Norwalk Pedestrian Collisions: Building a Strong Crosswalk/Visibility Case—Especially for Seniors
Pedestrian accidents in Norwalk can leave victims with serious injuries and mental trauma. Busy areas around Norwalk’s shopping centers, train stations, and downtown region see lots of foot traffic, but careless drivers may not see pedestrians or recognize that they are supposed to yield to them.
These cases become complex quickly, especially when drivers try to claim that they could not have seen the pedestrian or anticipated their movements. Injuries are even more serious when we’re talking about senior pedestrians, as they tend to have more severe injuries and recover more slowly. Our California personal injury law firm fights for the best interests of injured pedestrians and explores different angles to pursue compensation. If you’ve been hurt while walking in Norwalk, call the pedestrian accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates at 562-216-2944 now.
Why Seniors Face Greater Risk in Pedestrian Collisions
Aging adults are disproportionately vulnerable in pedestrian collisions, with pedestrians aged 60 to 70 having the highest fatality rates in pedestrian accidents. Because of their age, they are more likely to suffer:
- Hip and pelvic fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Complications from internal bleeding
- Extended rehabilitation needs
Seniors may walk much more slowly than younger adults, which means they spend more time in crosswalks. In some cases, they may even still be in an intersection when the light changes.
The danger is even greater when pedestrians come face-to-face with distracted or generally careless drivers. These drivers may not even see a pedestrian in the crosswalk until it’s too late, at which point an accident is inevitable; the only question is how bad it will be and if a pedestrian accident lawyer can help them.
Other risk factors that often lead to worse outcomes for seniors include age-related mobility concerns, vision limitations, and delayed reaction times.
Common Pedestrian Collision Scenarios in Norwalk
Several recurring crash patterns show up in Norwalk crosswalks, including:
- Turning vehicle collisions: Drivers making left or right turns tend to focus on oncoming traffic. They forget to check for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
- Right turns on red: When someone is approaching a right turn, it’s very common to roll through the intersection and just briefly stop to check for vehicles coming from the other direction. But when drivers do this, they forget to account for pedestrians who may be crossing on a walk signal.
- Multi-lane crashes: Pedestrians may cross after seeing a vehicle stop for them—only for a vehicle in a neighboring lane to continue through the crosswalk, striking and injuring them.
- Low visibility: Drivers are less likely to see pedestrians than other vehicles even in the best conditions; when visibility is limited by parked cars, obstructed sightlines, or poor lighting, outmodes are even worse.
Duty of Drivers Toward Pedestrians in California
Drivers have a legal duty of care to exercise caution and yield right-of-way to pedestrians. This obligation exists not just in marked crosswalks but unmarked crosswalks and turns, as well. Even when a pedestrian crosses outside of a crosswalk, drivers must stop and avoid hitting them if possible. When a driver fails to uphold their obligations, a pedestrian accident attorney may help accident victims pursue compensation.
Building a Strong Crosswalk Accident Case
In crosswalk and visibility cases, evidence matters. Your pedestrian accident lawyer may rely on a large body of evidence to prove the other party’s liability. Important forms of evidence include:
- Signal timing: Analyzing signal timing can allow your attorney to figure out what the signals said at the time of the accident. While crossing on a “don’t walk” sign doesn’t give drivers free rein to hit you, proving that you crossed on a “walk” signal can strengthen your case.
- Sightline analysis: Experts may look at a number of factors to determine whether or not the driver had a clear and unobstructed view of where the pedestrian was at the time of the incident. If they should have had a clear view, that may work against them.
- Surveillance footage: Video footage can provide indisputable evidence regarding who had right-of-way and whether or not a driver attempted to evade the accident.
Your attorney may also preemptively plan for arguments against senior victims. When insurers claim that senior victims entered the roadway suddenly, walked too slowly, or did not make eye contact with the driver, they are trying to shift blame to the victim. An experienced lawyer can plan ahead for this and protect their client.
Call Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Norwalk Today
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, it’s time to explore your legal options. Call our pedestrian injury law firm at 562-216-2944 or contact us online to schedule a consultation right away.
Attorney Robin D. Perry has been part of the Long Beach Community for over 25 years handling business litigation, employment litigation and advising, criminal defense, personal injury and code enforcement defense for businesses.
