Castro Valley Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Castro Valley, California

In recent years, there has been an alarming surge in pedestrian accidents and deaths in California. Electronic devices, breaking traffic laws, and more vehicles and pedestrians sharing the road have contributed to this rise. While all motorists have a legal obligation to avoid injuring pedestrians, pedestrian accidents are still common.

Pedestrian accidents result in severe or fatal injuries more frequently than accidents only involving other vehicles. Victims usually struggle with high medical expenses on top of losing income and experiencing painful, long-lasting injuries. That’s not even taking into account the psychological effects of such a life-altering event. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer from Setareh Law may be able to assist you in recovering financial compensation for your losses.

Who Is Considered a Pedestrian in Castro Valley?

When we think of pedestrians, we think of people crossing the road or walking along the street. However, the definition of a pedestrian is much broader. Under California state law, anyone on foot or using a human-powered mode of transportation other than a bicycle while near traffic can be considered a pedestrian. 

A pedestrian can be a person performing any of the following actions while in an area with traffic:

• Hiking
• Lying down
• Riding a non-electric scooter
• Running
• Sitting
• Standing
• Using roller skates or blades
• Walking
• Skateboarding

Since they are near traffic, pedestrians may be injured due to a collision with a bicycle or other vehicle. Accidents typically occur when a motorist or pedestrian fails to exercise adequate caution or behaves recklessly. Without the same barriers and protections as motorists, pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injury or death for the person on foot. Pedestrian accident victims may have a case against whoever struck them and should consider working with a skilled lawyer.

What Laws Regulate Pedestrians in Castro Valley?

Several statutes protect California pedestrians and regulate how they should interact with traffic. These regulations establish where individuals can legally tread without interfering with traffic.

Other relevant legislation in California’s Vehicle Code concerning pedestrians include:

• VC 21954: Pedestrians who aren’t in a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crossing at an intersection must surrender the right-of-way to any vehicles on the roadway that are close enough to pose an imminent hazard.
• VC 21955: Pedestrians shall not cross the roadway except in a crosswalk between adjacent intersections managed by traffic control signal devices or police officers.
• VC 21950: Except in specific cases, a vehicle driver must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the street at a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
• VC 21960: The Department of Transportation and local governments may prohibit or limit pedestrians from using highways, expressways, or portions thereof.
• VC 21966: No pedestrian shall proceed along a bicycle path or lane where there is an adjacent adequate pedestrian facility.

Regulations are often packed with terminology and wording that can be difficult to understand for the average person. This sort of wording lends itself to being interpreted in different ways,  but that can put accident victims at a disadvantage if interpretation is used by an opposing party to deny their claim. 

Those who have been injured by a vehicle while not occupying a vehicle themselves may benefit from the services of a pedestrian accident attorney who has an in-depth understanding of the law and can skillfully interpret it to their client’s advantage.

Where Do Most Castro Valley Pedestrian Accidents Occur?

A pedestrian accident can occur anytime and anywhere, but there are certain areas where they are more likely to occur. According to a 2018 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on pedestrian traffic fatalities, most pedestrian incidents occur in urban areas on road segments with no intersections. 

Other locations where pedestrian accidents often occur include:

• Bicycle lanes
• Driveways
• Medians
• Parking lanes
• Roadsides
• Shared paths
• Sidewalks

Typically, multiple factors contribute to a pedestrian being involved in an accident. The majority of fatal pedestrian accidents, according to the NHTSA, occur at night. Though factors like visibility, road hazards, and distractions likely play a role, pedestrians and motorists still have a responsibility to act in a way that does not directly lead to another’s harm.

Get Legal Advice From a Reliable Castro Valley Pedestrian Accident Lawyer 

Road safety is something that parents and teachers have tried to ingrain in us since childhood. However, we know that nothing is ever as straightforward as we are taught. Following safety best practices doesn’t make it impossible for you to experience a pedestrian accident, and being responsible may not be enough to ensure you receive justice. 

Obtaining compensation from irresponsible drivers is one of the most effective ways to hold them accountable for the harm they have caused. Setareh Law Firm has the resources necessary to provide you with essential information to move forward successfully. Attorney Daniel Setareh is an amicable personality who can easily converse with Spanish-speaking clients. Call (310) 659-1826 or submit our contact form to schedule your free consultation.