Were you injured in a pedestrian accident in Torrance, California? If so, you deserve to be compensated fairly for injuries and damages caused by the negligent driver. Contact The Simon Law Group’s experienced Torrance pedestrian accident lawyers at (424) 622-0812 for a free case evaluation.
Our lawyers have over 250 years of combined legal experience. With that impressive experience and resources, our attorneys have recovered over $600 million for our clients since opening our firm in 2009.
As one of California’s top personal injury law firms, we are dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to each of our clients by treating them like family. Contact us now, we are available 24/7 to talk with you about your case.
How The Simon Law Group Can Help If You’ve Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident in Torrance, CA
If you were struck by a car in Torrance, CA, you may have suffered catastrophic injuries. Even a slow-speed pedestrian accident can cause severe harm. You may have substantial medical bills and lost wages, in addition to the pain and suffering you experience because of your injuries.
Our Torrance personal injury lawyers are equipped and prepared to negotiate a settlement or argue your case before a jury. Our legal team includes skilled, resourceful negotiators and seasoned, fierce trial lawyers. We have a proven track record of success and have won awards for the best trial lawyers throughout California almost every year since 2013.
When you hire our top-rated personal injury lawyers in Torrance, you can trust we will devote the utmost attention to your case.
You can expect us to:
- Explain personal injury claims and the law that applies to your case
- Investigate your pedestrian accident to determine how it occurred and who is responsible
- File insurance claims and handle all matters related to those claims
- Work with leading expert witnesses as needed to obtain additional evidence that strengthens your claim
- Determine the value of your case after carefully documenting your damages
- Defend you against allegations of blame
- Aggressively negotiate insurance settlements for the maximum value available
- File a lawsuit and argue your case before a jury if necessary
Our legal team will diligently pursue every source of compensation to maximize the amount you receive.
Learn more by calling The Simon Law Group to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Torrance, California.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Torrance, California
According to the GHSA, pedestrian fatalities in 2022 were the highest they have been since 1981. Pedestrian deaths are increasing faster than all other traffic fatalities.
California had the most pedestrian deaths in 2022, with approximately 1,100 fatalities. Texas had the next highest rate, with 834 deaths.
The causes of pedestrian accidents are similar to the causes of other traffic accidents. Negligence and distraction are the two most common reasons vehicles strike pedestrians.
Causes of pedestrian accidents in Torrance include:
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Impaired driving
- Fatigued and drowsy driving
- Malfunctioning traffic signals
- Poorly designed intersections and crosswalks
- Lack of signs and signals
Electric cars can increase the risk of a pedestrian accident in some situations. They are much quieter than other vehicles, so pedestrians may not hear them before stepping onto the road.
A pedestrian who contributes to the cause of the accident could receive less than the full value of their damages. California’s comparative negligence law reduces the victim’s compensation by their level of fault. Therefore, if you were 30% to blame for causing the accident, you can only receive 70% of the value of your damages.
Drivers and insurance companies often blame the pedestrian for causing or contributing to the cause of the accident. They want to avoid liability for the claim. Therefore, it’s better to allow our Torrance pedestrian accident attorneys to handle the communications with the insurance company to avoid saying something that could hurt your claim.
Pedestrian Accidents in Torrance Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries
In a pedestrian accident, a person’s body receives the full force of impact with a motor vehicle. The collision can throw the person through the air, slam them into another object, or cause the car to run over them. The result is catastrophic and life-threatening injuries.
Pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Crushing injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Loss of limbs and amputations
- Neck and back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries and nerve damage
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Skull fractures
Immediate medical treatment is required after most pedestrian accidents. It is wise to be checked by a physician as soon as possible, regardless of whether you believe you are seriously injured. Delays in medical treatment could put your life at risk and hurt a personal injury claim.
What Damages Can I Receive After a Pedestrian Accident in Torrance, California?
Once you prove that the driver caused the accident, you can seek compensation for your economic damages (monetary losses) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering).
The types of damages you might receive in a pedestrian accident claim depend on the facts of the case.
However, examples of damages include:
- The cost of your medical care and treatment, including rehabilitative care and future medical bills
- Loss of income, including lost wages, benefits, and reductions in earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses, including personal care and household services
- Long-term nursing and/or personal care
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Impairments and disabilities
- Diminished quality of life
In some cases, a jury may award punitive damages. These damages do not compensate you for losses, even though you receive the money. Instead, the damages “punish” the at-fault driver for conduct that rises to the level of malice, fraud, or oppression.
How Much Is My Torrance Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
Many factors impact the value of damages in a pedestrian accident.
Some of the common factors that could increase or decrease how much your case is worth include:
- Whether you are partially to blame for causing the accident
- The severity and type of your injuries
- The length of your recovery period
- The type of medical treatments required for your injuries
- Your appearance before and after the pedestrian accident (i.e., scarring and disfigurement)
- The amount of your financial losses
- The availability and policy limits of insurance coverage
- The strength of the evidence proving liability
Other factors may apply depending on the circumstances of your case. Our Torrance pedestrian accident lawyers will carefully analyze the factors in your case and determine how they may impact the outcome – and the best way to apply that to our strategy.
Proving Liability for a Pedestrian Accident in Torrance, CA
You must prove the legal elements of a personal injury claim before you can recover compensation for damages. Most pedestrian accident claims are based on negligence.
The elements of a negligence claim after a pedestrian accident are:
- The driver owed the pedestrian a duty of care. All drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and take reasonable steps to avoid causing harm.
- The driver breached the duty of care owed to the pedestrian. In other words, the driver failed to act with reasonable care while operating the automobile.
- The driver’s conduct was the proximate and direct cause of the pedestrian accident. Had it not been for the driver’s actions, the accident would not have happened.
- The pedestrian sustained injuries and suffered losses because of the driver’s conduct.
For example, a driver was texting while driving and hit a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The driver was negligent in failing to keep a watch on the road. That failure caused the accident.
Evidence in a pedestrian accident case varies but often includes videos, photographs, medical records, witness testimony, and expert opinions. At The Simon Law Group, we understand the burden of proof and will work diligently to obtain and secure the evidence we need to prove your case.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in California?
The California statute of limitations for most pedestrian accident claims is two years from the accident date. If you file a lawsuit after that date, the court can dismiss your claim.
However, exceptions to the statute and the facts of your case could alter the deadline for filing a claim. Therefore, we recommend that you contact our law firm as soon as possible to discuss your case with a Torrance pedestrian accident attorney.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced Torrance Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
We want to help you recover the best possible settlement for your pedestrian accident claim. Call The Simon Law Group today to request a free case review with one of our experienced Torrance pedestrian accident attorneys. We are here when you need trusted legal advice and aggressive representation.
