helpful if you were hit by a driver breaking traffic laws, including:

• Texting and driving
• Failure to yield
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Speeding
• Running a red light

Compared to cars and other vehicles, pedestrians don’t stand a chance. Not only are cars much larger, they offer occupants a substantial amount of structural protection should an accident occur. Victims often face catastrophic injuries if they’re lucky enough to survive an accident involving a vehicle.

Courts understand the magnitude of damages suffered by pedestrians, so if a party is proven to be at-fault for their injuries and is liable for damages, victims may receive an award of compensatory damages. Courts may award compensation for injuries including:

• Medical expenses
• Funeral costs
• Lost wages
• Disability or disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

After you’ve been involved in an accident, you may feel confused. In the cloud of emotions that follow a traumatic event, it’s important you remember to do a few things to strengthen your case, help yourself recover physically, and avoid costly pitfalls.

• Call 911 if anyone is injured.
• Notify law enforcement and cooperate with the responding officers.
• Get contact information from witnesses and all occupants of involved vehicles
• Get the driver’s license, vehicle, and insurance information
• Take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries
• Seek medical attention even if you think you are uninjured. Some injuries, such as brain injuries, may not show symptoms for days but can kill you if left untreated.
• Don’t apologize, admit fault, post about the accident on social medica, comment about your health or whether you were injured, or give recorded statements.

After you’ve been hit by a car or otherwise injured as a pedestrian, it’s only natural to be traumatized, overwhelmed, and unsure of the right moves to make to protect your rights and secure the maximum possible compensation for your injuries. In times like this, turn to the experienced Winnetka pedestrian accident lawyers at Walch Law to get a team on your side who will use their knowledge, resources, and skill to put forward the best case possible on your behalf. We’ll start working for you from the moment we’re hired to get the result you deserve so you can focus on your physical and mental recovery. Contact us today to get started!