Riverside Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Bisnar Chase are ready to fight and win your case. Our team never gives up, no matter how difficult your pedestrian injury lawsuit becomes.
Riverside has many busy streets and intersections that can be extremely dangerous for pedestrians. Unfortunately, pedestrians don’t have the same safety devices that drivers and passengers of vehicles can count on to protect them. They are very vulnerable to injuries.
When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, it is the pedestrian who suffers catastrophic or fatal injuries. In fact, pedestrian accidents often result in life-changing or permanent damage. Injury victims sometimes struggle physically, emotionally, and financially.
If you have become a victim in this type of accident, call Bisnar Chase’s team of expert Riverside personal injury attorneys. Our dedicated lawyers and staff go the extra mile for each and every client because we know that you count on us during this challenging time in your life. We are here to help you.
To schedule a free consultation for your pedestrian accident, call (951) 530-3711. The call could be the first step in recovering thousands of dollars owed to you as a victim.
Riverside Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
What is a Pedestrian Accident?
Anyone walking along a road, sidewalk, path, or any other kind of developed area counts as a pedestrian. A pedestrian accident is any incident involving an injury to someone traveling by foot.
Most commonly, it involves someone being hit by a car while walking. But typical incidents can also involve people being hit by bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, horses, or anything else you can think of. The collision might occur in a crosswalk, a road without crossing markings, a bike lane, a sidewalk, or similar areas.
Contact a Riverside pedestrian accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase for expert help if you believe you may have a case.
Dangerous Intersections in Riverside, California
Riverside pedestrian accidents can occur anywhere in the city or across the county. There are areas where pedestrian collisions happen more often than others, though. Drivers must be aware of their surroundings at all times before proceeding to turn and also remember that pedestrians always have the right-away.
According to the Press-Enterprise, Riverside’s most dangerous intersections include:
- Van Buren and Arlington Avenue: 186 accidents
- Tyler Street and Magnolia Avenue: 181 accidents
- Van Buren and Jurupa Avenue: 164 accidents
- Van Buren and Trautwein Road: 153 accidents
- Van Buren Boulevard and Indiana Avenue: 145 accidents
These are just some of the accident hotspots in and around Riverside. Most pedestrian accidents in Riverside involve vehicles and occur at busy roads and intersections.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Riverside
There are several common causes of pedestrian accidents in the Inland Empire are. The following factors can put you and other pedestrians in harm’s way:
- Intoxicated drivers.
- Drivers who ignore traffic laws (such as running red lights and ignoring stop signs).
- Drivers who do not know pedestrians have the right of way.
- Distracted drivers – texting while driving, eating, drinking, or simply not paying full attention.
- Poor intersection design.
- A lack of proper pedestrians crossings where they are needed.
- Poor road lighting.
- Negligent bus drivers and truck drivers.
- Train Track Injuries
In many cases, a driver’s mistake leads to a pedestrian injury. But some roads are poorly designed, providing poor visibility to users and creating dangerous situations.
Sometimes it may be hard to predict which drivers on the road will pose a threat to your safety. However, staying proactive and keeping an eye out for warning signs may protect you when you are walking the streets.
Bisnar Chase managing partner and top-rated pedestrian injury attorney Brian Chase discusses why it is so important for victims to have a Riverside accident attorney on their side quickly.
In the News: Pedestrian Accidents in Riverside, CA
There have been numerous instances of catastrophic pedestrian accidents in Riverside County, many of which have resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. The following are just some accidents involving pedestrians across the Inland Empire that have made headlines recently.
- Man Struck and Killed by Car While Crossing the Street
A man was hit by a car while crossing a street in Riverside in February 2022. The accident happened at the intersection of Arlington Avenue and Van Buren Boulevard. The victim was rushed to Riverside Community Hospital but died from his injuries.
- Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Box Truck
A pedestrian was involved in a crash with a large box truck and died later from his injuries. The male victim was reported to be in the road before the accident, obstructing traffic and trying to open car doors. He was hit by a truck in the area of Arlington Avenue and El Padro Street in September 2021.
- Teenage Skateboarder Killed in Riverside Collision
A 16-year-old skateboarder died after being hit by an SUV in Riverside. The teen skateboarder was riding north on Brockton Avenue and was hit by the vehicle near the intersection with Arlington Avenue. The tragic crash happened in February 2022.
- Elderly Man Killed While Crossing Riverside Street
An 84-year-old man was crossing a street in Riverside when he was killed by a pickup truck. The victim, who died later at Riverside Community Hospital, was in the crosswalk in Market Street when the crash happened. The truck driver made a left turn from First Street, colliding with the victim and causing fatal injuries.
These are just some of the fatal pedestrian accidents in recent months and years in Riverside. If you or a loved one suffer an injury, contact a Riverside pedestrian injury lawyer now.
Types of Drivers Pedestrians Should Look Out For
Car accidents involving pedestrians can be deadly. The onus should not be on pedestrians to avoid dangerous drivers, but these are just some of the situations that you should look out for.
Drivers who are distracted or on edge may pose a threat to your safety. If a driver is looking down at their lap at a red light, odds are they are using their phone. This practice is now illegal under California law. Even if their phone is fastened to their dashboard as the law dictates, a driver taking time to check their mobile device will have less of a chance to notice you on the sidewalk or in a crosswalk.
If you can make eye contact with the driver and establish your presence on the road, it may be safe to cross the street legally at the given time. However, it might just be better to wait until this driver passes the intersection in some cases. If you feel this driver is a legitimate threat to drivers and pedestrians (the driver appears to be intoxicated), call 911 immediately and let the dispatcher know the details of your situation and the driver’s license plate number if possible.
In other instances, a driver can be distracted by playing music in their car at a volume that impairs their ability to drive safely and make safe decisions concerning the road that they are on. Playing music at a loud volume is legal to a certain degree, but some drivers allow music and other media within the car to distract them.
Emotional distress can also play a role in a pedestrian accident. If a driver is experiencing road rage, it is recommended that you distance yourself from that driver until that driver passes. In addition, if you feel this driver is driving recklessly or is an overall threat to the road, you are again encouraged to call 911 and report this.
Finally, a fatigued driver can pose just as great a threat to the road as a drunk driver. Drivers may become tired due to the demands of their work, or these drivers may have a long day in general. Regardless, it is the driver’s responsibility to know if they are awake and energized enough to operate a motor vehicle safely. If this is not the case, the driver must make accommodations to regain strength and alertness before driving on the road again. Failure to do so will most likely lead to punishment for becoming a hazard to the road.
Riverside Pedestrian Accident Prevention
The best way to avoid serious pedestrian injuries is to use caution every day. If you are walking, obey the law and only cross when and where safe.
Never dart into traffic or enter the roadway between two parked cars where oncoming drivers may not see you. Instead, cross at intersections and in crosswalks when you have the right of way.
When walking at night, it is a good idea to wear high-visibility clothing, make eye contact with approaching drivers, and carry a flashlight.
As a pedestrian, you can follow the steps above and do everything right. But sometimes, that does not matter. Sometimes drivers might get behind the wheel while drunk, run a red light, or not pay enough attention to see a pedestrian crossing the street. If you or a loved one have been hurt by someone negligent, contact a Riverside pedestrian accident attorney who will fight for you.
Injuries Suffered in Riverside Pedestrian Collisions
Pedestrian accidents in Riverside often lead to severe injuries, even if the victim was hit at a relatively low speed. Many accidents involving pedestrians even cause permanent disabilities or fatalities, as walkers have little in the way of protection. When struck by a car, pedestrians can be thrown onto the hard asphalt or slammed onto the vehicle’s windshield.
They may suffer injuries such as:
- Head and neck trauma
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
These types of injuries require immediate medical attention. They can also be costly to treat, often resulting in hospital stays, extensive treatment, surgeries, skin grafts, longing care, physical therapy, and more.
Experienced pedestrian accident lawyers will fight to make sure you are compensated for these expenses.
Recovering After Your Pedestrian Accident
Sustaining a serious injury can turn a victim’s entire life upside down. Some victims are forced to miss work while others are never again able to reach their full earning potential.
After leaving the hospital, victims of traumatic injuries such as concussions and spinal cord injuries often require physical and occupational therapy.
They may experience significant changes in their physical and cognitive abilities. Some victims even have to modify their homes by installing wheelchair ramps and additional railings. These life changes are not cheap, and they can prove taxing for the victim and their family.
What Should You Do after a Crash?
If you are ever involved in a Riverside pedestrian accident, it’s necessary to act quickly.
If you are injured, get to a safe place and call the authorities. Wait at the location for emergency responders and exchange information with the driver and other parties involved. Get the involved party’s phone number, name, license plate, address, and insurance information.
You should also write down the contact information for anyone who witnessed the accident. Their accounts will prove valuable when you file a claim.
If you have a cell phone, start taking photos and documenting right away. You should get a wide-angle shot of the whole crash site as well as close-up photos of the vehicle, skid marks, and injuries.
It is also advisable to write down everything you remember about the crash. Details can get lost when your adrenaline is pumping. Take a deep breath and write down everything you remember about the crash as soon as possible, when your memory is at its freshest.
After speaking with the police, seek medical attention. Not only will seeing a doctor right away increase your chances of a full recovery, but it will also help document your injuries and the treatment received. This can be useful if you need to prove the severity of your injuries later.
Last but not least, contact a pedestrian accident attorney in Riverside to receive free legal advice.
Hit-and-Run Accidents Involving Pedestrians in Riverside
In nearly 25% of cases involving a pedestrian being struck and killed by a car, the offending driver flees from the scene. That is a shockingly high number.
There are many potential reasons for a driver to leave the scene after a Riverside hit-and-run accident. Hit-and-runs are often caused by a fear of consequences. In most cases, the driver will panic, not knowing if they have injured or killed the pedestrian. They may also have been driving under the influence.
No matter the reason for fleeing the scene, it is never okay. According to California law, a driver must always stop at the scene of a crash. That is even more important in the case of a pedestrian accident because they could potentially save the life of the victim by applying emergency treatment or calling for medical help.
Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable to severe injuries when they are involved in vehicle collisions, and those dangers are only increased if the driver flees.
Riverside Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit FAQs
Filing a legal claim can be daunting for anyone. We have answered some of the most frequently asked questions below to help put your mind at ease. If you have any questions that have not been answered, give us a call and speak to a legal expert free of charge.
As long as pedestrians follow the rules of the road, they will usually have the right of way, particularly when using a marked crossing. In most cases, pedestrian accidents are caused by negligent motorists. However, there may be situations in which other parties share responsibility, such as a city authority for poor intersection design. Contact a Riverside pedestrian accident lawyer to ensure all liable parties are held accountable.
In many cases, you will be making a claim against the insurance policy of an at-fault driver after a pedestrian injury. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance agents over an out-of-court settlement. If a fair settlement cannot be agreed upon, we can escalate your case and explore taking it to trial.
You can file a claim as soon as you like after an accident, but there is a time limit. According to California law, you must file legal paperwork within two years of the date of the accident. This is called the statute of limitations. Contact a pedestrian accident attorney in Riverside to get started now.
Every lawsuit is different. If a claim is straightforward and an out-of-court agreement can be reached quickly, it may only take a matter of weeks. Other cases can take months or years. Do not be put off by the timeframe. A pedestrian accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase will take care of the case, so you do not have to worry about it. Let us handle every detail, keeping in regular contact to update you with any developments.
Yes, we do! At Bisnar Chase, we work on contingency. That means that we advance the costs required to win your case. You will not have to pay anything out of pocket. We will get a pre-agreed percentage of the recovery if we win for you. If we do not win, you will not owe us a dime. This system protects our clients and ensures our services are open to everyone. Contact our no win no fee Riverside pedestrian accident lawyers now.
What is My Riverside County Accident Claim Worth?
An injured victim in a pedestrian accident could file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. If you have been injured, financial compensation may be available for all of the financial and emotional losses you have suffered.
Negligent drivers can be held accountable for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- The cost of rehabilitation services
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent impacts on quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages
An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Riverside can help you receive the compensation you deserve and take on the negligent driver’s insurance company.
The Best Riverside Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Near Me
The law firm of Bisnar Chase has been representing Riverside accident victims for over 45 years. We have collected more than $900 million in compensation, and we may be able to help you too.
Our team comprises dedicated professionals who share a passion for helping people. Our mission is to fight for the rights of pedestrian accident victims. We know that you are turning to us at a difficult time, and we take our responsibility very seriously.
We have a strong local reputation across the Riverside area. We have handled cases across California, from the Inland Empire through Orange County, with an outstanding 99% success rate. If you are looking for the best pedestrian accident lawyers near you, look no further.
Contact our Riverside pedestrian accident lawyers now to start your claim. Call (951) 530-3711 for a free initial consultation with no obligations. You can also use our website to send us an email or use the 24/7 live chat feature.
