Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in San Bernardino – Serving Southern California
Pedestrian accidents are unfortunately common in San Bernardino and across Southern California. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,590 people were killed as pedestrians in motor vehicle crashes in 2018—a five percent increase from 2017.
If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident, your whole life may get turned upside down. One minute you’re crossing the street on the way to work, and the next, you’re facing a lifetime of disability, pain, and suffering.
During this difficult time, insurance companies may pressure you into signing a quick settlement. They do this because they know how catastrophic pedestrian injuries genuinely are. They don’t want to pay you what you need. Do not sign anything without first calling our law firm.
At William D. Shapiro Law, Inc., our San Bernardino pedestrian accident attorneys can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights to compensation. We know the tactics insurance companies use to reduce their liabilities, and we fight back.
Helping Injured Pedestrians Like You
For over forty years, the San Bernardino personal injury lawyers at William D. Shapiro Law, Inc., have helped pedestrians who suffered serious injuries in accidents, including:
- Brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Fractures
- Amputation and disfigurement
- Road rash
- Internal organ damage
We work with medical teams and experts to determine how your injuries will affect your life and future. After all, any settlement or award you receive should be enough to cover all your damages, including any future medical expenses and costs.
Insurance Companies Are Not On Your Side
After an accident, the insurance companies for the other driver involved may try to blame you for the accident and attempt to pay out as little money as possible for your damages. However, an experienced San Bernardino pedestrian accident lawyer at our law firm can ensure that your rights as a pedestrian are respected and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Our attorneys have experience dealing with insurance companies and know how to negotiate on your behalf.
Receiving Fair Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident
It is not uncommon for insurance companies to offer much less than what you deserve in terms of compensation following a pedestrian accident. That’s why you need to call our law firm immediately. Our attorneys can calculate the actual damages due to you, including medical expenses, lost wages due to missed work, pain, suffering, and more. This way, you can be sure that you are receiving the maximum compensation possible from the insurance company. With our law firm on your side, you can focus on recovering from the incident with peace of mind knowing that all of your needs will be taken care of financially.
Preventing Pedestrian Accidents
The key to avoiding pedestrian accidents in San Bernardino is understanding the potential dangers on the road and taking necessary precautions. Here are some tips for staying safe while walking on or near roads:
- Make sure you are visible by wearing bright colors or reflective clothing when walking in low light conditions—especially at night.
- Always follow traffic signals and crosswalks when crossing roads. Do not cross against traffic lights or jaywalk.
- If a sidewalk is available, always use it instead of walking on the side of the road. If no sidewalk is available, walk facing traffic to see approaching vehicles more easily.
- Be aware of your surroundings and never assume drivers will see or stop for you.
- Never walk while distracted by phones or other devices. They can be a dangerous distraction while walking near roads with busy traffic.
Drivers should also watch for pedestrians on the road and take extra caution when driving in areas where pedestrians might be present such as school zones and residential neighborhoods. Drivers must be aware of their speed limit, obey traffic laws, and yield to pedestrians who have the right of way when turning onto a street or entering an intersection.
Drivers should also keep their eyes open for any unexpected pedestrians who may appear unexpectedly around blind corners or between parked cars where visibility is limited by obstructions such as shrubbery or trees. Additionally, drivers should always check for cyclists before opening car doors as cyclists often ride close to sidewalks where car doors may suddenly open into their path without warning, causing severe injury if not paying attention.
We all are responsible for staying safe on the roads, whether driving, cycling, or walking. However, pedestrians must take extra measures to protect themselves from potential motor vehicle dangers while out and about on foot.
Time is of the essence
There are specific time requirements and mandates that apply to certain claims depending on the type of claim being made, age of the claimant and who the claim is being made against. We urge you to contact counsel to find out what applies to your situation. Failure to make, serve and/or file a timely claim or complaint will bar even the chance of recovery thus we urge anyone seeking to make a recovery, to immediately retain counsel without delay.
Contact Our San Bernardino Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
The San Bernardino pedestrian accident attorneys at William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. know that pedestrians often suffer severe and life-changing injuries in accidents. They need maximum compensation to pay for medical bills and long-term care. We fight aggressively to ensure our pedestrian accident clients get the money they need to rebuild their lives. Call our law firm at (909) 890-1000 or fill out our confidential contact form today. We offer FREE initial consultations and reviews, so you can quickly get the answers you need.