In the bustling city of Sacramento, pedestrian safety is often jeopardized by dangerous motor vehicle drivers. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 592 pedestrians were injured and killed in Sacramento County in 2022 alone.
Pedestrian-vehicle collisions can occur anywhere in the city, but busy downtown intersections, the midtown region and major thoroughfares are the most high-risk areas in Sacramento. Despite efforts to improve pedestrian safety in California’s capital city, obstacles stand in the way.
If you get injured in this type of accident, it is important to trust your case with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Sacramento. Jacoby & Meyers has years of experience and has collected billions of dollars on behalf of injured Californians.
Get Your FREE Pedestrian Accident Case Evaluation: Fill out our online form or call now 916-269-8918
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Sacramento
Accidents where a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian can be catastrophic, meaning they can inflict a severe level of harm and affect a victim for months, years or life. For this reason, motor vehicle drivers have a responsibility to prevent accidents by operating their vehicles with care and according to applicable traffic laws.
Unfortunately, not all drivers take this responsibility seriously. Preventable driver errors are often behind pedestrian accidents in Sacramento. Examples include:
- Distracted driving (texting or cell phone use)
- Failing to yield at crosswalks and intersections
- Speeding in residential and downtown areas
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Failing to look before reversing
- Drunk or impaired driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Making turns without checking for pedestrians
Certain issues unique to Sacramento can increase the risk of pedestrian accidents, such as right-of-way confusion in Sacramento’s grid system and poor visibility conditions due to weather (rain, fog, etc.). Every driver has a responsibility to do what they can to protect pedestrians and prevent motor vehicle accidents.
Sacramento’s Most Dangerous Areas for Pedestrians
Sacramento has made many efforts to improve pedestrian safety, including its Vision Zero initiative, infrastructure improvements, crosswalk enhancements and the Pedestrian Master Plan. Yet pedestrians in the city are still at risk of getting hit by vehicles.
Certain areas of the city are notoriously more dangerous for those on foot, such as:
- Midtown and downtown Sacramento intersections
- Arden Way and other major commercial corridors
- Stockton Boulevard and high-traffic roadways
- University areas (Sacramento State, UC Davis Medical Center)
- Light rail crossing points
- Tourist areas near Old Sacramento and Golden 1 Center
- School zones throughout the city
- High-density residential neighborhoods
If you get hit by a car while walking anywhere in Sacramento, get immediate medical attention. Call 911 to report the accident to local law enforcement. If possible, document the accident scene by taking photos and gathering witness information. Avoid discussing fault with other parties. Contact a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer promptly to discuss your next steps.
Serious Injuries Common in Sacramento Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians cannot withstand the impact forces of being hit by motor vehicles. For this reason, they are known as Sacramento’s most vulnerable road users. Sadly, this means many suffer life-changing and life-threatening traumatic injuries.
At Jacoby & Meyers, our Sacramento personal injury lawyers can help if you or a loved one suffered any type of injury in a pedestrian collision, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Multiple fractures and broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Crush injuries from being pulled beneath the vehicle
- Severe road rash and soft-tissue injuries
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder
- Fatal injuries and wrongful death cases
The medical bills alone in the aftermath of a pedestrian collision can have an enormous impact on a victim and his or her family. It is important to seek help from an attorney with experience handling your type of injury claim to achieve the case results that you deserve for a serious injury.
Determining Liability in Sacramento Pedestrian Accidents
Deciding who is liable, or legally and financially responsible, for your pedestrian collision in Sacramento takes understanding the state’s fault law and knowing how to prove negligence. Since California is a fault-based state, the injured pedestrian has the right to file an injury claim against the at-fault driver. However, it becomes the pedestrian’s responsibility to prove liability.
One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Sacramento is a driver violating the laws that are in place to protect people on foot. This includes pedestrian right-of-way laws, crosswalk rights, school zones rules and residential area speed limits. Evidence of a broken traffic law can be used as proof of liability against a motor vehicle driver.
Another party that may be held liable for your pedestrian accident is the city for failing to ensure safe roadway designs for pedestrians or for public transportation involvement (buses, light rail, etc.). Businesses, including Uber and Lyft, could also be held liable if an on-duty driver caused the accident.
Why You Need a Specialized Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Hiring an attorney from the beginning of your case can allow you to focus on healing while your lawyer does the rest. The legal process behind a pedestrian accident claim in Sacramento typically involves a thorough investigation of the accident scene, the collection of evidence and testimony from experts, medical documentation of the injuries suffered, and negotiations with insurance companies.
You need an attorney who has the knowledge and experience to expertly handle your claim. This includes knowledge of Sacramento’s unique street layout and pedestrian hazards, experience negotiating with insurance companies, and relationships with medical experts and life-care planners. When necessary, your lawyer should be able to take your pedestrian accident case to trial in the Sacramento County courts for optimal results.
Contact Jacoby & Meyers for a Free Pedestrian Accident Case Consultation in Sacramento
The right attorney can make a world of difference to your pedestrian accident case in Sacramento. Jacoby & Meyers has over 50 years of experience and more than $2 billion in settlements in our history – the highest of any law firm in California. We have earned the trust of tens of thousands of clients by providing exceptional legal representation.
Don’t wait – contact us right away to discuss a recent pedestrian accident in Sacramento. You have a limited amount of time to file your claim under California law. When you hire our attorneys, you won’t pay unless we win your case. Call (916) 269-8918 now to book your appointment for a free consultation.