San Jose Drunk Driving Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Drunk Driving Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians have little defense when going up against the force and momentum of a moving vehicle. Not only are pedestrians more difficult for motorists to see and avoid while on the road, but they are extremely vulnerable to serious personal injury, up-to and including wrongful death. When drunk driving is factored into the equation, motorists are placed in harm's way even more so than they would be in an accident involving a sober driver, particularly since the reaction time of a drunk driver is considerably slowed.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission (NHTSA), the state of California is home to more pedestrian deaths each year than any other state across the country. Specifically, the NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System shows that there were a total of 7,056 fatal pedestrian accidents in California over an eight year period from 1997 to 2005. While less than 20% of motorists involved in those fatal pedestrian accidents were deemed to have been under the influence of alcohol, the number of drunken driving pedestrian incidents is still far too high. According to statistics, drunk driving still reportedly killed more pedestrians on average than speeding did during the previously mentioned period of time.
In almost half of all fatal pedestrian accidents, alcohol is in some way involved, either having been consumed by the motorist or pedestrian. While pedestrian intoxication is actually more common than motorist intoxication, a great number of motorists choose to operate their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol each year. Because of this poor decision making, families and friends lose loved ones and lives are forever altered.
If you've been injured in a drunken driving pedestrian accident in Northern California, you are entitled to hold the negligent driver responsible for the accident accountable for their actions. Dangerous driving practices, such as operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, are deemed as reckless and are punishable in a California court of law. Furthermore, those deemed responsible for having caused an accident may be required to pay compensatory damages to the party or parties affected by the incident, including the family of a wrongful death victim.
At Van Der Walde & Associates, our experienced San Jose pedestrian accident attorneys will examine every detail surrounding you or your loved one's injury or wrongful death. In a drunk driving accident, we will take into account the field sobriety tests administered by arresting officers at the time of the incident, as well as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) testing results, to help show that the motorist accused of causing the drunk driving accident did so while under the influence of alcohol or some other substance. We will then seek compensatory damages on your behalf, or the behalf of your lost loved one, constantly protecting the rights of the accident victim during court proceedings. For more information about drunken driving pedestrian accidents, or for a free first consultation, please call a San Jose pedestrian accident attorney today at (877) 862-6288.
