In California, there is always the possibility of making a claim, so long as the pedestrian is not the sole cause of the accident. As a pedestrian accident victim, you may find yourself severely injured, unable to work, and racking up an outrageous amount of unexpected medical debt. If a motorist was fully or partially responsible for your injuries while you were a pedestrian, you may be entitled to compensation. Partial fault for the accident in which you were injured does not exclude all rights of recovery.
You Are Not Automatically Barred From Compensation If You Are Partially at Fault for Your Accident
In California, having contributed to your pedestrian accident doesn't automatically bar you from collecting compensation. This is because the state follows the legal doctrine of pure comparative negligence. Under this system, all parties are assigned a percentage of fault and then any financial awards are reduced accordingly. For example, if you were 10 percent responsible and received a $100,000 financial award, it would be reduced to $90,000 to reflect your assigned percentage of fault.
If you think your actions may have contributed to your pedestrian accident, it's important to speak with a California accident and injury attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and, if you hire them to represent you, they'll conduct a thorough investigation into your accident to determine liability and the options you have available. They may even be able to negotiate to have you assigned a lower percentage of fault, allowing you to take home more of whatever damages you may be awarded.
Consult a Knowledgeable California Personal Injury Attorney
At the Inland Empire Law Group, our skilled injury recovery professionals have helped numerous victims obtain the compensation they need and deserve after a devastating pedestrian accident. We'd love an opportunity to discuss your case to determine if we can help you, too. Want to know more? Contact us today at (909) 481-0100 or toll free (888) 694-3529 to schedule an appointment for a free, initial case consultation. Don't wait—California's statute of limitations gives you just two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit seeking damages.
Related Links: |