Common Causes of Pedestrian Fatalities in Oceanside

California has one of the highest rates of pedestrian injuries and deaths in the country, and a majority of these collisions involve negligent motorists. Whether you are walking in Oceanside or elsewhere in Southern California, it is critical to be aware of the risks and to know about steps you can take in the event of a serious or deadly crash involving a car or truck. Given that pedestrians have no significant protection when they are struck by an automobile, these collisions can frequently be deadly, resulting in fatal injuries. Deadly pedestrian accidents are devastating to surviving family members and friends, and it is important to take steps to hold the at-fault driver accountable.

Our experienced Oceanside pedestrian accident attorneys can provide you with information about some of the most common causes of pedestrian fatalities, and we are here to assist you with all aspects of a wrongful death claim arising out of a deadly pedestrian accident.

How Pedestrian Accidents Happen in California

What are some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents and fatalities in Southern California? According to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety, most of the common causes involve driver negligence. The following are the most frequent reasons that pedestrian collisions involving motor vehicles happen:

• Distracted driving;
• Speeding;
• Intoxicated driving;
• Failing to stop at a marked crosswalk;
• Red-light running; and
• Failing to stop for a bus with passengers getting on board or getting off the bus.

Wrongful Death Claims After Pedestrian Fatalities

When a deadly pedestrian accident occurs, it is critical for surviving family members to understand how wrongful death claims work in California. Although it may be extremely difficult to think about a lawsuit at this time, you should know that wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to obtain the financial assistance they need at this devastating time, in addition to allowing them to hold the wrongdoer civilly accountable. A wrongful death lawsuit allows another party to step into the shoes, metaphorically, of the deceased since the deceased is no longer alive to file a personal injury claim.

Under California’s wrongful death statute, multiple parties could be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit, including a surviving spouse or domestic partner, surviving children, parties who would have inherited from the deceased, and parties who were financially dependent on the deceased. Multiple survivors also can be entitled to damages. In order to guarantee your ability to recover damages, it is critical to file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years from the date of death. 

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Oceanside

If someone you love suffered fatal injuries in a pedestrian accident in or around Oceanside, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible. As we discussed above, certain surviving family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim, but it is essential to file the lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out. An experienced Oceanside pedestrian accident lawyer can speak with you today about your case. Contact the Walton Law Firm to learn more about how we can assist you. 

See Related Blog Posts:

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Are Personal Injury Lawsuits the Same as Wrongful Death Lawsuits in San Clemente?