A Trusted & Expert Pedestrian Accident Attorney — Fresno, CA
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, The Law Offices of Daniel Kim will help you seek justice. Our clients are our top priority, which is why we dedicate our time and efforts to holding the reckless motorists that brought them harm accountable for their negligence.
Our Fresno personal injury lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, so clients never pay any upfront costs and are only compensated if a case is a success. Schedule a free consultation, and we can begin building your winning case today.
If you have further questions pertaining to injuries you or someone you know suffered from other auto-related accidents, learn more about the individual services our award-winning law firm offers.
Other Practice Areas We Specialize In
Contents
- Did You Suffer Serious Injuries in a Pedestrian Accident?
- Why Hire Daniel Kim?
- What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
- Is It Worth Hiring a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
- How is the Value of a Pedestrian Accident Claim Determined?
- What Causes a Pedestrian Accident?
- Are Pedestrians Ever at Fault?
- What Are the Most Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
- Fresno Pedestrian Accident Statistics
- Directions to Our Fresno Office
Did You Suffer Serious Injuries in a Pedestrian Accident?
Suffering the ramifications of someone else’s negligence is unjust. This is why our Fresno law firm strives to not just fight for our clients, but we strive to win for them. Pedestrian accidents can result in life-altering injuries, lost wages, and severe post-traumatic stress. The devastation is only heightened when those accidents resulted from hit-and-run drivers. If you are the victim of a personal injury accident involving a reckless driver, you deserve to be fully compensated.
As one of the top Fresno personal injury firms, The Law Offices of Daniel Kim specializes in automobile-related accidents. We understand the severe impact personal injury accidents have on its victims, especially California pedestrian accidents. Our firm is proud to serve the neighboring cities of Kern County, Madera County, Monterey County, Tulare County, and more. If you or someone you know were involved in a Fresno pedestrian accident due to the negligence of a motorist on the road, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries.
The Law Offices of Daniel Kim can help you file a successful personal injury claim against the liable party. To inquire about our services, schedule a free consultation with our Fresno law offices. We’ll fight to protect your rights and help you recover the compensation you are rightfully owed.
Why Hire Daniel Kim as Your Fresno Pedestrian Accident Attorney?
There are a plethora of personal injury law firms to choose from throughout Fresno County, so why The Law Offices of Daniel Kim?
Daniel and his team take genuine pride in helping accident victims overcome their situations. Our work and dedication have garnered national attention from The National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (NAOPIA), The National Association of Distinguished Counsel (NADC), and a Top 10 honor from the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys.
The firm maintains a 99% success rate and earned a place in the Million Dollar Advocate Forum. This is an exclusive group that can only be joined by attorneys who have won multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements; less than 1% of lawyers qualify. When we accept a case, it is because we are confident in our ability to obtain full financial recovery on behalf of our clients.
We will inform you of your case’s progress and advise what legal actions should be taken. If you are suffering from an accident, allow our award-winning team to help you recoup your losses. We operate on a contingency fee basis, so you will never be charged upfront legal fees, and if your case does not produce the desired outcome, you will owe nothing. To get started, schedule a free case evaluation here or via phone at (559) 552-7711; a team member is available to assist 24/7.
What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
A pedestrian accident can cause serious injury. If physically capable, there are actions that should be taken immediately following the crash. These recommendations will promote a smoother recovery and improve a personal injury claim’s success.
- Ensure Safety – Call 911 and request an ambulance if necessary. The responding police officers will create a police report, which is needed for an injury claim. A copy of this accident report must be obtained.
- Collect Information – Full name, insurance company, and contact information must be obtained from all parties, including witnesses.
- Retain Evidence – Take photos of sustained injuries, the entire crash site (all involved motor vehicles, street signs, skid marks, etc.), and the license plate of the motor vehicle. Also, keep a log of everything that can be recalled about the crash, as some key details may be forgotten later.
- Seek Medical Treatment – See a doctor and check for injuries as soon as possible. This absolutely cannot be skipped, as only medical professionals can properly diagnose injuries and recommend effective recovery plans.
- Limit Communication – If contacted by the other party’s insurance company, do not provide any recorded statements, and do not sign anything.
Seeking legal counsel from Fresno pedestrian accident lawyers is strongly recommended after an accident. However, for anyone contemplating legal representation, please take advantage of our free case evaluation.
The consultation will provide experienced legal insight and work as an opportunity to get to know the firm, allowing potential clients to make a more informed decision on whether or not we are the right fit.
Are Fresno Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Worth Hiring?
The benefits an attorney provides to clients in a pedestrian accident case are extremely invaluable. The Law Offices of Daniel Kim offers clients the resources needed to prove liability and provides the experience required to obtain a successful case outcome. Other benefits pedestrian accident attorneys give to clients include:
- Establishing an accurate evaluation of a case’s value, backed by extensive experience
- Aggressive negotiating skills to obtain the highest financial settlement
- Thorough private investigation of the accident to prove fault on the liability party
- Access to exclusive Fresno medical specialists to ensure proper recovery treatment
- Take the case to litigation in order to recover the full extent of losses
- Protection from an insurance company attempting to shift fault on the victims
Insurance companies have a goal to protect their bottom line. They accomplish this by undervaluing insurance claims and settling low. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer protects injured victims from being misled into accepting an unfair offer. If necessary, we will proceed with a personal injury lawsuit so that maximum compensation is recovered.
How Fault Is Proven in a Pedestrian Accident Case
Similar to car accidents, in order to recover damages, the plaintiff filing the claim must show that the defendant was, in fact, at-fault. In order to accomplish this, “negligence” must be proven. Negligence can be established based on four legal elements:
- A duty of care was owed to the plaintiff
- The defendant breached that duty of care
- The breach of duty caused the accident
- As a result, the plaintiff suffered damages
Everyone owes a duty of care not to endanger others. When that duty is breached due to negligent drivers, victims of those accidents are entitled to financial compensation.
Unfortunately, the injured party does not always receive a fair settlement amount from the liable party. As the leading Fresno pedestrian accident lawyer, Daniel Kim will defend your rights and advocate for the highest settlement. Our legal strategies have earned us a 99% success rating.
How Is the Value of a Pedestrian Accident Claim Determined?
A negligent driver could be held liable for various damages to compensate victims for their losses. This can consist of economic damages which cover financial loss and non-economic damages which cover intangible loss. Recoverable economic and non-economic damages include:
- Current medical bills
- Emotional distress
- Future medical expenses
- Loss of future earnings
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
The outcome and severity of every personal injury accident will result in various types of damages and medical expenses, which is why the value of pedestrian accident cases will always vary. During the free case evaluation, our law offices can provide an estimate of how much your personal injury claim could be worth.
Other Forms of Damages in Fresno Pedestrian Accidents
A wrongful death claim can be filed by surviving family members if the accident resulted in fatal injuries. In this type of case, families can be compensated for funeral and burial expenses, along with other damages that were a direct result of the accident.
Punitive damages can also be awarded after a personal injury claim is filed. In addition to recovering compensation, punitive damages are intended to punish the guilty party for particularly egregious acts, like drinking and driving.
What Are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
Negligence is often tied to most auto-related accidents, commonly exemplified in distracted driving. A negligent driver who is not fully engaged in driving is more prone to causing car accidents or pedestrian accidents. Other common causes include:
- Aggressive driving
- Backing up before checking rearview mirrors
- Disobeying traffic signs
- Driving under the influence (DUI/DWI)
- Drowsiness
- Failing to stop at a stop sign
- Illegal U-turns
- Not yielding to pedestrians at intersections
- Running red lights at a crosswalk
- Speeding
- Texting
There are many other causes that can lead to accidents involving pedestrians. The reason behind your accident does not have to be common in order to qualify for compensation. To discuss your case in detail, schedule a free consultation.
Can Pedestrians Be The Ones At Fault in an Accident?
There are some instances where a pedestrian could be found at fault for being injured in a car accident. For example, a pedestrian crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk can be deemed as an act of negligence on the pedestrian. Both drivers and pedestrians owe a duty of care to follow the rules of the road, and when that duty is breached, fault can fall on either or both sides.
However, compensation is still attainable. Additionally, traffic laws are constantly changing. With the latest Freedom to Walk Bill passing, jaywalking will no longer be illegal under California law. This could ultimately affect how fault is determined in a pedestrian accident case.
When the police are called to the accident scene or when talking to insurance adjusters, ensure you are being honest about the facts, but also never admit fault. An attorney can still recover compensation for pedestrian accident victims who are partially at fault, as the evidence will indicate which party accounted for a higher percentage of responsibility.
What Are the Most Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
The harm sustained in an accident can range from minor injuries to catastrophic injuries. While visible injuries will clearly require immediate treatment, other injuries may not be as easily detectable.
This is why it is absolutely vital to seek medical attention regardless of how injured someone appears to be. Doing so can prevent an injury from becoming fatal or causing disability. Common pedestrian injuries include:
- Amputation
- Bone breaks and fractures
- Cuts and lacerations
- Head injuries
- Disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
- Internal bleeding
- Neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Permanent scarring
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Wrongful death
Fresno Pedestrian Accident Statistics
A pedestrian is considered anyone who is traveling by foot or with the assistance of a mobility device, like a wheelchair. Those on skateboards, non-motorized scooters, and roller skates are also considered pedestrians.
In the US, there were a reported 104,000 emergency room visits to treat non-fatal accident injuries in 2020. Alcohol was involved in almost half of the fatal accidents involving pedestrians. Speeding was another major contributing factor.
Fresno currently ranks as one of the most dangerous cities in the US for pedestrian accidents with 161 fatal accidents occurring from 2016-2020. Studies show that the lack of crosswalks, wide car lanes, and big intersections contribute to the overwhelming amount of accidents in the city.
Dangerous Roads and Intersections
Because Highway 99 runs along the city of Fresno, there is a substantial amount of pedestrian accidents that often take place compared to other cities. The roads that experience the most accidents include:
- Angus Ave.
- Ashlan Ave.
- Blackstone Ave.
- Cedar Ave.
- Clinton Ave.
- First St.
- Shaw Ave.
- Tulare Ave.
- Valentine Ave.
Directions to Our Fresno Office
Car Accident Lawyer Daniel Kim in Fresno, CA
Address: 1221 Van Ness Ave Ste 406, Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: (559) 552-7711
START YOUR FREE CONSULTATION