Newport Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Newport Beach Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Newport Beach is a very busy part of Southern California, and countless pedestrians navigate the area daily. While most pedestrians can reach their destinations without any problems, others are not so fortunate and experience devastating accidents because of the actions of negligent drivers. When a driver hits a pedestrian, the pedestrian is likely to suffer extreme injuries, some of which can result in permanent damage.
Representing Injured Pedestrians in Newport Beach, CA
It can be difficult to determine the best first steps after an accident, especially when you know another party is directly responsible for causing it. The right attorney can be an invaluable lifeline in this situation, helping you make sense of your options for legal recourse and guiding you through the civil claim process.
The team at Easton & Easton has years of professional experience representing Newport Beach area clients in a wide range of civil claims, including those that pertain to negligent drivers hitting pedestrians. These cases often include substantial damages and raise questions of liability. It’s natural for a driver accused of hitting a pedestrian to claim the pedestrian somehow caused the accident, and an injured pedestrian can face partial liability for an accident. Regardless of the unique details of your pedestrian accident claim, you will be much better prepared to face your proceedings when you have an experienced Newport Beach pedestrian accident attorney.
Benefits of Legal Representation for a Newport Beach Pedestrian Accident Claim
Technically, a plaintiff with injuries can file a civil claim against a defendant without an attorney. There is no official requirement to hire legal counsel for a Newport Beach personal injury claim in California. However, meeting the procedural demands of your case while managing your recovery from serious injuries will be extremely difficult on your own. You are far more likely to reach a suitable result when you have an experienced Newport Beach pedestrian accident attorney representing you.
While you recover from your injuries and manage your personal affairs, your team will be assessing your legal options for recovery. California’s fault-based auto insurance system means you may be able to file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver for some immediate compensation for your damages, but their insurance is unlikely to be able to fully compensate your losses if you sustained any level of serious injury.
Your Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Will Guide You Through the Process
If applicable to your case, your Newport Beach pedestrian accident lawyer can guide you through the insurance claim process and then assist you in building your personal injury claim. They can help you determine what evidence you need to ensure the defendant’s liability for your damages is proven beyond any doubt. Once you have proven fault for your pedestrian accident, your attorney can potentially uncover channels of compensation you didn’t know were available to you, enhancing your final recovery. Ultimately, you are most likely to succeed with any personal injury claim and maximize your case award when you have legal representation you can trust from an experienced attorney.
Determining Liability and Comparative Fault for Pedestrian Accidents in California
To succeed with an auto insurance claim and a personal injury claim against an at-fault driver in a California pedestrian accident suit, the plaintiff must prove the defendant directly caused their damages. This is because drivers have a duty of care to always yield the right of way to pedestrians, even when pedestrians do not acknowledge crosswalk signals and other traffic signals and walk into oncoming traffic. In addition, California enforces a pure comparative fault rule, so a pedestrian can face a diminished recovery from a personal injury suit if they bear partial liability for causing their accident.
Jaywalking Is Comparative Negligence
The most commonly cited comparative negligence in pedestrian accident claims is jaywalking, a minor offense applicable to pedestrians who cross streets illegally outside of crosswalks. A driver may assert that the victim in a pedestrian accident claim was jaywalking, moving in front of their vehicle, leaving the driver very little to no time to react. If an investigation reveals that the plaintiff is partially responsible for causing their pedestrian accident, California’s pure comparative negligence statute will likely influence the case’s outcome.
Damages and Compensation in a Pedestrian Accident Injuries Case
Whenever a motor vehicle driver hits a pedestrian, even at low speed, the pedestrian will likely suffer severe injuries. California law allows the victim of another party’s negligence or misconduct to seek compensation for all resulting economic damages. Therefore, if you have grounds to file a pedestrian accident suit in Newport Beach, you can potentially recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including those incurred immediately following your pedestrian accident and projected long-term treatment costs your injuries will require. Many injured pedestrians require lifesaving emergency care and may spend weeks or months in intensive treatment to recover from severe injuries. Your Newport Beach pedestrian accident lawyer can help you gather any documentation you will need to prove the full scope of the medical expenses you face after a serious injury.
- Lost income. Your accident can prevent you from working until you recover from your injuries. If the accident caused permanent damage, you could be left unable to work at all in the future. The defendant is responsible for lost wages and earning capacity after a pedestrian accident they caused. Some plaintiffs would be able to seek compensation for the future income they could have earned until retirement if the defendants named in their cases did not cause their injuries.
- Property damage. If the plaintiff also sustained property losses from their accident, the defendant is liable for these damages as well.
When an injured pedestrian has suffered extreme injuries, the total amount of economic damages they can seek in their personal injury claim could be substantial. In addition, any severe injury can potentially interfere with their lives in many ways, from preventing them from handling basic everyday tasks to causing persistent medical complications that diminish their quality of life.
Beyond economic damages, California law also enables personal injury plaintiffs to seek pain and suffering compensation. There is no limit to the amount a plaintiff can seek in pain and suffering compensation. However, the amount they include in their claim should reasonably reflect the severity of their condition. Your Newport Beach pedestrian accident lawyer can assist you in determining a fair total value of your claim, exploring every channel of recovery available to you to enhance your overall recovery.
When a plaintiff is likely to recover from their injuries, their attorney may aim for a pain and suffering settlement that establishes an ongoing payment plan until the plaintiff fully recovers. Alternatively, their attorney is more likely to seek a large lump sum on their behalf if they sustained any measure of permanent harm. It is possible for pain and suffering to account for the majority of an injured pedestrian’s final case award from a successful civil claim.
Pedestrian Accident Case FAQs
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Pedestrian Accident in California?
A: Your civil claim can be worth much more than you initially expected, and an experienced attorney can assist you in unlocking the full potential of your claim. A good attorney seeks maximum settlement for their client, and the exact value of your case hinges on how serious your injuries are and whether they resulted in long-term or permanent damage of any kind.
Q: Can a Driver File a Claim Against a Pedestrian?
A: Whenever a motor vehicle driver hits a pedestrian, the driver is bound to face some level of liability for the accident. However, it is possible for the injured pedestrian to bear a significant amount of fault for the incident depending on their actions immediately preceding the crash. Therefore, it’s possible but very rare and unlikely for a motor vehicle driver to have grounds for civil action against a pedestrian.
Q: What Are the Most Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
A: Any vehicle, even a small car, can inflict traumatic injuries on a pedestrian. These accidents often result in bone fractures, internal organ injury, traumatic brain damage, spinal injuries, and more. In addition, many victims sustain multiple injuries, leading to expensive medical treatment and ongoing complications that interfere with their lives.
Q: How Much Can a Newport Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Influence My Case?
A: The right attorney can make it much easier for you to confidently approach complex civil court proceedings. Your attorney’s representation will dramatically increase your chances of successfully holding the defendant accountable for your damages. Even when accounting for the cost of hiring legal counsel, your attorney will likely add tremendous value to your case in several ways.
The sooner you speak with an experienced Newport Beach pedestrian accident attorney, the sooner they can begin working on your case and helping you reach a suitable conclusion. If you are struggling in the aftermath of a pedestrian accident that someone else caused, contact the attorneys at Easton & Easton; schedule your free consultation with our team and learn more about the legal services we offer in Newport Beach, CA.
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The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018.
Doug and Brian Easton have been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California each year since 2014 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Brian and Matt Easton were recently honored for their efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client in 2016, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California by TopVerdict.com.
Doug and Brian have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Matt Easton has been selected among Super Lawyers' Up-and-Coming Top 25 in Orange County and Top 100 in Southern Califonia, an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys under 40 years old.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen as one of the "10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms” in all of Southern California" each year Since 2015 based on client satisfaction — one of the highest honors we could ever hope to achieve.
Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been featured as Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for California since 2015 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Brian and Matt Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in AmericaTM through the results achieved for their clients. This is an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States.
Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been chosen as one of the "10 Best" Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California each year since 2015 based on client satisfaction, an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys - and Easton & Easton houses three of them.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.
Matt Easton has been selected each year since 2014 as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.
Matt Easton has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under 40 in California for 2015 by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys — an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys under the age of 40.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel among the Nation's Top One Percent of Attorneys each year since 2017.
“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
What Our Clients Say
Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…
The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…
I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…
Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…
What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…
I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!
-Allee
Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.
I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!
They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.
Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.
They are the BEST!
I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.
I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way
The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!