Fresno Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you were a pedestrian hit by a car or truck in Fresno while walking down the street, then you could be entitled to file a claim against the reckless driver and pursue maximum compensation. As local pedestrian accident lawyers, it would be our honor to be the legal team that pursues that compensation on your behalf.

Our Fresno pedestrian accident lawyers have 40 years of combined experience helping people resolve all sorts of injury claims, including those related to traffic incidents and pedestrian accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian, call Fowler | Helsel | Vogt today or contact us online to discuss your case with a Fresno personal injury lawyer during a free consultation.

Why Choose Fowler | Helsel | Vogt After a Fresno Pedestrian Accident?

After a pedestrian incident, choosing the right legal team can make a difference in how your claim is handled. Fowler | Helsel | Vogt brings experience, local knowledge, and a commitment to helping injured clients pursue the compensation they deserve.

• Over $100 million won: Our attorneys have recovered more than $100 million in results for clients in personal injury cases.
• 40 years of combined experience: Our legal team brings more than four decades of combined experience handling injury claims.
• Since 2010: Fowler | Helsel | Vogt has served injured clients since 2010, building a strong reputation through years of legal experience.
• Local to you: We are proud to serve Fresno and surrounding Central Valley communities. Our local knowledge helps us understand the roads, intersections, and communities where pedestrian accidents happen.

Why Do You Need a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Fresno, CA?

Being involved in a pedestrian accident can be a life-altering event, resulting in serious injuries, medical expenses, and emotional trauma. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Fresno, it is crucial to have a lawyer by your side to protect your rights and help you face the legal process.

Here are some reasons why you should hire a pedestrian accident attorney Fresno residents trust:

• Insight into pedestrian accident laws: Laws regarding pedestrian accidents can be complicated and vary from state to state. A local attorney will have in-depth knowledge of the laws specific to Fresno and the state of California and can use this knowledge to build a strong case on your behalf.
• Investigation and gathering evidence: A skilled attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, gathering evidence such as witness statements, surveillance footage, and accident reports. This evidence can prove liability and secure fair compensation for your injuries.
• Negotiating with insurance companies: Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, as they often try to minimize their payout or deny insurance claims altogether. A lawyer will handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf, ensuring that your rights are protected.
• Maximizing your compensation: In a pedestrian accident claim, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. An attorney will know how to accurately assess the value of your case and fight for the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
• Peace of mind: Dealing with the aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming and stressful. By hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer, you can focus on your recovery while knowing that a professional handles your legal matters in your best interests.

At Fowler | Helsel | Vogt, our team of dedicated pedestrian accident lawyers in Fresno is here to help you every step of the way.

We understand your challenges and will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact our personal injury team today for a free consultation.

Catastrophic Injuries Suffered in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians have no protection against the impact of a vehicle. The full force of the collision can do severe damage in the blink of an eye. It is not uncommon for people in pedestrian accidents to suffer catastrophic, life-changing injuries that require extensive and expensive medical treatments and therapies.

Pedestrian accident victims are often diagnosed with:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Multiple broken bones
• Organ damage
• Permanent scarring

Beyond the physical injuries, affected individuals often face significant psychological impacts, such as PTSD or anxiety, when crossing the street. Emotional and psychological support is often necessary alongside physical recovery, highlighting the many facets of trauma that pedestrian accident victims endure.

Pedestrian accidents can cause fatal injuries as well. Our personal injury team can carefully manage your wrongful death claim if your loved one was hit by a reckless, drunk, or distracted driver and passed away from their injuries.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Awareness of the common causes of pedestrian incidents can help you take necessary precautions and avoid potential dangers. At Fowler | Helsel | Vogt, our Fresno pedestrian accident lawyers have handled numerous cases and can provide valuable insight into the causes of these incidents.

Some common causes include:

• Distracted driving: Drivers texting, talking on the phone, or engaging in other distractions may fail to notice pedestrians.
• Failure to yield: Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or intersections can cause severe accidents.
• Speeding: Drivers who exceed the speed limit may have reduced reaction time, making it challenging to avoid colliding with pedestrians.
• Drunk driving: Intoxicated drivers often have impaired judgment and decreased coordination, increasing the risk of pedestrian injuries.
• Poor visibility: Low lighting conditions, inadequate street lighting, or obstructed views can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians.

Additionally, adverse weather conditions like rain or fog can exacerbate these issues, further reducing driver visibility and making streets challenging for pedestrians to traverse safely. Urban design and infrastructure also significantly impact pedestrian safety.

Areas lacking designated crosswalks or pedestrian signals may inadvertently encourage dangerous crossings at unsuitable locations.

Seeking Compensation for Your Injuries

If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian incident, it is essential to understand that you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Fresno can help you face the legal process and fight for your deserved compensation.

Types of compensation that may be available in pedestrian accident cases include:

• Medical expenses: This includes the cost of hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and any future medical treatment that may be necessary.
• Lost wages: If your injuries have caused you to miss work, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost income.
• Pain and suffering: Pedestrian incidents can result in significant physical and emotional pain. Compensation may be available to help you recover and cope with these damages.
• Property damage: If any of your personal belongings, such as your phone or clothing, were damaged in the accident, you may be able to recover the cost of repairing or replacing them.
• Wrongful death: In the tragic event that a pedestrian accident results in the death of a loved one, certain family members may be eligible to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim.

Working with a Fresno pedestrian injury lawyer ensures that your rights are protected and you have the best chance of receiving fair compensation for your injuries. Contact Fowler | Helsel | Vogt today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case with a Fresno personal injury lawyer.

Types of Pedestrian Knockdown Accidents

Vehicle drivers are not the only offenders of pedestrian incidents. Pedestrians face a variety of hazards and are injured in knockdown accidents daily.

Some ways that pedestrians are commonly knocked down include:

• Bikers on sidewalks
• Uncontrolled or unleashed dogs
• Electric scooter (Bird or Lime) accidents
• City buses or trucks with large mirrors that extend over the sidewalk
• Physical fights on the street
• Tripping hazards
• Distracted driving

If you were injured as a pedestrian because of another person’s negligent actions, you may have legal grounds to file a personal injury claim and seek compensation.

After being injured, your job should always focus on getting better, not stressing over the legal obstacles that may present themselves and stand in the way of your recovery. At Fowler | Helsel | Vogt, our legal team has decades of experience fighting for justice for injured pedestrians and their families.

Can You Sue If You Are Partially to Blame in a Pedestrian Accident?

Pedestrians sometimes step into the road abruptly, right in front of an approaching car, and get hit. Mistakes happen, but situations like these are not usually so straightforward. The motorist and the pedestrian often did something negligent that contributed to the accident.

Can you still file an insurance claim if you are partially to blame for your pedestrian accident? The answer is yes in California due to its pure comparative negligence rule.

Under this legal rule, you can sue another liable party in an accident even if your liability is 99% and their liability is 1%. Pure comparative negligence is especially important for pedestrian incidents because the pedestrian has likely suffered far worse damages than the driver.

Example of Pure Comparative Negligence

Consider this example of how pure comparative negligence rules might work for a pedestrian accident:

• Dividing liability: You step into the road suddenly while looking at your phone and are hit from behind by a large mail truck. They are driving over the speed limit. It is decided that you are 80% at fault for the accident, and the driver is 20% at fault.
• Dividing damages: Your medical bills and missing wages from the accident total $100,000. The damage to the driver’s car is minimal and costs only $1,000. If you wanted to sue, you could sue for $20,000, which is 20% of your total damages. The driver could only sue you for $800, 80% of their damages.

In this example, you are found to be mostly negligent for the accident but have suffered the most damages, so pursuing compensation could still be an option. However, injury claims only become more and more complicated and challenging to win the higher your liability. Ideally, your liability will be 0%.

Understanding The Duty of All Pedestrians

Everyone is required to follow the rules of the road, including pedestrians. According to California Vehicle Code 21955, pedestrians must use crosswalks at intersections with traffic lights or police. This makes the act of jaywalking illegal; some examples include:

• Crossing outside of the designated crosswalk area
• Crossing the road when the light says or indicates “do not cross.”
• Running across the street 15 or more feet away from a marked crosswalk

Adhering to these laws is about legality and safety in increasingly busy and motorized environments. To stay safe, pedestrians must remain alert and avoid distractions such as mobile devices.

A jaywalking pedestrian who is hit by a car and injured can still pursue compensation against the driver. Still, due to California’s comparative negligence laws, their total damages may be reduced by their percentage of fault in the accident.

Shared Fault in Pedestrian Accidents

Keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to determining fault in a pedestrian accident involving a jaywalker. Typically, several factors dictate what either the driver or the pedestrian should have done to prevent the accident.

For instance, if a vehicle driver is texting while driving and speeding down the highway when they collide with a jaywalker, it would most likely be considered the driver’s fault for not obeying the law and failing to remain vigilant while behind the wheel.

However, if a driver obeys all traffic laws with their eyes vigilantly on the road when a person darts out in front of their vehicle, the pedestrian may share a higher percentage of the fault. Ultimately, an attorney is needed to determine what percentage of fault a pedestrian played in a pedestrian-vehicle collision.

What Are Some Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries We Can Represent?

Accidents involving pedestrians can cause severe injuries that require immediate medical care and long-term treatment. Fowler | Helsel | Vogt can represent clients suffering from injuries such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Broken bones and fractures
• Organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Amputations
• Paralysis
• Neck and back injuries
• Burn injuries
• Lacerations and deep cuts
• Crush injuries
• Joint and ligament damage
• Facial injuries
• Nerve damage
• Permanent disabilities

After a severe injury such as a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or even after losing a loved one in a wrongful death case, you shouldn’t be left to face hefty medical bills on your own. Contact our firm today to get the help you deserve.

What to Expect During the Legal Process for a Pedestrian Accident in Fresno, CA

Understanding what to expect after filing a pedestrian injury claim in Fresno can help you feel more prepared as your case moves forward. While every claim is different, most pedestrian injury cases involve several common steps.

Initial Consultation

The process usually begins with a consultation. Your personal injury attorney will go over what happened, hear your concerns, and explain the legal options available to you.

Investigating the Accident

Next, your attorney gathers evidence to support your claim. This may include accident reports, witness statements, medical records, photographs, and other records from the collision scene.

Your Fresno pedestrian accident lawyer may also review local traffic laws and conditions in Fresno. This can include looking at busy areas such as Bullard Avenue or intersections near the courthouse district.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies

After gathering evidence, your personal injury attorney can communicate and negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf. The goal is to pursue fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, injuries, and other losses.

Filing a Lawsuit

If the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, filing a lawsuit may be an option. A pedestrian injury case may proceed through Fresno County Superior Court, depending on the circumstances.

Moving Your Case Forward

Your Fresno pedestrian accident lawyer can keep you updated as your claim moves forward. This includes important deadlines, new case developments, and decisions that could affect your claim. Staying in communication can help you understand your options and decide what to do next.

Pedestrian Safety Initiatives & Key Fresno Locations

Fresno has taken steps to improve pedestrian safety. City projects include adding crosswalks and pedestrian signals in areas with heavy foot traffic, including near schools and downtown. The goal is simple: make these areas safer for people walking and driving and help cut down on pedestrian incidents.

Key pedestrian areas in Fresno, such as the Tower District, River Park, and local parks like Woodward Park, are focal points for safety improvements. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian incident, don’t wait to call Fowler | Helsel | Vogt.

Get a Free Consultation With a Fresno Pedestrian Accident Attorney

If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident in the Central Valley, our Fresno pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to assist you with your case.

Contact Fowler | Helsel | Vogt today to get a free consultation with a Fresno pedestrian accident attorney. We can review what happened, answer your questions, and discuss the next steps for your case. You can also learn more when you visit our FAQ page.