Do you need to know what happens if you hit a pedestrian with your car in Los Angeles, CA? You can use this article to go over the possible consequences of hitting a pedestrian with a motor vehicle. Consider:
- What to do immediately after striking the pedestrian
- Possible criminal charges for hitting a pedestrian
- Your legal options to handle accusations that you hit a pedestrian
Work with the Simmrin Law Group to defend yourself if you are accused of striking a pedestrian with your vehicle. Contact our traffic violations lawyers in Los Angeles by calling. We’re ready to help you right now.
The Police May Be Called If You Hit a Pedestrian in Los Angeles
Pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles can be very serious. Pedestrians have no defenses if they get struck by a motor vehicle, which means they can be badly hurt. You are legally required to report any motor vehicle collision that results in an injury.
You should not leave the scene if you strike a pedestrian with your car. Wait for the police to arrive. You may also need to call for emergency medical services if the pedestrian is severely hurt. If the pedestrian is conscious, you should exchange contact information with them.
Note that it is recommended that you get legal help as quickly as possible if you hit a pedestrian in Los Angeles. You can start getting help now from the Simmrin Law Group.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
Do Not Admit Fault
You may feel inclined to apologize to a pedestrian if you hit them with your vehicle. However, doing so could be construed as an admission of guilt. Whether you were responsible for the accident or not, it is important not to admit to anything before you have spoken with an attorney.
Simple consoling words could be twisted and used against you. When an accident occurs, even those involved often don’t immediately understand what caused the collision. You may believe that you were responsible when, in fact, it was the actions of the pedestrian that led to the crash.
An admission of guilt can be hard to walk back if you later realize that you were not actually at fault.
You Could Face Criminal Charges for Hitting a Pedestrian in California
You should be aware that you could face criminal charges if you strike a pedestrian with your vehicle. In many cases, you could be charged with reckless driving. Anytime a driver operates a car in a way that shows reckless disregard for the safety of others, reckless driving charges may apply.
A reckless driving lawyer in Los Angeles can work to defend you in this situation. The team at the Simmrin Law Group can take steps to investigate your case. We can work to establish that you were operating your vehicle in a reasonable way. Note that if you are convicted of reckless driving, you could face:
- Fines
- Jail time
- A period of probation
If the pedestrian is killed after they are struck by your vehicle, the penalties you face can increase substantially. Get ready to handle this situation by calling us.
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Contact a Lawyer as Soon as You Can
Your best defense against any of the possible ramifications that may result from hitting a pedestrian with your car is to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner your attorney can get to work, the better suited they will be to build a strong case.
Whether you are facing criminal charges or the potential of a civil lawsuit, your attorney can gather evidence and speak to witnesses as they attempt to help you avoid the worst consequences.
Additionally, you may be interested in filing a lawsuit of your own if the actions of the pedestrian resulted in your accident. Hitting a person with your car can cause damage to your vehicle and even result in injuries to yourself or your passengers. If the pedestrian was at fault, you can seek compensation for your damages.
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Comparative Negligence May Apply if You Hit a Pedestrian in Los Angeles
In many pedestrian accident cases, the pedestrian may try to blame you completely for the accident. However, the pedestrian may share a portion of responsibility for the collision. For example, a lawyer may be able to show that the pedestrian:
- Jaywalked in front of you without looking
- Stepped into the road while distracted by a phone
- Moved behind you in a parking lot without warning
Pedestrians are required to act responsibly in California. If they are partially at fault for an accident, then comparative negligence rules come into play. Comparative negligence can be used to split responsibility for an accident into different percentages.
You may need to offer a smaller amount of compensation to the pedestrian if they are partially responsible for the accident. If they are more than 50% responsible, you may not owe them anything. In fact, if the accident damages your vehicle, they may be required to reimburse you for part of the damage based on their percentage of liability.
Your Insurance Company Could Help If You Hit a Pedestrian with Your Car
Sometimes, pedestrian accidents result in relatively minor injuries. In this situation, you may want to allow your insurance company to handle the pedestrian’s claim. Your insurance will likely go up if you strike a pedestrian with your vehicle.
However, the pedestrian may also sue you in civil court to seek additional compensation. In this case, it’s important that you get professional help from a traffic violations lawyer in Los Angeles. The team at the Simmrin Law Group can work to defend you right now.
We can work to show that the pedestrian was partially responsible for the accident. We can even demonstrate that the pedestrian’s injuries were not directly tied to the collision in some situations. Find out more by contacting us now.
Call a Lawyer If You Hit a Pedestrian with Your Motor Vehicle in California
What happens if you hit a pedestrian with your car in Los Angeles, CA? You could face criminal charges, heavy fines, and other serious repercussions. Get help moving forward in this situation by contacting the Simmrin Law Group to get a free initial case evaluation.
Reach out to our traffic violations lawyers in Los Angeles by calling or filling out our online contact form.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form