San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

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by Hiring Top-Rated San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
San Francisco is an important economic and cultural center in California. The city is the 17th most populous city in the United States and the fourth largest in the state, with a population of 873,965 per the 2020 United States Census report. San Francisco is a cultural and commercial hub in California.
The geographic area of the city is sprawling and makes up dozens of miles of the northern San Francisco Peninsula. With the large area of land that the city covers and the number of people who call the city home, it makes sense that traffic accidents are common across the city.
Pedestrians who are involved in a crash, if they do not lose their lives, may suffer serious injuries like internal organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, dislocations, and fractures. These injuries are serious and expensive to recover from. You need a good pedestrian attorney working on your side and helping you get your life back on track.
Our client was stopped at a two-way stop sign before proceeding into an intersection where he was struck by a police cruiser traveling 70 mph, resulting in serious injuries.
– ARASH KHORSANDI
Pedestrian Laws in California
California is a comparative negligence state. Comparative negligence means that the amount of the plaintiff’s monetary award, if any, is reduced based on the percentage of negligence assigned to you. That means that a jury may find that the driver was negligent and caused the accident, but you did something to contribute to your injuries. For example, the driver may have run a red light, but if you jaywalked, you may be found to have contributed to the accident. If your final judgment is $100,000 and you are 10 percent at fault, your final award will be $90,000.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding San Francisco Pedestrian Accidents
What is the crosswalk law in California?
In 2023, California decriminalized jaywalking. Regardless, pedestrians must cross the street at designated crosswalks. Crossing anywhere else is extremely dangerous, especially on busy roads and streets. No pedestrian should leave the sidewalk and head into the path of a vehicle that does not have the chance to stop. A marked crosswalk has lights and signals to let pedestrians and motorists see where they should cross or watch for pedestrians.
Is it jaywalking if there is no crosswalk?
If there is no crosswalk, then the pedestrian must take responsibility and avoid traffic accidents. Pedestrians must use due care while traveling. Jaywalking happens when a pedestrian crosses the road with no regard for the vehicles approaching them. If a pedestrian is jaywalking, then they may be considered to be partly negligent. Hence, they might receive a reduced compensation if they were jaywalking at the time of the accident.
Do pedestrians have the right of way?
What is an unmarked crosswalk in California?
- Walking while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Jaywalking
- Crossing against the light
- Texting while driving or being otherwise distracted
- At fault for another reason
- In residential neighborhoods
- Parking lots
- Bus stops
- Crossing against the light
- Near school zones
- Downtown
- Any other area where people travel on foot
After a pedestrian accident, you or your loved ones need an experienced attorney who understands your rights to compensation. For traffic accidents in general, you need to contact an attorney with experience in traffic accidents. However, the best next step after a pedestrian accident is to call experienced San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyers.
Pedestrian Accidents in San Francisco and The Bay Area
- In January to June 2021, about 1,120 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic accidents across California.
- Nearly 25% of all pedestrian fatalities involved a hit-and-run accident.
- California has almost 25% more pedestrian fatalities than the national average, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
- Between 2009 and 2018, California saw nearly 7,500 pedestrian deaths.
- Speeding and distracted driving are some of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents.
- Large vehicles, like SUVs, are more likely to become involved in a pedestrian accident.
- The San Francisco government declared a state of emergency when nearly 30 pedestrians were killed in a year’s time.
Some of the Most Dangerous Pedestrian Intersections in San Francisco
Fifth and Market Street has seen serious improvements to address pedestrian safety. However, many pedestrians meet an ill fate as they navigate this intersection.
How Do I Prove Liability in a Pedestrian Accident?
Your San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyers will know exactly which laws apply to your case and how they may impact the outcome of your claim. For example, California has right-of-way laws that apply to traffic accident cases. California pedestrian right-of-laws are designed to protect pedestrians against injury because pedestrians are the most vulnerable group of travelers.
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
- Making phone calls, texting, and other forms of distracted driving
- Speeding or driving too fast for weather conditions
- Failing to obey traffic signs or signals
- Fatigued driving or driving without adequate rest
What Are the Most Common Types of Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents in San Francisco?
- Infections
- Scarring
- Nerve damage
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Torn ligaments
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Lacerations and severe cuts
- Knee and leg injuries
- Fractured or broken bones
What Damages Are Available in a Pedestrian Accident in San Francisco?
Economic Damages
- Current and future medical bills
- Current and future lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- The cost of long-term care and medical, rehabilitative care, or medical equipment
- Cost of repairs if any of your personal property is damaged in the accident
Non-Economic Damages
- The value of lost companionship or loss of consortium with your spouse
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
Call First Responders
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
You need to be evaluated by a medical professional after a traffic accident. When you see a doctor or medical staff, make sure to tell them about what happened and how you received your injuries. Go into detail about your injuries. Tell your medical team of any pain and all symptoms related to your injuries.
Take Good Notes
Start Documenting Your Injuries
- Your medical prognosis
- Physical limitations like the inability to walk, headaches, sleep issues, bleeding, dizziness, or other symptoms related to your accident injury
- Your mobility levels
- Your pain levels
- Issues with performing your job duties
Keep a Journal
Keeping a personal injury journal can be helpful as you recall the facts of your case. You will be asked to tell your story often, so having it written down while it is fresh in your mind is crucial. Write down how your injuries and losses have affected your daily life. Describe your doctor’s visits and how you understand your doctor’s orders. Take note of your emotional state and how the accident has affected your mental health. This data can be helpful to you and to your San Francisco personal injury attorney as your case proceeds.
Talk to a Lawyer
Contact San Francisco pedestrian accident attorneys as soon as possible after a car accident. With the help of a highly skilled San Francisco lawyer, you can help increase your odds of getting the monetary recovery you deserve while minimizing the odds of being taken advantage of by insurance companies and defense attorneys.
Never Give a Recorded Statement to Anyone
Do Not Destroy or Discard Evidence
Settlement in a motor vehicle accident; client suffered internal injuries.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Should I Hire Arash Law’s Pedestrian Accident Attorneys In San Francisco?
Get You Access to Compensation
Take On All the Risks of the Accident
Many accident victims are hesitant to file an accident claim or pursue a lawsuit because they do not believe they can afford legal representation. Fortunately, the attorneys at Arash Law work on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee gives you the option to avoid paying for legal services until after the case settles and you win financial compensation.
Compassionate Representation
Take On All the Risks of the Accident
Contact The Top-Rated Pedestrian Accident Lawyers San Francisco Trusts Today
If you or a loved one has been in a pedestrian accident in San Francisco, call the attorneys at Arash Law to begin building your legal team. The attorneys at Arash Law, under the leadership of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have decades of experience helping injured San Franciscans get full and fair compensation after a pedestrian accident.
We also represent personal injury victims in nearby communities and beyond, including Fremont, San Jose, Los Angeles, Fresno, Berkeley, Sacramento, Santa Rosa, and more. Contact us today at (888) 488-1391 or via online chat to schedule a free no-obligation case evaluation.
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