Walking can sometimes, unfortunately, be risky for pedestrians as hundreds are either injured or killed in accidents in Oakland and Northern California every year. Although the count has been slightly declining in the city, the number of pedestrian fatalities, including older people, is still rising.
If you were injured by any vehicle while walking as a pedestrian because of the driver’s negligence, you must speak with a personal injury attorney Oakland to understand your legal rights.
Without having an attorney to back you up, it can be challenging to file a lawsuit and fight for compensation. Here are some of the other benefits of hiring a lawyer after a pedestrian accident.
Emotional Support
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports, Oakland and other cities in California are ranked top in the entire country for pedestrian fatalities.
Especially in the aftermath of a pedestrian accident, anger, frustration, emotional and physical pain can sometimes obscure your vision and stop you from seeing clearly. An excellent personal injury attorney in Oakland will offer emotional support and help you make the right choices when it comes to the case.
Good Compensation
Pedestrian accidents are considered personal injuries and sometimes occur because of the negligence of someone else. In such situations, you have all the rights to seek compensation for your injuries and damage in the form of a personal injury claim with the help of a personal injury attorney.
California works on a fault system and uses this way to assess personal injury claims. Based on the negligence rule, the state holds the right to decrease the compensation amount depending on the percentage of fault that falls on the injured person.
So, victims of pedestrian accidents in Oakland need a reliable personal injury lawyer who understands the local federal and state laws to build a strong defense and acquire a good amount of compensation.
Handling the Paperwork
Handling and working through medical and insurance paperwork can be overwhelming, even during normal circumstances. But when you are already snowed under a heap of issues after the accident, you will not spare enough time to address the different paperwork.
Suppose you are involved in a pedestrian accident in Oakland, according to the laws in California, you have to adhere to the statute of limitations of two years before filing the lawsuit. Filing the claim alone without anyone’s help can be challenging, especially right after the accident, and this is where a good personal injury lawyer can help.
Access to Legal Resources
Sometimes, the insurance companies in Oakland and the defendant may try to coax you and take advantage of your lack of understanding of the latest laws in California. Hiring a reliable lawyer from Oakland can lessen your losses and help avoid getting into debt due to the lack of compensation.
As local attorneys in Broadway and other parts of Downtown Oakland have good experience working the local law and have all legal resources, they help protect your rights and stop you from making any adverse agreements.
Working with an experienced personal injury attorney in Oakland will give you the best chances to win the pedestrian accident lawsuit or claim. If you find yourself in such a situation, reach out to a local attorney immediately.