California has arguably the most strict set of laws in the country when it comes to distracted driving. California law not only prohibits any and all use of a handheld phone and texting while driving,but lawmakers took the next step and made such actions primary offenses. These actions place pedestrians and the driving public at greater risk. Unlike pedestrians, drivers have a vehicle to protect them.
Enter the “Phone Zombie”… These folks walk down the road texting or looking at Facebook on their hand held device risk while oblivious to their surroundings or other threats to their safety and the safety of others. Imagine what will happen when a pedestrian who is crossing the street while texting encounters a driver doing the same thing? Who wins and who is at fault? The loser is pretty clear. Here are a few questions that need to be asked…
Are Pedestrians Less Safe? According to a recent article from NPR and statistics from the Governors Highway Safety Association, pedestrian fatalities increased by a whopping 11 percent in 2016. The article notes that distraction on the part of motorists and pedestrians is a primary cause of accidents.
What Is the Impact On California Pedestrians? Increases in pedestrian accidents and fatalities means Californians are more vulnerable than ever when they are biking, skateboarding or walking. It may also mean that the attention drivers once paid while driving may be gone, and despite advances in today’s cars and trucks, technology will never be able to prevent every crash.
What can you do if you are hit by a distracted driver? Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles often suffer catastrophic injuries and some don’t survive the accident. Considering the physical, emotional and financial damage done in these crashes, it’s critical for victims and their families to understand their options to pursue compensation.
Filing a lawsuit will not undo an accident or replace a loved one. A Lawsuit may:
- Hold accountable the parties who failed to use caution and be safe around pedestrians
- Reinforce the message that distracted driving is dangerous
- Result in compensation for the economic and noneconomic damages suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence and recklessness
What Should You Do If You Are Hit By A Distracted Walker? This is becoming more and more of a reality. We have all seen the funny video’s of people not paying attention and walking into a fountain in a mall of walking into a tree branch. Few people have watched the video’s of people walking into traffic while talking on their phones and then suffering the consequences. The physical reality is bad for the distracted walker and bad for the driver. They are both impacted by the results.
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when they refuse to follow the law. We help with serious issues that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth. We have over 80 years of experience in our plaintiff’s only law firm. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com We Can Help!
