Pedestrian Injured In San Diego Hit-And-Run Accidents

As a pedestrian, you enjoy walking and remaining in shape. However, you never expect to get hit by a car. All of a sudden and out of nowhere, you find yourself lying on the floor with serious pain in your back and legs. Unable to move, you are waiting for the ambulance. When the police arrive, you learn that you were hit by a vehicle which fled the scene.

 This is a common and terrifying scenario that happens every day. Hundreds of people all over the United States are injured by a hit and run accidents every month. The chances are that it could happen to you as well.

With that in mind, here is everything that you need to know about the hit and run accidents and how to prevent them and act accordingly once you get injured.

At Least One Vehicle Involved 

 To be defined as a hit-and-run accident, it has to involve at least one vehicle. Once that vehicle hits a pedestrian or another vehicle, and flees from the scene before the police arrive (without stopping to provide contact, insurance, and other information and assistance), that is considered a hit-and-run accident. In most states across the U.S., it is considered a crime and treated as such.

Most Hit-and-run accidents happen:

• On parking lots

• On residential streets

• On highway

In small towns If you or someone you love got injured in a hit and run accident, do not despair. There is a way of dealing with this type of accidents. All you have to do is contact experienced and seasoned San Diego Pedestrian Accident Attorneys, and seek their help in obtaining compensation for your:

• Medical bills

• Pain and suffering

• Property damage

• Lost wages

Do not hesitate to give us a call. The sooner, the better as Edward Babbitt will have more chance of finding the individual responsible for committing a hit-and-run accident.

Pedestrians Could Be Liable:

Most Hit-and-run accidents end up with the driver being at fault. However, in some cases, driver fleed the scene out of pure fear and panic. After an investigation, it can be proven that the driver was not at fault for hitting a pedestrian. However, that driver may still be responsible for fleeing the scene even though the accident was caused by a reckless pedestrian.

A common scenario is wearing dark clothes during the night and trying to stop a moving vehicle. The chances that a vehicle will spot you are extremely low, and as a reckless pedestrian, you may be responsible for the accident. And according to the law, as long as you are more than 50 percent at fault, you will not be able to recover damages, or at least get enough to cover for your medical bills and lost wages.

Either way, you should always speak with Pedestrian Accident Lawyers. The initial consultation is free of charge, and you may learn things you did not know before. Even if it seems like you are at fault, it may be proven otherwise. Reach out to attorneys, and let them evaluate your case. You may be surprised by the results.

Attorneys Can Help You Prove Driver Negligence in Pedestrian Accidents

Most pedestrian accidents involve a motor vehicle. Statistically speaking, about 70 percent of all pedestrian accidents in California are caused by negligent drivers.

When this happens, the only way to recover from these accidents is to speak with a knowledgeable attorney and to file a personal injury claim.

Neglecting what happened and moving on may leave you in a difficult financial situation. You would have to pay out of your own pocket for:

• Medical bills
• Home care

On top of that, you will lose wages due to the inability to return to work.

Your only solution is to speak with an attorney. Here is how an attorney can help you prove negligence and help you file your personal injury claim after a pedestrian accident.

Getting Behind The Accident

When you contact an attorney following a pedestrian accident, they will start by investigating what happened. This involves going through the police report, medical report, eyewitness testimonies and recreating the event. If there is the slightest detail that can help prove that the driver was acting recklessly at the time of the accident, our attorneys will find it. Once they do, all that is left for you is to file a claim and wait until you receive your compensation. If eligible, you will receive compensation for your:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Contact our San Diego Pedestrian Accident Attorneys today if you do not have an attorney on speed dial, and they will offer you a free consultation followed by a free case review.

Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents

Understanding the common causes of pedestrian accidents can help you avoid them in the future. Usually, they are:

• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Disobeying traffic signals and signs
• Ignoring and disregarding the weather conditions
• Reckless driving
• Aggressive driving
• Road rage
• Driving while distracted

Under California Law, every accident caused under any of the above-mentioned circumstances leaves the injured pedestrian eligible to file a claim against a negligent driver. Based on the injuries sustained, the injured pedestrian can receive a sizeable compensation.

Negotiating With The Insurance Company

Once you have filed a claim against a negligent driver, you will be approached by the insurance adjusters. Their job is to make you a deal that you cannot refuse, one that will look like a great deal to you and one that will at the same time protect the company’s interests. This deal is usually not good enough, and it will not help compensate you for all your damages.

Instead, you should let San Diego Personal Injury Lawyers do the talking for you. With their experience and years in the business, attorneys will negotiate with the insurance company and ensure that you are either offered a fair and notable deal, or the case will go to court for the judge to decide. Either way, you cannot lose.

Do not hesitate to get in touch with attorneys. They are your best shot at obtaining the compensation that you rightfully deserve.

Aggressive Driving Can Lead To Fatal Accident

Approximately every 7 minutes, a car accident occurs somewhere in the U.S. Since there are way too many vehicles on the roads and not enough space for all of them to travel at a high speed, traffic jams occur every day. During this time, it is impossible to drive fast and most drivers are stuck in a barely-moving traffic jam. During this time, any type of aggressive driving can and will most likely lead to an accident.

Accidents occur everywhere. They can be as minor as a rear-end bump, or a direct collision, taking more than one life. As a driver, you should be aware of the dangers of the open road and driving in the city. Here are the most common types of aggressive driving and how they can lead to a fatal car accident.

Too Fast, Too Dangerous

One thing most people enjoy is speed and that rush of adrenaline. However, when behind the wheel, every extra mile of speed reduces the vehicle’s stability, makes it harder for the driver to operate and gives less time for reaction in case something happens.

It is the speed that kills, combined with the force of the impact. You are less likely to die in a collision between two vehicles going 25-30 miles per hour than in a collision between two vehicles going 40-50 miles per hour.

The only safety measure is the speed limit – pay attention to it and avoid getting caught in a car accident by being able to maneuver your vehicle should the situation require it. If by any chance you do end up in a car accident with fatal consequences, or someone you cared for died in a car accident, contact Wrongful Death Attorneys in San Diego and schedule your free consultation as quickly as possible. They will tell you what you should do next.

Frequent Lane Switching

Road hogging is extremely dangerous, and it is used by most drivers to “get ahead” and pass through the traffic quickly. However, this puts in danger everyone on the road. By switching lanes constantly, you make other drivers around you nervous, and if one of them does not pay attention to you, the chances are that they will hit you. Again, it may not be their fault, depending on how many times you switched lanes and how safely you performed it.

Tailgating

Driving too close to another vehicle is dangerous for both of you. BY doing so, you will put pressure on the other driver and at the same time, be unable to slow down or evade a collision if the driver in front of you decides to stop for whatever reason. 

Keep a safe distance, and always give your vehicle and the driver in front of you enough maneuvering space. You never know why the driver in front of you may hit the brakes, all of a sudden.

Distracted Driving

The worst type of driving is distracted driving. It puts everyone in danger on the road, and it is the number one cause of car accidents. Distractions can be anything, including:

• Using your smartphone
• Adjusting the radio
• Talking with your passengers
• Feeding your baby
• Playing with your dog
• Eating and drinking
• Smoking a cigarette

Distractions are the reason why there are so many fatalities every year. If your loved one died in a car accident, caused by a distracted driver, Car Accident Attorneys in San Diego may be able to help you obtain death benefits. Get in touch with them today and find out your legal options.

Bicycle Collisions Caused by Poor Road

Almost every bicycle is susceptible to accidents caused by poor roads and road hazards. Since they have two thin tires and due to their instability, any changes in the road surface will cause the bicycle to flip or come to an immediate stop. If you are traveling on your bicycle and going between 10 and 15 miles per hour, coming to a sudden stop could cause you to fall and sustain serious injuries.

Bicycle accidents happen every day and are responsible for injuring over 30,000 people each year. Poor roads are partially responsible for most of these accidents. Here are the most common types of poor road conditions and road hazards that can cause a bicycle accident at any time.

Potholes

Regardless of where you live, there is always a chance of running over a pothole. They are generated all over the country due to the amount of traffic and weather conditions (rain and snow). However, they could also appear as a result of poor repair work. If you find yourself in a bicycle accident as a result of a pothole created by a responsible public entity, you may have the right to sue the responsible party and seek compensation for your damages. These involve:

• Your medical bills
• Lost wages
• Bicycle repairs
• Pain and suffering

If the pothole is a result of long-term wear and tear, the agency responsible for road safety can be held responsible. Speak with  San Diego Bicycle Accident Attorneys today and find out your legal options. Give them  a call and schedule your free initial consultation, with no legal obligations.

Sewer Grates

Depending on their design and length, sewer grates could potentially be dangerous for any bicycle rider. If your bicycle has thin tires, there is a high chance that your front tire may end up stuck between the sewer grates, causing you to fall and potentially sustain injuries.

If you find yourself in an accident caused by uncovered sewer grates, you could file a lawsuit against the city and those in charge of maintaining the sewer grates (or those who placed sewer grate bars along the road).

Manholes

Most big cities have a running sewer system. You can find manholes everywhere as they are an entry point into the sewers. When the manhole is removed, the hole left open is dangerous for everyone, including:

• Pedestrians
• Car driver
• Motorcycle drivers
• Bicycle riders

Everyone is in danger of falling inside the sewer and getting severely injured from the fall alone. Most of these holes are more than 10 feet deep. For that reason, the city has to cover every hole with proper heavy steel lids. If removed, the city should place a warning sign next to the manhole.

If you or someone you know drives a bicycle into a manhole, you may have the right to file a claim against the party responsible for not placing proper signs next to the manhole. Speak with Bicycle Accident Lawyers today and find out whether or not you have a claim in hand. They will be expecting your call.

Most Common Distracted Driving Habits Of California Drivers

We are all curious by nature. We tend to gaze at the stars, look at shiny things and question the unknown. Unfortunately, our focus is the same; one moment it is here, and in the next one, it is somewhere else.

As drivers, sometimes we tend to lose focus, and when that happens, accidents happen. Driving is a demanding process that requires a lot of focus and attention, and every mistake can be fatal.

Sadly, there are so many distracted drivers nowadays, and driving is not as safe as it used to be several years ago. Here are some of the most common habits of distracted drivers in California.

Using The Phone

Probably the number one reason why so many drivers get distracted is their cell phone. Thousands of people rush to work every day, and they are on their phones talking to their children, spouses and other family members, organizing their day, assigning choruses, arranging work schedules. All of these things are easily done over the phone, but doing so while in traffic can be dangerous and even lethal.

As you lose focus while talking on the phone, you can easily not notice that the driver in front of you is slowing down, or that there is another vehicle near you switching lanes without signalization. If you do not spot that one reckless driver around you, you can easily get involved in a car accident. When that happens, you should immediately get in touch with Car Accident Attorneys in San Diego and schedule your free consultation.

If you are using your phone to browse the internet while driving, or to play some music, or to check your email, you will lose focus and probably cause a rear-end car accident.

Eating And Drinking

Another habit that many drivers tend to do on a daily basis is eating and drinking while driving. Both of these actions require the driver’s attention, which reduces the focus on the road ahead. Eventually, an accident will happen and someone may die simply because one of the drivers was eating or drinking something while driving.

Using The Radio

Music is the best company any driver can ask for. When stuck in traffic, play the radio or the music on your phone. But did you know that loud music acts as a distraction, lowering one’s focus significantly? In addition, the person will not hear the passing cars and may easily get smashed on the side or in the rear bumper.

If you like driving with your music on, increase your safety on the road by lowering the volume to the minimum one. That way, you will put less stress on your body and you will allow your brain to focus on the road ahead, rather than on the loud music. And you will have the full peripheral vision of the road and the traffic around you, allowing you to act in case of an emergency.

If you do get involves in a car accident, our San Diego Personal Injury Attorney can help you get the compensation for your injuries. You can get compensated for:

• Medical bills

• Pain and suffering

• Lost wages

• Property damage

Call today, and schedule your free consultation.

Back Over Accidents Prevention & Safety Tips

With the holiday season on the horizon, all drivers must be alert of potential dangers on every parking lot. The most common places where accidents happen involve parking lots around shopping malls. Types of car accidents that can occur involve:

• Back over accidents
• Parking accidents
• Hitting a pedestrian
• Hitting another parked car

Back over accidents usually happen due to blind spots. However, it is pedestrian’s fault if they tried to quickly run behind a reversing vehicle. Here are tips on how to prevent back over accidents, and how to increase your safety while on the road.

Stay Focused

The main thing you should always pay attention to is the road and the environment around you. As a driver, it is your responsibility to be aware of street signs, traffic around you and all the pedestrian and bicyclists on the road. Losing focus at any point could cause the accident to happen, leaving you with a lot of trouble and potentially even with injuries.

Try and remain focused at all time. If you do end up getting involved in a car accident, inform the Car Accident Attorney in San Diego and seek their professional help and guidance.

Watch Your Blind Spots

While reversing in the street or in the parking lot, you need to be aware of your blind spots. Your mirrors can only provide you with so much vision, yet there are still many blind spots that you should be aware of.

You need to be extremely careful and aware of the blind spots when reversing out of your garage and into the street. There could easily be a child playing in your front yard and right behind your car. Not noticing the child could end up in disaster. Open up your eyes, and check your surroundings, especially when you are in a hurry or late for work. Don’t make the mistakes that could potentially ruin your life.

Don’t Drink and Drive

California is a state that has zero tolerance towards DUI and those who drive under the influence. If you are pulled over while intoxicated, you could spend more than one night in jail and lose your driver’s license. In addition, you will have to pay fines and fees.

Also, while intoxicated, your senses are not as good as they should be, leaving you prone to making mistakes. At that point, it could be extremely easy to hit someone while reversing your vehicle out of the parking lot or garage. Hitting a pedestrian or another person’s property could result in serious damages and even jail time.

Tilted? Do NOT Drive!

If you had a bad day at work or if someone’s behavior caused you to tilt and get angry, don’t just sit in your car and drive off. While angry, the chances of making a mistake increase by 100 percent. If you are backing out of a parking lot, the chances are that you will be driving so fast that you won’t even see the passing pedestrians. Once you hit someone, it is already too late.

The San Diego Personal Injury Attorney could help you if you got hit by a reversing vehicle, and maybe even if you were the one who caused the accident. Call today and receive a free evaluation.

What To Do When Your Family Member Dies In A Car Accident?

Every driver knows the risk of getting involved in a car accident. However, sometimes it is not the driver that is afraid; in most cases, it is the family that is the one in constant fear of that one phone call from the police.

No parent, sibling or spouse would ever want to receive that phone call. But these things happen every day and are one of the outcomes of car accidents.

What if you receive a call, saying that your loved one died in a car accident? As horrifying as that moment could be, once the emotional confusion is gone, you have the right to seek compensation for your loved one’s death. That compensation could help you with the following things:

• Arranging a funeral
• Paying for additional expenses (medical, transportation)
• Loss of consortium

Here are the things you should do if your loved one died in a car accident.

Notify Your Insurance Agent

If you and your deceased family member drove the same vehicle, as long as it was insured, you should contact your insurance company and let them know of what happened. You may be able to receive compensation for your vehicle repair.

Speak With The Insurance Adjusters

If your loved one was not the one responsible for causing the accident, you will be approached by the at-fault party’s insurance representatives, who will try and negotiate the deal with you on the spot. Normally, they will offer you a small sum that will help you “get back on your feet”. But know that this initial sum is nowhere close to what you should really receive. For that reason, encourage you to give one of the Car Accident Attorney in San Diego a call and seek their help and representation. With their knowledge and experience, you will receive the settlement you deserve.

Consult With a Wrongful Death Attorney

It is very important to retain an attorney and have him help you with your case. You are probably going through a lot of pain at the moment, but you have to find strength and think clearly, for your future’s sake and for your children’s future. If you choose to ignore the situation, you will be left without a family member and with tons of bills to pay. These involve organizing the funeral, which could cost anywhere up to $10,000.

For that and many other reasons, you should consult with Personal Injury Attorney in San Diego and see what they have to say on the matter. They will most likely offer to help you obtain the settlement you receive, which will help you pay for the funeral and other costs, and help you move on with your life.

Losing a family member is the worst thing that can happen. The important thing is to try and find enough reason to move on and do the right thing. Money can not replace a loved one, but it can certainly help you avoid getting caught in a financial mess.