Irvine Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Were you injured in a pedestrian accident in Irvine, California? You may have the right to seek compensation if a driver or another party caused your injuries. Contact Fielding Lawat 833.88.SHARK for a free consultation with an Irvine pedestrian accident lawyer.
Pedestrians have little protection when they are struck by a vehicle, which means even a relatively low-speed collision can cause serious injuries. Medical treatment, time away from work, and uncertainty about the insurance process can add to the challenges of recovery.
Why Choose Fielding Law After a Pedestrian Accident in Irvine?
Choosing an attorney after a serious accident is an important decision. You need someone who will take the time to understand what happened, explain your options clearly, and provide legal guidance tailored to your circumstances.
Fielding Law is a boutique personal injury law firm focused on quality representation and personal service. Our Irvine personal injury lawyers believe that clients should understand what is happening with their cases and why important decisions are being made.
We provide personalized legal guidance to injured people and their families. With 33 years of combined experience and $98 million recovered for clients, our attorneys understand how to handle personal injury claims while keeping clients informed throughout the process.
Contact our Irvine pedestrian accident attorneys for a free consultation to learn more about your options after an accident.
What Is My Irvine Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
Every pedestrian accident claim is different. There is no standard amount of compensation because the value of a case depends on the circumstances of the collision and how the injuries have affected the person involved.
Factors that may influence the value of a pedestrian accident claim include:
- The nature and severity of your injuries
- The medical treatment you need
- Whether you are expected to make a full recovery
- Whether you have lost any income
- Whether your injuries affect your future ability to work
- The strength of the evidence showing who caused the accident
- Whether you share responsibility for the collision
- The available insurance coverage
- The effect of your injuries on your everyday life
- Whether you will need future medical treatment or assistance
An Irvine personal injury attorney can review these factors and help you understand what compensation may be available based on your particular circumstances.
What Compensation Is Available After an Irvine Pedestrian Accident?
California personal injury law may allow an injured pedestrian to seek compensation for both financial and personal losses caused by an accident. The damages available will depend on the injuries and other facts of the case.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover financial losses that can generally be documented through bills, receipts, employment records, and similar evidence.
They may cover:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital bills
- Surgery and rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning ability
- Other accident-related expenses
Keeping medical bills, wage records, and other documentation can help establish these losses.
Non-Economic Damages
A pedestrian accident can also affect parts of your life that do not have a specific price attached to them. Non-economic damages address these personal consequences.
Depending on the circumstances, they may include compensation for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
The extent and duration of your injuries can be important when evaluating these damages.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are available only in limited circumstances under California law. They generally require evidence of particularly wrongful conduct rather than ordinary negligence.
An attorney can review the circumstances surrounding the collision and explain whether punitive damages could be relevant to your case.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault?
Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence system. This means an injured pedestrian can generally recover compensation even when they share some responsibility for an accident.
However, compensation can be reduced according to the pedestrian’s percentage of fault. For example, someone who is found 20% responsible for an accident would generally have their damages reduced by 20%.
Fault can become disputed when questions arise about crosswalks, traffic signals, visibility, distracted walking, or where the pedestrian entered the roadway. Evidence such as photographs, surveillance footage, witness statements, and traffic records may help clarify what happened.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Irvine Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
Fielding Law handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This generally means there are no upfront attorney’s fees, and the attorney’s fee is paid from a recovery rather than being charged by the hour.
If there is no financial recovery, you generally do not owe an attorney’s fee. The specific terms of the arrangement should be explained before representation begins so that you understand how fees and case-related costs will be handled.
Our law firm also offers free consultations, giving you an opportunity to discuss your accident and learn about your legal options before deciding how to proceed.
What Are Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
Pedestrians can suffer substantial injuries because they do not have seat belts, airbags, or a vehicle frame to absorb the force of a collision.
Common pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Hip and pelvic injuries
- Knee and leg injuries
- Internal organ injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Cuts and lacerations
- Road rash
- Facial injuries
- Permanent scarring
- Crush injuries
Some injuries may require months of treatment or result in lasting limitations. Understanding the full medical outlook can be important before resolving an injury claim.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents in Irvine, California?
Pedestrian collisions can occur at intersections, crosswalks, parking lots, residential streets, and other locations where vehicles and people share space.
Common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield to pedestrians
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Driving under the influence
- Making unsafe turns
- Backing up without checking for pedestrians
- Poor visibility
- Driver fatigue
- Unsafe road or intersection conditions
- Failing to exercise appropriate caution near crosswalks
Determining why an accident happened can help identify who may be legally responsible for the resulting injuries.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Irvine?
Your health should be the first priority after being struck by a vehicle. Seek medical attention promptly, even if you initially believe your injuries are minor. Some conditions may not become obvious immediately.
If you are able, you should also:
- Report the accident to law enforcement.
- Get the driver’s name and insurance information.
- Take photographs and videos of the scene.
- Photograph your injuries.
- Get contact information from witnesses.
- Preserve damaged clothing and personal belongings.
- Keep copies of medical records and bills.
- Document any time missed from work.
- Avoid discussing fault with insurance adjusters before understanding your rights.
Taking these steps can help preserve information that may later be important to an insurance claim or lawsuit.
How Can an Irvine Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help?
Handling an injury claim while recovering from a pedestrian accident can be difficult. An attorney can manage the legal and insurance issues while helping you understand the decisions that arise throughout your case.
A pedestrian accident lawyer can:
- Investigate how the collision occurred.
- Obtain police reports and other records.
- Gather photographs, videos, and witness statements.
- Review applicable insurance policies.
- Identify potentially responsible parties.
- Document your injuries and financial losses.
- Communicate with insurance companies.
- Evaluate settlement proposals.
- Negotiate for a fair resolution.
- File a lawsuit when appropriate.
- Prepare the case for trial if necessary.
Fielding Law focuses on keeping clients informed rather than leaving them uncertain about their cases. Clear communication can help you understand your options and make decisions that reflect your needs and priorities.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits is generally two years from the date of the injury. Missing the applicable deadline can prevent you from pursuing compensation through the courts.
However, different deadlines may apply in certain situations. For example, claims involving a government entity can have much shorter notice requirements. Other circumstances may also affect how much time you have.
Because deadlines depend on the facts of the case, it can be helpful to speak with an attorney early. Acting promptly can also make it easier to preserve surveillance footage, locate witnesses, and gather other evidence.
Contact an Irvine Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at Fielding Law for a Free Consultation
A pedestrian accident can affect your health, work, finances, and everyday life. Understanding your legal rights can help you make informed decisions about what to do next.
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Irvine, contact Fielding Law for a free consultation. An Irvine pedestrian accident lawyer can listen to what happened, answer your questions, and help you determine the next steps available to you.