Have you or a loved one been struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian in Gonzales, Louisiana? At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we are ready to help you demand compensation and justice for your physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardships as a result of the accident. Our experienced team of Gonzales personal injury lawyers is here to help you navigate the legal road ahead, so you can be confident that you are given a fair chance to get the compensation you need to recover.
Why should you pick Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys?
- We have secured more than $10 billion in verdicts and settlements for injured clients*.
- We have successfully represented more than 1,000 clients.
- We have 15 years of experience handling complex and catastrophic injury claims.
- We founded our firm on strong Christian values like being a voice for the most vulnerable.
Feel confident about your pedestrian accident case. Start by calling our firm at (225) 999-1111.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Reckless drivers are one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents in many cities—and Gonzales, Louisiana is no exception. On busy streets and highways, drivers must always be aware of nearby pedestrians and do what they can to keep those people out of danger.
Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Speeding: Drivers who exceed the speed limit have less time to react to pedestrians and are less likely to stop in time to avoid hitting them.
- Distracted driving: Using a cell phone, eating, or engaging in other distractions can cause a driver to take their eyes off the road and fail to notice pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Failure to yield: Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians at designated crosswalks or intersections can cause serious accidents.
- Driving under the influence: Drivers who are impaired by drugs or alcohol are much more likely to cause accidents involving pedestrians.
- Reckless driving: Drivers who engage in reckless behavior, such as running red lights, weaving in and out of traffic, or making illegal U-turns, can endanger the lives of pedestrians.
Reckless drivers are responsible for many pedestrian accidents in Gonzales. Speeding, failure to yield, and distracted driving contribute to crashes involving pedestrians and vehicles. If your case involves a negligent driver, our Gonzales car accident lawyers can help you fight for compensation.
Pedestrian Accidents in Parking Lots
Serious pedestrian accidents tend to occur at crosswalks and crosswalk intersections, as well as in parking lots. Indeed, parking lots can be one of the most dangerous places for pedestrians due to the sheer number of moving vehicles immediately next to walking people.
Some pedestrian accidents occur due to poor parking lot design, inadequate signage, or negligent property maintenance. If hazardous property conditions contributed to your accident, our Gonzales premises liability lawyers can help you explore additional legal options.
Pedestrian accidents can happen in parking lots for many reasons, such as:
- Lack of visibility: Drivers may have difficulty seeing pedestrians, especially children or shorter individuals, in crowded parking lots or when backing out of parking spaces.
- Distractions: Drivers may be distracted while trying to find a parking space, which can cause them to fail to notice pedestrians.
- Reckless driving: Drivers may speed or ignore traffic signs, such as stop signs or yield signs, in parking lots. Parking lot speed limits typically range between 5 to 15 mph.
Pedestrian Responsibilities & Right-of-Way
Pedestrians have the right-of-way in designated crosswalks and intersections, which means that drivers are required to yield to pedestrians. However, pedestrians also have a responsibility to act safely near moving traffic. Your pedestrian accident claim could be complicated if you were not following the right-of-way as a pedestrian or were acting unreasonably unsafe.
To stay safer and use your right-of-way responsibly as a pedestrian, you should:
- Look both ways before crossing the street, even if you have the right of way. Don’t assume that a driver will stop or see you.
- Only cross the street at designated crosswalks or intersections, and always follow traffic signals and signs. Don’t cross the street in the middle of the block or jaywalk.
- Use sidewalks whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the shoulder facing traffic.
- Avoid distractions, such as texting or wearing headphones, while walking near moving traffic.
- Be visible. Wear bright or reflective clothing when walking at night and carry a flashlight if possible.
Pedestrians should always follow traffic rules and remain alert near moving vehicles. The NHTSA offers pedestrian safety guidelines to help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
It is important to remember that drivers must take reasonable actions to avoid a collision with a pedestrian, even when that pedestrian does not have the right-of-way. For example, a driver must try to slow down, stop, or otherwise avoid a jaywalker if doing so would not put others in danger.
Get Help from a Gonzales Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian accident in Gonzales, Louisiana, you may be able to file a civil injury claim to pursue compensation for your injuries and other damages. Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys are committed to helping you pursue justice after a pedestrian accident has disrupted your health and day-to-day life. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Gonzales have the knowledge, experience, and resources to build a strong case on your behalf and fight for a maximized recovery amount.
Don’t wait; contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.