Our San Bernardino pedestrian accident lawyers at Bisnar Chase have over 45 years of experience fighting for our clients’ rights. We will work tirelessly for the compensation you deserve.
Pedestrians who are hit by vehicles are vulnerable to catastrophic and fatal injuries. If you or someone you know is injured, you need our legal experts on your side.
The Best Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Near You
Bisnar Chase is an award-winning personal injury law firm with an office in San Bernardino. We stop at nothing in the fight for justice.
- Our firm has a 99% success rate.
- We have recovered over $1 billion for our clients.
- In business since 1978, with decades of experience.
- Offering a free consultation – no win, no fee.
Pedestrian accident victims are left with escalating medical expenses, loss of income as a result of being unable to work while recovering, continuing treatment costs, and long-term losses involving permanent injuries or disabilities.
Contact us for a free consultation with no obligations. We want to help in any way we can, and we will review your accident and provide expert guidance. Call (909) 253-0750 for more information about your legal rights. You can also send us an email or use our 24/7 website live chat.
Legal Resources for Pedestrian Accidents in San Bernardino
The Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in San Bernardino County
There are plenty of potential causes of pedestrian accidents. Some of the most common causes that we’ve seen include:
- Driver Negligence: The majority of pedestrian accidents are caused by reckless or negligent actions by vehicle drivers. This can include anything from distracted driving to driving under the influence.
- Poor Visibility: In some cases, drivers fail to see pedestrians due to poor visibility. This could be due to a lack of street lighting, the road layout, or bad weather conditions.
- Road Layout: The layout or design of a road or intersection can create dangers for pedestrians when it restricts the visibility of a crossing. Examples include crossings positioned around a blind bend or by a left turn.
- Pedestrian Actions: In some cases, pedestrians themselves can make an accident more likely. They might jaywalk in areas without crossings, step into the street unexpectedly, or wear dark clothing at night that makes it difficult to see them. It should be noted that this does not necessarily prevent an injured pedestrian from taking legal action if another party was also at fault.
- Quiet Cars: Some electric cars are nearly silent, making it more likely that a pedestrian will step in front of a vehicle without realizing it is approaching.
- Auto Defects: Some accidents are caused by vehicle malfunctions. For example, we have handled cases involving brake failure or sudden unintended acceleration. Any injuries may be attributed to the vehicle manufacturer rather than the driver.
Examples of Driver Negligence
The majority of pedestrian accidents are caused by mistakes or wrongful actions by the driver of the offending vehicle. We have handled many of these cases, including:
- Speeding.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Distracted driving while eating or using a phone.
- Failing to obey street signs, including stop signs.
Parking Lot Accidents
A lot of pedestrian accidents occur in parking lots. Although vehicles should be moving fairly slowly in these spaces, the high volume of foot and vehicle traffic can easily lead to disaster.
Whether your accident was caused by driver error or a mechanical malfunction, Bisnar Chase is here to help. We have an award-winning team with decades of experience winning pedestrian accident cases. You can trust uswith your case.
Maximize your compensation by hiring the best San Bernardino pedestrian accident lawyers in your area. Bisnar Chase has an outstanding track record. More importantly, we always put our clients first. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Bisnar Chase Will Help
If you or someone you know has been hit by a car and sustained an injury, you need a personal injury attorney working on your case.
The aftermath of an accident can be chaotic, whether your injuries are catastrophic or relatively minor. You will have medical appointments and treatment to focus on. The legal process is long and complex, and you need our experts handling that while you focus on getting better.
- We offer a free consultation with no obligations. Get in touch and let us assess what happened.
- Our team will investigate your accident and put a target value range on your case. Along the way, we will handle all financial negotiations, filing, and compliance with legal deadlines.
- We handle all negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company. In most cases, we will look to negotiate a fair out-of-court settlement.
- To maximize the value of your case, we will build a body of evidence. Depending on the case, that may include recording witness depositions and working with experts.
- When the facts or value of a case cannot be agreed, we will file a pedestrian accident lawsuit. If necessary, we will take your case all the way to trial.
- We offer a no win, no fee promise. That means we advance the money necessary to win your case, advancing all the upfront fees. Our fees come from the final settlement, saving you from out-of-pocket payouts.
Throughout this entire process, we provide the legal advice and personal support you need. We will be in regular contact with you and take pride in being there for injury victims across the Inland Empire community.
Contact Bisnar Chase today for a risk-free case review. We are here to help, whether that means signing your case ourselves, referring you to another law firm, or providing expert guidance on your next steps. Call (909) 253-0750 or send us a message online.
What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
There are several important traffic safety steps you would be well advised to take if you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident:
- First and foremost, make sure you and the other injured individuals are in a safe place. Contact emergency personnel so you and others who have been injured can get medical attention right away.
- If you are able, exchange contact information such as names, phone numbers and insurance information.
- If anyone saw the incident, make sure you obtain his or her identification and contact information as well.
- Take photos of the accident scene including the position of the vehicles, the roadway and your injuries.
- Preserve important evidence such as torn or bloody clothing.
- Avoid talking extensively with those at the scene. Do not admit fault.
- Make sure you contribute to the police report so that your version of the incident gets into the report. Obtain a copy of the report.
- Get prompt medical attention and diagnostics. Follow the doctor’s instructions in terms of getting the necessary treatment and care.
- Keep track of all expenses from emergency care costs and medical bills to lost wages and other costs relating to the injury.
We know that pedestrian accident victims who have suffered significant injuries will not be able to carry out many of these steps, especially evidence collection at the scene. Don’t worry, your legal team will take it from here.
Above all, we advise people to contact a San Bernardino pedestrian accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase before doing anything else. Let us value your case, help you explore your options, and handle all insurance negotiations and inquiries.
Pedestrian Right of Way: Who is at Fault?
Under the state of California Vehicle Code Section 21950 (a), motorists are required to stop and yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians who are walking in marked or unmarked crosswalks.
Drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians in many instances, taking due care to avoid collisions, observe the rules of the road, and protect pedestrians.
It is important to note that pedestrians also have responsibilities. They should only walk in designated areas and take proper care around traffic. But the onus is often on the driver, due to the level of damage they can cause when not taking care. Pedestrians do not ALWAYS have the right of way, but they do in many scenarios.
What If You Were Jaywalking When You Were Hit?
If the pedestrian was partly at fault for the accident occurring, they can still win compensation for their injuries if another party was also responsible.
For example, if the pedestrian was crossing the street outside of a marked crossing and was hit by a speeding car, both parties share some fault.
Under California’s comparative negligence law, you can still take legal action if you share fault. However, your compensation will be reduced in line with your degree of fault.
If you think you might have a case, or are unsure if your accident qualifies for a claim, get in touch with us at Bisnar Chase.
Who is Legally Liable for Your Injuries?
Our firm will analyze your accident and identify any liable parties. Legal liability refers to the responsibility for the accident occurring. In general, anyone whose actions caused the accident will be financially liable for the injuries and damages.
In pedestrian accident cases in San Bernardino, the most common liable parties include:
- A negligent driver.
- An auto manufacturer, if an auto defect contributed to the accident.
- A government entity, if a dangerous roadway or a lack of lighting contributed to the accident.
- The pedestrian themselves if their actions contributed to the accident.
It is important to note that the time limit that you have to file a legal action varies depending on the liable party. In most cases, you will have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim against a negligent driver. But you would only have six months to register a claim against a government entity in California.
Contact our team at Bisnar Chase as soon as you can and let us get the ball rolling. We will identify any liable parties and ensure they are held accountable.
What is Your Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
The amount of compensation we can recover for you will depend on the impact an accident has had. The more significant the damage, the greater the compensation required to make the victim whole.
We will fight for the maximum compensation for you. This will often include:
- Medical expenses.
- Lost wages.
- Pain and suffering.
- Compromised quality of life.
- Ongoing treatment and rehab costs.
- Medical equipment compensation.
- Property damage.
- Loss of future earning potential or ability to work in chosen field.
- Punitive damages.
In catastrophic pedestrian injury cases, the victim might be left with a neck or brain injury. In the most serious cases, they might suffer a life-altering spinal cord injury that impacts them forever.
A collision between a car and a pedestrian, even at slower speeds, has the potential to cause extreme damage. Bisnar Chase has a team of expert pedestrian accident attorneys who will fight for every dollar you deserve, including future medical care in the most severe instances.
Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death
Pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic, if not fatal, injuries. If you have lost a loved one to a fatal pedestrian accident, we will work with the surviving family members to bring a wrongful death lawsuit and win justice for the deceased.
Wrongful death actions are typically brought by immediate family members or those who were financially reliant on the victim. The compensation for this kind of claim includes:
- Medical expenses.
- Pain and suffering for the victim before they passed.
- Funeral costs.
- Loss of financial support.
- Future income.
- Loss of love, care, support, and companionship.
While the financial aspects are important, many people are more concerned about gaining a sense of justice and closure.
If you have lost a loved one, we are here to honor their memory and help you every step of the way. Contact the Bisnar Chase team today at (909) 253-0750.
Our No Win, No Fee Promise to Accident Victims
We protect our clients from out-of-pocket costs. To do that, we work on contingency. This means we advance the expenses required to win your case. We cover all of the upfront costs, from filing fees to hiring expert witnesses.
Once your case has been resolved, our fees come from the final settlement or jury verdict amount. Attorney fees are controlled by California law. In most cases, it will be capped at 33.3%, though that may rise if a case goes to trial or requires a lot of resources.
Since that amount comes from the settlement, you will never pay anything out of pocket. Better yet, we only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
Preventing Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians must cross streets only at intersections and marked crosswalks. Do not cross in the middle of a street or between cars. Continuously watch for traffic as you cross the street.
Avoid walking on roads without sidewalks and crosswalks. If you must do so, walk facing traffic. Always look both ways before crossing the street.
Enhance your visibility at night or in the dark by wearing reflective or bright clothing. Follow the rules of the road.
Drivers must remember that they can encounter pedestrians anywhere and at any time. Pay attention to crosswalks and come to a complete stop to allow pedestrians who are crossing.
Pay attention to traffic controls. Yield to pedestrians even if there is no crosswalk. Be particularly attentive around schools and neighborhoods where there are children present.
Award-Winning San Bernardino Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Near You
Bisnar Chase has a very well-established name as one of the top personal injury law firms in San Bernardino, handling cases across California. We have a reputation for providing superior representation.
We have been representing pedestrian accident victims for over 45 years. Over that time, we have established a 99% success rate with more than $1 billion recovered for our clients.
Nothing is more important to us than fighting for the rights of accident victims, holding wrongdoers accountable, and maximizing compensation for our clients. We fight for justice and make our streets safer.
Contact our San Bernardino pedestrian accident lawyers at Bisnar Chase for a free consultation. You can call us at (909) 253-0750, send us an email, or use our 24/7 website live chat. Our experts are here to help, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Brian Chase
Articles and blogs have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
Serving California Since 1978
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated personal injury law firm with a national reputation. The firm has been in business since 1978 and has represented thousands of clients. Based in Newport Beach and with offices across California, Bisnar Chase has recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts, emphasizing superior client representation above all.
