If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you may be familiar with the four paved recreational trails for walking, hiking, and biking in the area. They are much safer than navigating the busy roadways that crisscross the city, but there are times you need to travel through other areas on foot.

Because a negligent motorist can do debilitating damage to pedestrians, you should always be vigilant, even if you are using crosswalks and walking in light traffic. Knowing some common causes of pedestrian accidents in Modesto can help you avoid them. But if a motorist does act negligently and injures you, our motorcycle wreck attorneys could litigate your case.

What Are Motorists’ Common Negligent Acts That Injure Pedestrians?

The Office of Traffic Safety reports that California ranks first in the nation for pedestrian traffic fatalities at a rate almost 25 percent higher than the national average. Modesto ranks in the top five deadliest cities in the state for pedestrian incidents, all sobering statistics that encourage you to be mindful of what causes these accidents.

Pedestrians are no match for two-ton cars, and injuries are almost always severe. Along with your medical bills and lost wages, you can face long bouts of pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and disfigurement for life. Some common causes of vehicle-pedestrian collisions include:

  • Ignoring traffic signals
  • Failing to see pedestrians in crosswalks
  • Driving drunk or high, impairing judgment
  • Driving too fast for inclement weather conditions
  • Distracted driving from texting, eating, talking to passengers, or talking on cell phones

Pedestrian accidents, whether predicated on common causes or unusual ones, are litigated based on negligence of the motorist. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who work with insurance companies to recover suitable settlements. If insurers do not cooperate, we are capable litigators with more than 70 years of combined experience and a history of excellence.

Elements of Negligence

Proving negligence requires your attorney to establish four building blocks: duty, breach, causation, and damages (or injuries).

Motorists have a duty to everyone sharing the road, including other motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists. This duty is to act as any other reasonable person would act in the same situation. If they fall below this expectation, they breach their duty. If you are a pedestrian injured by a negligent motorist, you may be eligible for compensation for your losses, including:

  • Lost wages
  • Disfigurement
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Medical and rehabilitative bills
  • Emotional and psychological trauma

Collisions with pedestrians in Modesto are common with various causes, but the Heavy Hitters™ have documented results for winning large settlements for clients.

Call Us in Modesto To Learn More About the Common Reasons for Pedestrian Wreck Claims

Whether walking for exercise or as an economical way to get around, you should be able to do so safely. However, sharing the road with negligent motorists can lead to dangerous situations. If you have fallen victim to one of the many common causes of pedestrian accidents in Modesto, you have limited time to file a claim.

Contact the Heavy Hitters™ for help pursuing the compensation you deserve. Insurers and opposing attorneys may try to pay you as little as possible for your damages. Let us build your case and advocate for you.