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California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving a pedestrian, it’s time to seek help.

California pedestrian accident lawyer

A Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the consequences are almost always serious, and often life-changing. Pedestrians have no airbags, no seatbelts, no crumple zones. If you or a loved one has been hit by a negligent driver anywhere in California, you need a California pedestrian accident attorney who will fight for every dollar you deserve.

The Advocates Injury Attorneys are ready to help. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win. Contact The Advocates Injury Attorneys at 1-888-565-5277 today for a free consultation with an experienced California pedestrian accident lawyer.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in California

Failure to Yield

Drivers are required to yield at marked and unmarked crosswalks

Distracted Driving

Texting, GPS, infotainment, & eating can all contribute to distracted driving

Speeding

Pedestrian fatality risk increases dramatically above 30 mph

Impaired Driving

Keep track of any and all treatment you receive during recovery

Left-Turn Collisions

Once you’ve completed treatment, your case can move forward

Failure to Stop

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, especially when injuries are serious. Insurance companies routinely lowball pedestrian victims, often arguing the pedestrian was partially at fault to reduce the payout. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in California levels the playing field: they gather time-sensitive evidence, calculate your true long-term damages, handle all insurer communications, and pursue every available source of compensation. Best of all, you pay nothing unless your attorney wins your case.

California has one of the highest hit-and-run rates in the country. Even if the driver is never identified, your own auto insurance policy’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage often applies, even when you were on foot. Our attorneys can pursue UM claims and work with law enforcement to identify the driver.

Possibly, yes. California’s pure comparative negligence rule means even a pedestrian found partially at fault can recover damages. Note that in 2023, California’s Freedom to Walk Act (AB 2147) decriminalized safe jaywalking. Pedestrians can no longer be ticketed for crossing outside a crosswalk if no immediate hazard exists.

Two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If a government entity is involved (a city bus, a state-maintained road, a poorly designed intersection), you must file an administrative claim within six months.

You can still pursue a claim. Property owners may share liability for poor lighting, missing signage, or dangerous design. The driver’s auto liability coverage typically applies to private property too.

Nothing out-of-pocket. Your initial consultation is 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees, and you owe us nothing unless we recover for you.

Why Choose The Advocates Injury Attorneys

As a California pedestrian accident law firm with a proven track record, we understand both the medical complexity of pedestrian injuries and the legal strategies that maximize recovery. When you’ve been struck while walking, you need a California pedestrian accident attorney with the experience and resources to go the distance.

Proven Track Record of Results

We’ve recovered over $500 million for injury victims, including pedestrians struck in crosswalks, parking lots, and intersections across the United States.

No Upfront Costs

Contingency fee representation means you pay nothing unless we win. We advance all case costs — accident reconstruction, expert witnesses, medical records — so you can focus on recovery.

Comprehensive Investigation

Pedestrian cases often hinge on evidence that disappears quickly: surveillance footage, dashcam video, witness memories, vehicle data. We move immediately to preserve it.

Multilingual Support

Our team includes Spanish-speaking staff who can communicate with you and your family throughout the case.

Aggressive Negotiation and Trial Readiness

Insurance companies know which firms settle cheap and which firms try cases. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in California are known for the latter — and insurers negotiate accordingly.

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California Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Man in black outfit walks across crosswalk while car makes a right turn. Motion blur

California consistently ranks among the most dangerous states in the country for pedestrians. Statewide, more than 1,000 pedestrians are killed each year, and tens of thousands more are injured. Pedestrians account for roughly one-quarter of all California traffic fatalities — disproportionately high relative to their share of road users.

High-risk locations include urban arterials in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Oakland, Sacramento, and Long Beach, where wide multi-lane roads encourage high vehicle speeds through pedestrian-dense neighborhoods. The California Office of Traffic Safety publishes annual rankings of cities with the highest pedestrian collision rates — your case may benefit from this data depending on where the accident occurred.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Pedestrians typically absorb the full force of impact. Common injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Broken bones — particularly in the legs, pelvis, and ribs
  • Internal organ damage
  • Lacerations, road rash, and degloving injuries
  • Scarring and permanent disfigurement
  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Long-term post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

These injuries often require months or years of treatment and may permanently affect your ability to work, drive, or perform daily activities.

Close-up Of Woman Typing Text Message On Mobile Phone

Who Is Liable in a California Pedestrian Accident?

Liability isn’t always limited to the driver. Possible defendants include:

  • The driver — for negligence, distraction, impairment, or speeding
  • The driver’s employer — if the driver was on the job (commercial vehicle, rideshare, delivery)
  • A rideshare company (Uber, Lyft) — when their driver hits a pedestrian during an active ride or while logged into the app
  • A vehicle owner — under California’s negligent entrustment doctrine
  • A government entity — for dangerous road design, missing crosswalks, malfunctioning signals, or inadequate signage
  • A property owner — if the accident occurred on poorly maintained or dangerously designed private property
  • A vehicle manufacturer — if a defect (failed brakes, defective backup camera) contributed

What Damages Can I Seek?

senior man walking along city crosswalk

California allows pedestrian accident victims to recover:

Economic Damages

  • Emergency, hospital, and ongoing medical costs
  • Future medical care, including surgeries, rehab, and assistive devices
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
  • Replacement services
  • Out-of-pocket costs

Non-Economic Damages

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, PTSD
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Loss of consortium for spouses
Woman walks a on the shoulder of a country road
Business people discussion

Additional Damages

  • Wrongful death damages when a pedestrian is killed, including funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of love, companionship, and guidance
  • Punitive damages in cases involving extreme conduct — drunk driving, intentional acts, or fleeing the scene

Contact Our California Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today

Whether you were hit while crossing the street in downtown San Diego, struck in a Bay Area crosswalk, or injured in a parking lot in Riverside, The Advocates Injury Attorneys are ready to serve as your California pedestrian accident attorney from the first consultation to the final resolution of your case.

Call 1-888-565-5277 today for your free, no-obligation consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.

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