It is an unfortunate that pedestrians are frequently injured in accidents here in California, especially in Los Angeles. Many of these accidents involve vehicles and drivers who fail to meet their responsibilities under the law. Other times a motorist may be outright negligent and unnecessarily expose victims to serious personal injuries.  Our Los Angeles hit by car lawyer explains some common negligent causes of pedestrian knockdowns and what your rights may be under the law.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Knockdowns

Unfortunately, when it comes to pedestrian accidents, most are due to a driver’s negligence. The most common causes of pedestrian accidents are caused by

• Driver distraction
• Speeding
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Not obeying signs, signals, and traffic laws
• Not signaling prior to a turn
• Driver impairment due to drugs or alcohol
• Driver disregard for weather conditions, and
• Many other negligence cases.

Liability for Hitting a Pedestrian

A driver owes a duty of care to others sharing the road, including pedestrians. This requires a motorist to abide by traffic laws and take reasonable precautions while driving.

When a driver fails to drive cautiously, pedestrians are at risk and a driver not exercising reasonable care can be found negligent for any accident that results from that failure. When a pedestrian is injured, the driver may be found fully or partially liable for any injuries and damages that the pedestrian has sustained.

Ask our Lawyers for Help

This is not to say that a pedestrian does not have their own responsibilities when it comes to safety on the roads. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident and want to know your rights under the law, you should consult with a Los Angeles hit by a car lawyer in California. For more information and a FREE case review, contact us today at (888) 588-1777.  We are ready and willing to help.