San Francisco is a vibrant, bustling city known for its iconic streets and busy intersections. However, for pedestrians, the city’s heavy traffic and high-traffic areas like Market Street or near public transit stops can be dangerous. Pedestrian accidents are unfortunately common in San Francisco, often resulting in severe injuries that disrupt victims’ lives physically, emotionally, and financially.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to have a trusted advocate on your side. Shea & Shea, a leading pedestrian accident law firm in San Francisco, has decades of experience helping victims recover compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We understand the unique challenges that pedestrian accident victims face and are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable.
Whether the incident occurred in a crosswalk, near a public transit hub, or on one of San Francisco’s busy streets, our team of dedicated pedestrian accident injury lawyers is here to guide you through every step of the legal process.
Contact Shea & Shea today for a free consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer, and let us help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents in San Francisco occur frequently due to a combination of driver negligence and urban hazards. The city’s heavy traffic and high pedestrian activity make it particularly prone to these incidents. Causes of pedestrian accidents include:
Driver Negligence
The majority of pedestrian accidents stem from driver negligence, which can take many forms, including:
- Distracted Driving: Drivers using mobile phones, adjusting navigation systems, or otherwise distracted may fail to notice pedestrians crossing the street.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to react to pedestrians in crosswalks or other areas, which significantly increases the severity of collisions.
- Failure to Yield: Drivers who disregard right-of-way laws at crosswalks or intersections often cause pedestrian accidents.
- Driving Under the Influence: Impaired drivers are less likely to recognize and react to pedestrians.
San Francisco-Specific Hazards
San Francisco’s unique landscape and urban design also contribute to pedestrian accidents. High-traffic areas such as Market Street, Union Square, and Embarcadero are particularly dangerous due to their heavy vehicle and foot traffic.
Public transit stops near Muni and BART stations see frequent pedestrian activity, creating situations where drivers may fail to notice individuals entering or exiting buses and trains.
Furthermore, the city’s steep hills and narrow streets can create blind spots that make it harder for drivers to spot pedestrians.
Unsafe Road Conditions
While driver behavior is often the primary cause of pedestrian accidents, poor road conditions can also play a role. Factors such as:
- Faded Crosswalk Markings: These make it difficult for drivers to see designated pedestrian areas.
- Defective Traffic Signals: Malfunctioning lights or pedestrian signals can lead to confusion and accidents.
- Inadequate Lighting: Poor visibility, especially at night, increases the likelihood of accidents in poorly lit areas.
Shea & Shea’s Role in Providing Legal Representation for Pedestrian Injuries
At Shea & Shea, our team of experienced pedestrian injury attorneys gathers evidence such as surveillance footage, police reports, and witness statements to determine what led to the incident. Whether it’s a distracted driver or hazardous road conditions, we hold the responsible parties accountable.
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by driver negligence or unsafe road conditions, contact Shea & Shea for legal assistance. Our San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyers are dedicated to helping you secure justice and the compensation you deserve.
Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents often result in severe injuries, given the vulnerability of individuals compared to motor vehicles. Victims may face extensive medical treatment, long recovery periods, and lasting physical and emotional challenges.
Common Injuries
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Pedestrian accidents frequently cause broken bones, particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. These injuries may require surgeries, immobilization, or long-term physical therapy, impacting mobility and quality of life.
- Head and Brain Injuries: One of the most severe consequences of a pedestrian accident is trauma to the head, which can result in concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), or skull fractures. TBIs, in particular, may lead to cognitive impairments and other long-term complications that significantly affect daily life.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The force of impact in a pedestrian accident can damage the spinal cord, resulting in nerve damage, herniated discs, or even paralysis. These injuries often require extensive rehabilitation and may lead to permanent disability.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons is common in pedestrian accidents. These injuries, including sprains, strains, and torn ligaments, can cause significant pain and limit physical activity for months or years.
- Internal Injuries: The force of a collision can lead to internal bleeding or damage to organs, such as the liver, kidneys, or lungs. These injuries are often life-threatening and require immediate medical intervention.
- Emotional Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, victims of pedestrian accidents may experience emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The psychological impact can be just as debilitating as physical injuries, requiring counseling or therapy to heal.
Long-Term Consequences
Many pedestrian accident injuries have long-term or permanent effects, impacting victims’ ability to work, care for their families, and enjoy daily activities. For example:
- Chronic Pain: Conditions such as nerve damage or arthritis stemming from the injury may lead to ongoing pain.
- Reduced Mobility: Broken bones or spinal injuries may limit the ability to walk or perform routine tasks, requiring assistive devices or home modifications.
- Loss of Earning Potential: Severe injuries may prevent victims from returning to their previous jobs or working at all, leading to financial insecurity.
How Shea & Shea Supports Victims
At Shea & Shea, we understand the profound impact that pedestrian accident injuries can have on victims and their families. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in San Francisco are dedicated to helping injured individuals secure the compensation they need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. We work closely with medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries and their long-term effects, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
Our team will fight to recover compensation not only for your immediate medical bills but also for future treatments, rehabilitation, and emotional recovery. Shea & Shea’s pedestrian lawyers don’t just see you as a case—we see you as a person who deserves justice and support during a difficult time.
If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a pedestrian accident, contact Shea & Shea today. Our trusted pedestrian accident attorneys in San Francisco are here to help you manage the legal process and fight for your rights.
Legal Rights of Pedestrians in San Francisco
Pedestrians in California, including those in San Francisco, have legal protections under state law to ensure their safety.
California’s Right-of-Way Laws
California law places heavy emphasis on ensuring pedestrian safety, particularly at crosswalks and intersections. According to California Vehicle Code Sections 21950-21954, drivers are required to:
- Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing within marked or unmarked crosswalks.
- Exercise caution and reduce speed when approaching pedestrians.
- Avoid overtaking vehicles stopped at crosswalks, as this may block a pedestrian from view.
However, pedestrians also have a responsibility to exercise reasonable care for their safety. For example, they should avoid crossing streets outside designated crosswalks or suddenly entering traffic. Contact our attorneys for crosswalk injuries for further information on these types of incidents.
Proving Negligence in Pedestrian Accidents
In most pedestrian accident cases, proving negligence is essential for securing compensation. Negligence occurs when a driver fails to act with reasonable care, violating their duty to ensure the safety of pedestrians. To establish negligence, four key elements must be demonstrated:
- Duty of Care: The driver had a legal obligation to operate their vehicle safely and avoid harming others.
- Breach of Duty: The driver failed to meet this obligation by acting carelessly or recklessly, such as by speeding or texting while driving.
- Causation: The driver’s actions directly caused the pedestrian’s injuries.
- Damages: The pedestrian suffered measurable harm, such as medical bills, lost wages, or emotional distress.
How Shea & Shea Protects Pedestrians’ Rights
Our team of pedestrian accident lawyers in San Francisco is committed to ensuring that victims receive the compensation they deserve. Here’s how we help:
- Thorough Investigations: We gather critical evidence, such as traffic camera footage, police reports, and eyewitness accounts, to establish negligence.
- Expert Collaboration: We work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and economic analysts to strengthen your case.
- Aggressive Representation: Whether negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in court, we fight tirelessly to protect your rights.
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, Shea & Shea is here to provide the legal support you need. Our deep understanding of California’s pedestrian laws and experience with San Francisco-specific cases allows us to build strong claims that hold negligent parties accountable.
Damages Available for Pedestrian Accidents
Victims of pedestrian accidents often face significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. In California, injured pedestrians may be entitled to various forms of compensation to help them recover and rebuild their lives. At Shea & Shea, our San Francisco accident injury lawyers are dedicated to ensuring our clients receive the full compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are intended to compensate victims for financial losses directly related to the accident. These include:
- Medical Expenses: This covers past, present, and future medical costs, including emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any necessary medical equipment like wheelchairs or braces.
- Lost Wages: Pedestrian accident injuries often lead to missed work. Victims can recover compensation for wages lost during recovery.
- Loss of Future Earnings: If the injury results in long-term or permanent disability that affects the victim’s ability to work, they may be entitled to compensation for lost earning potential. This includes career retraining or adaptations if returning to the same job is not possible.
- Property Damage: If personal belongings, such as a phone, glasses, or a bicycle, were damaged in the accident, the victim may be compensated for repair or replacement costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for the intangible effects of an accident, which can significantly impact a victim’s quality of life. These include:
- Pain and Suffering: This encompasses physical pain as well as emotional and psychological distress caused by the accident.
- Emotional Distress: Pedestrian accidents often leave victims with lasting emotional scars, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Injuries that prevent a victim from participating in activities they once enjoyed, such as hobbies or family outings, may warrant compensation.
- Loss of Consortium: In severe cases, the spouse or family of the injured party may seek compensation for the loss of companionship or support due to the accident.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, where the responsible party’s behavior was unusually egregious (e.g., driving under the influence), the court can award punitive damages. These are intended to punish the negligent party and discourage similar behavior in the future.
California’s Comparative Negligence Rule
Under California’s pure comparative negligence law, a victim may still recover damages even if they were partially at fault for the accident. For example, if a pedestrian was crossing outside of a crosswalk but the driver was speeding, the pedestrian’s compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault.
At Shea & Shea, our crosswalk accident lawyers work to minimize the impact of comparative negligence claims and maximize the compensation our clients receive.
Contact Shea & Shea for Pedestrian Accident Compensation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, it’s best to find an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer who will fight for you. At Shea & Shea, we are committed to helping victims recover the compensation they deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. Contact our San Francisco pedestrian accident law firm today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Why Choose Shea & Shea?
When you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, choosing the right legal representation can make all the difference in your recovery. At Shea & Shea, we bring decades of experience, a proven track record, and a client-centered approach to every case. Our team of San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyers is dedicated to fighting for your rights and securing compensation for your injuries.
Decades of Experience in Pedestrian Accident Cases
Shea & Shea’s hit-and-run pedestrian lawyers have successfully handled countless injury claims throughout California, including San Francisco. We understand the unique challenges posed by urban environments and the complexities of local traffic laws. Our in-depth knowledge of California pedestrian laws, combined with years of experience building strong cases, allows us to deliver outstanding results for our clients.
Proven Results
Our firm has a history of securing substantial settlements and verdicts for pedestrian accident victims. Whether through skilled negotiation with insurance companies or aggressive representation in court, Shea & Shea’s hit-by-car lawyers in San Francisco have consistently achieved favorable outcomes. We know how to hold negligent drivers, property owners, and other responsible parties accountable for their actions.
Personalized Service and Compassionate Advocacy
At Shea & Shea, we treat every client with the care and respect they deserve. We understand how traumatic a pedestrian accident can be, and we are here to guide you through every step of the legal process. From your initial consultation to the resolution of your case, our team is available to answer your questions, address your concerns, and provide the support you need during this challenging time.
If you need crosswalk injury legal help or want to discuss a similar type of pedestrian accident case, contact Shea & Shea today.
Comprehensive Case Management
Our attorneys handle every aspect of your case, including:
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence.
- Working with medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries.
- Calculating the value of your claim, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Negotiating with insurance companies and opposing counsel.
- Representing you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Contact Shea & Shea Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, let the trusted pedestrian accident attorneys at Shea & Shea help you. Contact our San Francisco pedestrian accident law firm for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can fight for just compensation. With our experience, dedication, and client-focused approach, you can trust us to advocate for your rights and secure the justice you deserve.
FAQs
If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, you likely have many questions about your rights, the legal process, and how to secure compensation. Below are answers to some of the most common questions Shea & Shea receives from clients relating to pedestrian legal help.
What should I do immediately after a pedestrian accident?
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if injuries seem minor, see a doctor to document your condition and address any hidden injuries.
- Report the Accident: Call the police to file an official accident report, which can be critical evidence for your case.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident site, including road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Gather contact information from witnesses.
- Avoid Speaking with Insurance Adjusters: Do not give recorded statements or sign anything without consulting an attorney.
- Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer: Reach out to a trusted lawyer for hit pedestrian claims at Shea & Shea to evaluate your case and protect your rights.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is generally two years from the date of the accident. If the accident involves a government entity (e.g., a city bus or public transportation), you must file an administrative claim within six months. Failing to meet these deadlines could bar you from recovering compensation for a pedestrian accident.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% responsible for the accident, your award would be reduced by 20%. Shea & Shea’s pedestrian injury claims lawyers will work diligently to minimize claims of shared fault and maximize your compensation.
What if the driver involved in my accident was uninsured or fled the scene?
If the driver was uninsured or involved in a hit-and-run, you may still have options:
- File a claim with your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, if available.
- Work with Shea & Shea’s pedestrian accident compensation lawyers to investigate and locate the driver, where possible.
- Pursue compensation through other liable parties, such as a municipality responsible for road maintenance.
How does Shea & Shea prove negligence in pedestrian accident cases?
Our San Francisco pedestrian accident law firm conducts thorough investigations to establish negligence. This includes:
- Gathering evidence such as traffic camera footage, police reports, and witness statements.
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts to determine fault.
- Demonstrating the connection between the driver’s negligence and your injuries.
Do I need a lawyer for my pedestrian injury case?
While not legally required, hiring an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in San Francisco significantly improves your chances of recovering fair compensation. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, but Shea & Shea’s team of pedestrian accident legal experts ensures that all damages—economic and non-economic—are accurately calculated and pursued aggressively.
How long does it take to resolve a pedestrian accident claim?
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, and whether a settlement is reached or the case goes to trial. Some claims are resolved in months, while others may take over a year. Our injury attorneys for pedestrians will keep you informed throughout the process and work to resolve your claim as efficiently as possible.
How much does it cost to hire Shea & Shea?
Shea & Shea operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs to obtain legal help for your pedestrian injuries. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. This allows you to focus on your recovery without worrying about legal fees.
How can I schedule a consultation with Shea & Shea?
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. Our local pedestrian accident attorneys will answer your questions and help you take the first steps toward securing compensation. Feel free to call our office at (408) 292-2434 and ask for the best pedestrian accident lawyers in San Francisco.