If you were hit by a motor vehicle in Santa Ana, you’re likely dealing with debilitating injuries that cost a small fortune to treat and leave you too hurt to go about your life as usual. The person who hit you may owe you money, but getting the full amount you deserve could prove challenging, as insurance companies do everything they can to deny claims and minimize payouts. Fortunately, you don’t have to go up against them alone, because DJA Injury Lawyers is here to help.
We’re dedicated to putting money back in the pockets of Santa Ana residents who’ve found themselves in positions like yours. Let us pursue your personal injury claim on your behalf, seeking the compensation you need for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering—and at no upfront cost to you. Just give us a call at (949) 229-7228 or fill out our online contact form, and a Santa Ana pedestrian accident lawyer will sit down with you during a free consultation about your case.
How We Help Pedestrian Accident Victims in Santa Ana
While any motor vehicle accident can be devastating, those involving pedestrians are especially so. Pedestrians have little to protect them from the force a multi-ton vehicle imparts in a collision, making them prone to devastating injuries like the following:
- Broken bones/fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Amputation
The financial and personal costs of such serious injuries can be considerable, which is why the state of California requires all motorists to carry insurance to cover the injuries and property damage they cause others. Most people meet these requirements by carrying liability insurance with the following minimum limits:
- $30,000 per person for bodily injury
- $60,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $15,000 per accident for property damage
So, if you were hit by a careless or reckless driver, that driver’s auto insurance should pay for the injuries you suffered as a result. However, getting the full amount you’re owed could prove difficult, as insurance companies are for-profit businesses that don’t want to spend those profits paying out claims. As such, the insurance company might try to deny your claim on a technicality, pressure you to accept a settlement that doesn’t cover the full extent of your injuries, or argue that you were to blame for what happened.
That’s where the Santa Ana pedestrian accident attorneys of DJA Injury Lawyers step in to help. While you work on getting better, we’ll work:
- Investigating the accident to gather evidence proving the driver’s fault
- Working with experts as necessary to calculate the fair value of your claim
- Filing insurance claims on your behalf and negotiating with adjusters for the settlement you deserve
- Preparing your case for trial and arguing it in court if the insurer won’t make you a fair offer
We know money’s tight in the aftermath of a serious accident, which is why we’ll do this work at no upfront cost to you. You’ll only pay us if and when we win your case. You have enough on your mind without having to worry about the cost of asserting your rights and demanding justice, too.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics for Santa Ana
Pedestrian accidents happen all too frequently—and they’re happening more and more often, too. According to California’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), statewide pedestrian fatalities increased from 1,013 in 2020 to 1,108 in 2021, an increase of 9.4 percent. Pedestrians accounted for more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities that year. That same year, 120 pedestrians were injured or killed in Santa Ana alone, per OTS.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pedestrian Accidents
Have questions about the legal process for pedestrian accidents in Santa Ana? DJA Injury Lawyers has answers. Take a loo below to find some of the ones we’re most frequently asked by prospective clients.
How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
While it’s impossible to say the exact value of your case, you could be owed money for your:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost income and diminished earning potential
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
Our Santa Ana pedestrian accident attorneys can give you a better idea of what to expect when we review your case during a free consultation.
What If I’m Partially to Blame for What Happened?
California follows a pure comparative negligence model, which means that you can still recover compensation at trial even if you are partially to blame for what happened. However, the compensation a court awards you will also be reduced in proportion to the amount of fault it assigns you.
For example, let’s say you stepped out into traffic without looking first and were hit by a car. The driver had ample time to stop but failed to notice you in time. A court decides the driver is 70 percent to blame and you are 30 percent at fault for the accident. If it otherwise would have awarded you $50,000, you would instead recover $35,000—that is, 70 percent of the original amount.
An experienced attorney knows how to argue persuasively on behalf of their clients, minimizing their share of fault in order to increase the amount they recover at trial.
How Long Do I Have to File My Claim?
Unfortunately, you do not have unlimited time to pursue your case. Under most circumstances, California law gives you two years from the date of the pedestrian accident to file a lawsuit against any at-fault parties. Miss this deadline, and the trial court can dismiss your claim as untimely, costing you your right to compensation. Don’t let this happen—reach out to a Santa Ana pedestrian accident attorney right away.
Contact Us for Help with Your Pedestrian Accident Case in Santa Ana
Don’t face the devastating aftermath of a pedestrian accident in Santa Ana alone. Instead, get help from the seasoned professionals at DJA Injury Lawyers. We are standing by to investigate your case, determine who’s to blame, and hold them accountable for their carelessness. Contact us today, online, or by calling (949) 229-7228, and talk to a Santa Ana pedestrian accident lawyer for free.