Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in San Jose, CA

In Southern California, tourism brings in millions of foot traffic each year. Consequently, pedestrian accidents have become a more common occurrence. The San Jose area shows the fastest U.S. growth in overseas visitors. Unfortunately, San Jose sees a high percentage of pedestrian accident fatalities. In 2018, there were 52 total traffic fatalities and 24 pedestrian-related deaths.

If you were injured in a San Jose pedestrian accident to no fault of your own, you have the right to seek compensation. At Valley Accident Lawyers, our dedicated legal team of personal injury lawyers can help you recover your losses. Schedule a free consultation with a pedestrian accident attorney today.

Do I Need a San Jose Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

Pedestrian accident victims can feel isolated and intimidated after an accident. They may accept the first settlement offer from an insurance company, without getting just compensation for their personal injuries and losses. Insurance companies oftentimes do not have accident victims’ best interests in mind and will use deceptive tactics to justify a low settlement or reject the injury claim. Working with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney can increase the likelihood of recovering the maximum compensation available in your case.

Our San Jose pedestrian accident facilitates communication with the insurance company and ensures evidence is preserved and that your rights are protected. Our personal injury lawyers will help you calculate and prove your damages. We are very familiar with California traffic laws, personal injury law, and are well-acquainted with the greater San Jose area. Leave the hard work to our law firm. We will handle the paperwork, and negotiations, and hold the at-fault driver responsible.

Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Oftentimes pedestrian accidents are preventable. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of pedestrian fatalities in San Jose. Most of the fatalities occurred at night on busier multi-lane roads compared to residential streets. A pedestrian accident can be devastating and life-changing for the accident victim.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents. When drivers engage in activities besides driving while on the road, it puts others around them at risk. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in 2020. Distracted driving can include eating and drinking, talking or texting on your cell phone, speaking to passengers in your vehicle, and using the radio or navigation system.

Driving While Fatigued

Driving while fatigued can be comparable to drunk driving. If a driver has insufficient sleep, such as going without 20 hours of sleep, this is equivalent to driving with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08%. You are 3 times more likely to get in an auto accident if you are fatigued. Driving while fatigued significantly reduces a driver’s reaction time and awareness of surroundings and can potentially result in an accident. Every year there are approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes caused by drowsy driving.

Speeding

When drivers speed on the road, they endanger everyone around them. Speeding killed 11,258 people in 2020 and was a contributing factor to 29% of all accident fatalities. Speeding is a type of aggressive driving that can lead to serious consequences for the driver and other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Driving Recklessly

Reckless or aggressive driving involves driving with reckless disregard for the safety of others. This can include speeding, weaving or swerving across lanes, driving on the sidewalk, and disregarding stop signs, red lights, and crosswalks. Aggressive driving was the leading driving behavior associated with fatal traffic accidents in 2019.

Impaired Driving

Driving under the influence is another top reason for pedestrian accidents and accounted for 28% of fatal crashes in 2019. Driving while intoxicated is especially dangerous and puts the driver and others around them at risk. Impaired driving impacts a motorist’s cognition and ability to make decisions on the road.

Failing to Yield

According to California law, pedestrians have the “right of way” in marked or unmarked crosswalks. Therefore, a driver must allow a pedestrian to cross the street before driving through a crosswalk at an intersection. Drivers failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk can face serious charges like reckless driving.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Pedestrian accidents can cause catastrophic injuries that can lead to permanent scarring, disfigurement, and disablement. As a result of a pedestrian injury, the accident victim may be unable to return to work. Whether you have sustained minor or severe injuries, it's crucial to seek medical attention after a pedestrian accident. It’s also important to gather medical records as they can help strengthen your claim. Some pedestrian accident injuries we see at Valley Accident Lawyers include:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Lacerations and road rash
• Soft tissue damage

Pedestrian accident victims may need lifetime medical care and may suffer from emotional trauma. A San Jose pedestrian accident lawyer can help accident victims recover compensation for their losses.

Have you or a loved one sustained a personal injury from a pedestrian accident? You have the right to seek compensation for your losses. A San Jose pedestrian accident attorney can hold the at-fault party responsible and help recover compensation. Call a pedestrian accident lawyer today.

Dangerous Intersections in San Jose, CA

Traffic accidents are a leading cause of injury and fatality in San Jose. San Jose streets are continually busy with cars, trucks, cyclists, and pedestrians. Some of the most dangerous intersections in San Jose include:

• Mclaughlin Avenue and Story Road
• Almaden Expressway and Blossom Hill Road
• Blossom Hill Road Winfield Boulevard
• Capitol Expressway and Ocala Avenue
• Quimby Road and Tully Road

What Is My Pedestrian Accident Claim Worth?

The value of a pedestrian accident claim will differ on a case-by-case basis. There are many factors to consider when determining what a pedestrian accident case is worth. For example, some factors include the medical bills incurred, the extent of the pedestrian injuries, and the lifetime effects of the pedestrian accident on the victim’s life.

The representation you have for your injury claim also significantly impacts the results. A personal injury lawyer can recover much higher compensation than someone who is unfamiliar with personal injury law. Our San Jose pedestrian accident lawyers fight tirelessly to get you the maximum compensation available. We are passionate about helping pedestrian accident victims obtain the justice they deserve.

Contact an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in San Jose

San Jose is a flourishing city in Santa Clara County with over 980,000 people and has an abundance of shops, restaurants, and entertainment. The capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose is known for its leading tech and financial companies. San Jose tops Wall Street’s list of most innovative cities in the United States.

At Valley Accident Attorneys, our San Jose pedestrian accident lawyers fight tirelessly to help the victim recover compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. Our law firm maintains a success rate of 99% and has won millions in settlements for our clients. Call our San Jose personal injury lawyers to discuss your legal options.