San Mateo Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian accidents are common, and in high-traffic areas like the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Mateo, drivers, and walkers should keep this in mind. There are several reasons why a San Mateo pedestrian accident might happen, including road hazards or adverse weather conditions. Most commonly, however, pedestrian accidents are the result of negligent actions by a driver.

Victims of pedestrian accidents who sustain injuries have a right to seek full and fair compensation for their losses. Pedestrian accidents are some of the most complicated and tend to involve serious injuries and extensive damage. Traffic congestion, inattentive drivers, and population density are factors that often contribute to pedestrian accidents.

In San Mateo County, the odds of being in these types of accidents are surprisingly high. The San Mateo pedestrian accident attorneys at Galine, Frye, Fitting, & Frangos can help you or a loved one who sustained injuries in a pedestrian accident. We are determined to fight for full and fair compensation in your case and have extensive experience serving clients in San Mateo and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Galine, Frye, Fitting, & Frangos specializes in cases that involve catastrophic injuries, and we see a lot of that in accidents involving pedestrians. The stakes are exceptionally high in these cases. These accident victims and their families suffer immensely. However, insurance companies rarely offer these victims a fair settlement. We urge you to talk with our accident attorney and discuss your legal options. 

Our San Mateo pedestrian accident attorneys are dedicated to helping accident victims put their lives back together. We have recovered millions of dollars for clients injured due to someone else's negligence, and we can help you, too. You can trust us to handle your personal injury case professionally as we fight for full compensation on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Negligent Behavior in Pedestrian Accident Cases

There are inherent dangers of driving in San Mateo, such as population density and traffic congestion. When drivers fail to recognize these hazards, it can cause an accident. Victims of pedestrian accidents who suffer from severe injuries like head trauma or broken bones have a right to seek compensation to recover their losses.

Returning to normalcy after a pedestrian accident can be difficult. The injuries victims of pedestrian accidents sustain are often severe, making it difficult to return to work. To navigate a pedestrian accident claim successfully, you should consider seeking the advice of a personal injury attorney. Our pedestrian accident lawyers have the right experience.

In the wake of an accident, you may be able to collect economic as well as non-economic damages assuming:

• You suffered monetary and/or non-monetary losses
• The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care
• The at-fault driver’s negligence contributed to your injuries
• The driver breached their duty of care

Identifying negligent behavior in your case will be one of the main aspects of determining if the other party involved was at fault for your injuries. If all mentioned elements apply to your case, you will be able to receive compensation, under California law, for damages and injuries you sustained.

What Are Some Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

Drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles with reasonable safety while on roadways. In some cases, drivers breach this duty of care, often leading to serious collisions. When a car accident involves a pedestrian, the pedestrian often sustains severe or life-treating injuries.

Here are some examples of negligent behavior that can lead to a pedestrian-car accident:

• Texting
• Failure to yield to traffic
• Failure to keep a safe driving distance
• Speeding
• Talking on the phone
• Driving while under the influence
• Drowsy or fatigued driving

Making poor choices when you get behind the wheel can be detrimental to your life and the lives of anyone you injure in the process. However, in some cases, pedestrian accidents can arise from factors other than driver error. Suppose a pedestrian gets hurt due to improper road maintenance or a construction zone that fails to have proper labeling. In that case, they might consider holding the presiding government or other municipal body responsible.

Types of Compensation Available in Pedestrian Accident Cases

Pedestrians involved in accidents with motor vehicles often sustain serious injuries like broken bones, deep cuts, and back injuries. They may even suffer permanent disability. In severe cases, victims of pedestrian accidents may be unable to return to work and require long-term medical assistance, which becomes costly.

Do not face the burden of covering medical bills and the cost of ongoing treatment if you were involved in an accident with a motor vehicle as a pedestrian. A knowledgeable car accident attorney understands that filing a personal injury claim can be overwhelming, which is why we are ready to ensure the responsible party is accountable so you can recover the maximum amount of compensation available in your case.

Legal Guidance for Victims of Serious Injuries

Even if you sustained a serious injury, there are challenges to recovering the full compensation you deserve if you were a pedestrian struck by a car. The driver and the insurance company blame the pedestrian victim. Police reports offer few or limited details. Witnesses don't exist or become difficult to locate. If you or a family member were hit by a car, truck, bus, train, or any other motor vehicle in the Bay Area call or contact us online to speak to a San Mateo pedestrian accident lawyer.

More often than not, vehicle versus pedestrian accidents are the result of distracted, inattentive, or careless driving. With so many attractive distractions at a driver's fingertips in today's world, it is unfortunately not at all unusual for drivers to take their eyes off the roadways. Even a split second of inattentiveness by a driver can have devastating results if a pedestrian is in the immediate vicinity.

The attorneys of Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos, have helped many victims of pedestrian accidents, including those injured while crossing intersections, recover damages. We aggressively investigate and work with all necessary experts to gather evidence to prove that a careless driver caused—and is liable for—your injuries or a loved one's death. We will negotiate tirelessly with insurance companies to obtain the maximum settlement or take the case to trial if it is in our client's best interest.

Don't Assume Your Case is Too Small

Many people think their injuries are not severe enough to hire a San Mateo pedestrian accident attorney. Our vast experience in representing injured pedestrians tells us, however, that even a seemingly minor injury may be more serious than you think. The damage may worsen over time or may continue for months as chronic or disabling pain.

We have recovered countless settlements for the most common catastrophic injuries in pedestrian versus vehicle accidents—spinal cord damage, head trauma, multiple broken bones, and internal organ injuries. We invite you, however, to a free case evaluation in situations where injuries you sustained as a pedestrian were more minor, but nonetheless resulted in you seeking medical treatment. For a free consultation on your personal injury case, contact us by calling or email us today.

Determining Fault in a Pedestrian Accident

Other people fail to consult an attorney because they think getting injured was their fault—jaywalking, jogging at night, their child darting out into the street. The fact that you—as a pedestrian—were partially at fault in causing an accident does not mean that you do not have a viable case. For example, our firm handled the case of a woman who was hit by a car as she jaywalked across four lanes of traffic. Although she was not in a crosswalk, the pedestrian accident attorneys at our San Mateo firm were able to successfully represent our client's case such that the insurance company paid over $1,600,000 in compensation. Consider the following:

• Drivers have a duty to watch out for pedestrians. The victim's comparative fault can reduce compensation, but it doesn't automatically let the driver off the hook.
• Our investigation often reveals driver negligence: distracted by a smartphone, speeding or making an illegal turn, pulling out without looking, and failing to stop or yield at an intersection.
• We have sued municipalities for bad lighting, obscured road signs, and other hazards that contributed to a pedestrian accident.

Pedestrian Accidents and Witnesses

Witnesses are important in a pedestrian injury case, but we need to find them while the incident is fresh. We also need to preserve evidence—photos of skid marks, blood, damage to the hood, and the surrounding scene should all be evaluated. Our attorneys have vast experience in working with witnesses and evidence and we will work diligently to get you the compensation you deserve.

Pedestrian Accident FAQ

Contact a San Mateo Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today!

If you were in a pedestrian accident with a motor vehicle and sustained injuries, you should not attempt to handle your case on your own. Put your trust in our team of San Mateo personal injury attorneys who have the right experience to help you navigate your claim, identify the responsible party, and secure the compensation you deserve.

Time is of the essence in pedestrian injury cases, which often have filing deadlines—but at Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos, we know what they are and how to meet them. Don't hesitate to contact our office by calling (650) 345-8484 or emailing us today for your free initial consultation.