California Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Pedestrian accidents are among the most devastating traffic collisions that occur on California roads. Unlike drivers and passengers inside motor vehicles, pedestrians have virtually no protection when they are struck by a car, truck, bus, motorcycle, or other vehicle. Even crashes at relatively low speeds can cause severe injuries, while higher-speed impacts often result in catastrophic or fatal consequences.
Every year, thousands of pedestrians are injured throughout California. Busy urban intersections, residential neighborhoods, parking lots, school zones, commercial districts, and crosswalks all present potential dangers. While pedestrians are often among the most vulnerable road users, many of these accidents are entirely preventable and occur because a driver failed to exercise reasonable care.
At Kalfayan Merjanian, LLP, we represent injured pedestrians and families who have lost loved ones in pedestrian accidents caused by negligent drivers, commercial vehicle operators, rideshare drivers, government entities, and other responsible parties. Our goal is to help victims recover the compensation they need while holding negligent parties accountable for the harm they have caused.
The Growing Problem of Pedestrian Accidents in California
California consistently experiences some of the highest numbers of pedestrian injuries and fatalities in the nation. Increased traffic congestion, larger vehicles, distracted driving, smartphone use, and growing populations have all contributed to rising risks for pedestrians. Many accidents occur in situations where pedestrians should reasonably expect to be safe. Drivers frequently fail to yield at crosswalks, speed through intersections, make unsafe turns, drive while distracted, or simply fail to pay attention to their surroundings. The consequences can be life-changing. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle may suffer multiple fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, permanent disabilities, or fatal injuries.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Although every accident is unique, certain factors appear repeatedly in pedestrian injury cases. Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents. Drivers who are texting, using navigation systems, interacting with infotainment screens, or otherwise taking their attention away from the road may fail to see pedestrians until it is too late. Other common causes include:
- Failure to yield at crosswalks or intersections
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Unsafe left-hand or right-hand turns
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Backing-up accidents in parking lots
- Poor visibility during nighttime driving
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
Many serious pedestrian collisions occur in a matter of seconds, but the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can last a lifetime.
California Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws
California law provides important protections for pedestrians. Drivers are generally required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are lawfully crossing within marked or unmarked crosswalks. However, many drivers misunderstand their obligations. Some assume pedestrians only have rights within painted crosswalks. Others fail to appreciate that California law imposes a continuing duty to exercise due care and avoid colliding with pedestrians whenever possible, including outside of crosswalks. Even when questions arise regarding a pedestrian’s location or actions, drivers remain responsible for operating their vehicles safely and maintaining a proper lookout for people using the roadway. Determining whether a driver violated California’s pedestrian safety laws is often a critical issue in injury and wrongful death cases.
Leading Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle
Pedestrian accidents occur in many different environments and under a wide range of circumstances. Our firm handles a wide range of pedestrian accident cases, including:
- Crosswalk accidents
- Intersection collisions
- School zone accidents
- Parking lot accidents
- Hit-and-run pedestrian crashes
- Drunk driving pedestrian accidents
- Distracted driving collisions
- Bus and commercial vehicle accidents
- Delivery vehicle accidents
- Rideshare pedestrian accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers
- Bicycle and pedestrian conflicts
- Fatal pedestrian accidents and wrongful death claims
Some cases involve a single negligent driver. Others require investigation into employers, vehicle owners, commercial carriers, government agencies, or multiple defendants.
Serious Injuries Commonly Suffered by Pedestrians
The human body is not designed to withstand the forces generated by a vehicle collision. As a result, pedestrian accidents often cause severe trauma. Injuries frequently include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, pelvic fractures, internal bleeding, organ damage, crush injuries, severe lacerations, and permanent disfigurement. Many victims require emergency surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and long-term medical care. Some never fully recover and face permanent disabilities that affect every aspect of their lives. For families, the financial impact of these injuries can be overwhelming.
Fatal Pedestrian Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
Sadly, many pedestrian accidents result in fatalities. High-speed impacts are particularly deadly, but even collisions occurring at moderate speeds can result in fatal injuries. Families are often left coping with sudden grief while facing funeral expenses, loss of income, and uncertainty about the future. California law allows certain surviving family members to pursue wrongful death claims when a pedestrian is killed due to another person’s negligence. These claims may seek compensation for financial support the deceased would have provided, funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of companionship, care, guidance, affection, and support. While no legal action can undo a tragedy, wrongful death claims can help families obtain accountability and financial stability after a devastating loss.
Government Liability in Pedestrian Accident Cases
Not every pedestrian accident is caused solely by driver error. Dangerous roadway conditions sometimes contribute to serious or fatal pedestrian crashes. Poorly designed intersections, malfunctioning traffic signals, inadequate street lighting, obstructed sight lines, unsafe crosswalk designs, and missing warning signs can all increase risks for pedestrians. When a public entity contributes to an accident, special procedural rules often apply. Claims against government agencies generally involve strict notice requirements and shorter deadlines than ordinary personal injury cases. Prompt investigation is essential whenever government liability may be involved.
Evidence That Can Strengthen a Pedestrian Accident Claim
Successful pedestrian accident cases often depend on preserving evidence before it disappears. Important evidence may include surveillance footage, traffic camera recordings, eyewitness testimony, vehicle data, cell phone records, police reports, accident scene photographs, and medical records. In serious injury and wrongful death cases, accident reconstruction experts may be used to analyze vehicle speeds, impact points, driver reaction times, and other factors that help establish liability. The sooner an investigation begins, the greater the opportunity to preserve critical evidence.
Compensation Available After a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian accident victims often face substantial losses that extend far beyond their immediate medical expenses. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for medical treatment, future healthcare needs, rehabilitation costs, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, and loss of enjoyment of life. In fatal accident cases, surviving family members may also be entitled to pursue damages through a wrongful death claim. The amount recoverable depends upon the specific facts of each case, including the severity of the injuries and the long-term impact on the victim and family.
Why Pedestrian Accident Cases Require Experienced Legal Representation
Insurance companies frequently attempt to minimize payouts by disputing liability or shifting blame onto pedestrians. They may argue that the pedestrian crossed outside a crosswalk, failed to pay attention, or contributed to the accident in some other way. These arguments often ignore the broader circumstances surrounding the collision and the driver’s responsibility to operate their vehicle safely. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can conduct a thorough investigation, preserve evidence, work with experts when necessary, and pursue the full compensation available under California law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a pedestrian accident in California?
Seek medical attention immediately, report the accident to law enforcement, document the scene if possible, and avoid discussing the accident with insurance companies before speaking with an attorney.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in California?
In most cases, California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. Different deadlines, including a short notice period, may apply if a government entity is involved.
Can I recover compensation if the driver claims I was partially at fault?
Yes. California follows a comparative negligence system. Even if a pedestrian is alleged to share some responsibility, compensation may still be available depending on the circumstances.
What damages can be recovered after a pedestrian accident?
Depending on the facts of the case, damages may include medical expenses, lost income, future medical care, pain and suffering, disability-related losses, and other economic and non-economic damages.
Can families sue after a fatal pedestrian accident?
Yes. Certain surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for financial losses, funeral expenses, and the loss of companionship, care, guidance, and support.
Contact Kalfayan Merjanian, LLP
Pedestrian accident victims often face some of the most serious injuries seen in personal injury litigation. When a negligent driver, commercial vehicle operator, rideshare driver, government entity, or other responsible party causes harm, victims deserve strong legal representation and a thorough investigation of their claim. At Kalfayan Merjanian, LLP, we help injured pedestrians and grieving families pursue accountability and compensation after serious and fatal accidents throughout California. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact Kalfayan Merjanian, LLP today to discuss your case and learn how we can help protect your rights.