Pedestrian Accidents Attorney In Ventura, California

California is a state with a large number of pedestrian accidents. Sunny days and pleasant weather encourage pedestrians to walk around, while overcrowded streets, senior drivers, and distracted drivers put pedestrians at risk. In 2016, there were 9,102 pedestrian crashes, resulting in 7,796 injuries and 667 fatalities. More people died as pedestrians than motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and DUI-related deaths the same year. If you have been in a pedestrian accident, call the Law Office of Ball & Yorke before you do anything else. We can help protect your rights.

Pedestrian Rights and Responsibilities in California

As a pedestrian, you have the right-of-way at most intersections and crosswalks. If there is a walk signal, you must not walk until you have the OK to do so. If there is no signal, you can cross when it is safe. Drivers also have the right of way but they must stop until you have completely crossed the road. You cannot step out in front of a moving vehicle that does not reasonably have enough time to brake, even if you have the right-of-way. If there is no marked crosswalk, one is implied at each intersection unless signs indicate otherwise. If a driver strikes you, compensation is likely available to you.

Too many drivers today are not devoting all, or even most, of their attention to the road when they drive. Unfortunately, distractions such as cell phones, food, and passengers capture their attention. Driver distraction is a main cause of pedestrian injuries and deaths in California. If a driver is looking down at his or her phone, it is easy to miss a pedestrian stepping out onto a crosswalk or a traffic light turning red. Also, ,mini or micro Sleeps from sleep deprived drivers can be even more dangerous than drunk driving. In all of these cases, the injured pedestrian could bring a claim against the at-fault driver for negligent driving.