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CAR ACCIDENTS WITH PEDESTRIANS OR BICYCLES

CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER IN SACRAMENTO

car accident lawyer in Sacramento

What Happens When Pedestrians or Bicycles Are Involved in Car Accidents

California is known for its year-round pleasant weather. The mild climate and beautiful views throughout the state make it a popular locale for biking and walking. Unfortunately, a walk or bike ride near a road that carries cars may be interrupted in the most unpleasant way – with a collision. If you or someone you know has been in an accident, reach out to a car accident lawyer in Sacramento to learn what legal rights you have.

What to do After Getting Hit by a Car

First, Seek medical attention

The most important thing to do after being hit by a car is to seek medical attention. Even if you don’t initially feel like you’ve incurred an injury, pay attention to any symptoms that arise in the hours, days, or even weeks immediately following the accident. Head injuries commonly present no immediate symptoms, even though there may be brain damage. It’s better to go to get a medical evaluation after an accident even if you aren’t necessarily in serious pain. A Sacramento accident attorney will also use your medical documents to fight for your case.

Second, Gather evidence

Once you’re sure you’ve received the appropriate medical treatment, try to gather as much evidence as possible. This can include:

  • The vehicle’s license plate number
  • The driver’s name and contact information
  • The driver’s insurance company and number
  • The details of the car (make, model, year, color)
  • The vehicle identification number
  • Contact information for any witnesses
  • Photographs of the scene
  • Photographs of vehicles involved in the collision or tire marks, damage to other objects, etc.
  • Photographs of any injuries
  • Your own written record of what you recall happening

Third, Call a car accident lawyer in Sacramento

Though you may feel it’s not necessary or perhaps you think it’s an expensive and excessive step, it’s important to seek legal advice after a collision. You never know if the other person will actually behave as nicely as they did in person when the bills start piling up and the insurance companies get involved. Seeking a legal evaluation from a car accident lawyer in Sacramento right after the collision can help you understand your situation and anticipate potential events before they occur.

Common Injuries in Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

Pedestrians and bicyclists are at a severe disadvantage in a collision with a vehicle. They have limited to no protection, are typically traveling much more slowly, and are less capable of making a quick movement to get out of the way. For this reason, their injuries are almost always more severe than those of the individuals inside the car. Some of the more common injuries include:

  • Broken bones
  • Severe bleeding
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Leg and knee injuries
  • Torn ligaments
  • Dislocated joints
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Paralysis
  • Death

Determining Who is at Fault in an Accident

As with car-to-car collisions, it’s important to determine who was at fault and to what degree. California is a partial-fault state, meaning that several individuals can be considered partially at fault for a single collision, instead of just one person or the other. You’ll need an experienced Sacramento accident attorney to help you prove fault.

There are several right-of-way laws in the state of California that are designed to protect pedestrians. This doesn’t mean that pedestrians always have the right-of-way, but they are generally protected and less likely to be considered at fault for a collision. Essentially, drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing the road within any marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Pedestrians must show that the driver was negligent in order to receive compensation for his or her injuries resulting from the collision. Negligence may include:

  • Speeding
  • Fatigued driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Reckless driving

Assigning blame in collisions between cars and bicycles can be more complicated as bicycles are meant to act as cars, but end up getting the brunt of the damage in collisions. Even though they are supposed to follow vehicle laws, they are difficult to see and behave much differently than motor vehicles. As with pedestrian collisions, fault is determined by negligent behavior, or the breach of duty of care as defined by California law.

  • Bicyclists also have a duty of care, including:
  • Following all traffic laws
  • Obeying traffic signals
  • Staying aware of their surroundings
  • Being sober while bicycling
  • Staying in the bike lanes
  • Staying to the right when traveling slowly
  • Using turn signals
  • Passing according to the law

Seek Legal Advice After An Accident

Determining who is a fault is the base of determining compensation and legal consequences for collisions. It can be very difficult to consider all the relevant factors and make a strong case that you were not at all at fault. This is especially true if you were the individual driving the car, and the bicyclist or pedestrian has the advantage of being at a physical disadvantage when making their case. It’s important to seek legal advice from a car accident lawyer in Sacramento that has experience with the type of collision you have been involved in. He or she will know how to navigate the system and how to make a strong argument for your innocence.

Injured in an Accident? Contact car accident lawyer in Sacramento for Help.

If you have been injured in a car, truck or motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another, regardless of the nature of the underlying accident, it is important to contact experienced auto accident lawyers in Sacramento at The Choyce Law Firm to discuss your legal options. We have offices in Sacramento & Fairfield, CA for your convenience and have the resources and expertise to aggressively litigate your case in court, fighting to get you just compensation for your injury.
 
Call (916) 306-0636 today for a free consultation with our car accident lawyer in Sacramento regarding your injury case.

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    • JACQUELINE SWINSON
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      This is my second time hiring Mr. Choyce for my son, who was charged with a criminal act. Both times that I hired Mr. Choyce, I was very impressed with his knowledge of the law, his professionalism, and the fact that he was relatable. He is trustworthy, tells you the truth about what you are facing. He is organized, he is a very good listener, came up with strategies that were appealing.I can’t say enough good about Mr. Choyce! I knew that he was going to give my son’s case everything he had, and he did!

    • JAMES CRAFT
      DUI Defense Client
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      Hiring the Choyce Law Firm was the best decision I made while trying to decide what to do after getting charged with a 3rd DUI. I tried to use a lawyer that I had previously used when in trouble with the law, he was near retirement and wasn’t able to give my case the attention I was looking for understanding that I was facing jail time. When contacting Mr Choyce we discussed my case and he told me he could help, he even knew my previous attorney. Mr Choyce was aggressive in fighting my case with filing motions on my behalf an trying to get my case dismissed, I was very pleased that he was not just looking to get the first deal the D.A. offered but was aggressively trying to win my case. Although we were not able to get the dismissal we were looking for he was able to keep me out of jail an I was able to serve my sentence on the EHD Program, which allowed me to keep my job an that was very important to me. Mr Choyce also handled a second case for me, I was charged with driving on a suspended license and no registration. Once again Mr Choyce was aggressive with this case and took it to trail an was able to get a not guilty verdict, which saved me a great deal of money in fines that would be pending with a guilty verdict. Overall hiring Mr Choyce and his team was the best decision I made, he provided great service at a respectable rate, an explained things as they were happening and with the charges I was facing I was very happy with the outcome of my cases that he handled. I would strongly recommend Mr Choyce and his team to anyone I know that needs legal representation he knows the law and will provide you with the best service you could hope for form a lawyer that wants to win.

    • JACQUELINE R.
      Personal Injury Client
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      “This is my second time using Mr. Choyce, and I would choose no one other than him. Both times that I hired him, it was for my son, and they were very serious cases. Mr. Choyce is smart, professional, practical, and relatable. He is a serious person, who listens, speaks in laymens terms, so that you understand what is going on. Not like some that I have experience, who talk over you, and dont take the time to really answer your questions.The second case got very close to going to trial, however, I was confident that I had the best of the best representing my son. Thank God that after willing to go to trial, we got a deal that, I think was a win win.I would definitely, without a question, hire Mr. Choyce again!”

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