Pedestrian accidents in San Diego often lead to severe and life-changing injuries. When a vehicle strikes someone on foot, the pedestrian has no physical protection against the force of impact. Collisions in areas such as Pacific Beach, Balboa Park, and downtown San Diego frequently result in broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, and long-term medical care.
If a driver failed to yield, was distracted, or violated traffic laws, a San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer at Bonnici Law Group may assist you in pursuing financial recovery under California law. Our attorneys represent injured pedestrians throughout San Diego County and understand how to establish driver negligence, counter insurance company defenses, and evaluate the potential value of a pedestrian injury claim.
We focus on holding negligent drivers responsible and protecting the rights of people injured while walking. Contact Bonnici Law Group today for a free consultation to discuss your pedestrian accident case.
If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
Table of contents
- How Bonnici Law Group Helps Pedestrian Accident Victims in San Diego
- Past Case Results
- Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in San Diego County
- California Pedestrian Right of Way Laws
- Types of Injuries from Pedestrian Accidents
- Compensation Available in San Diego Pedestrian Accident Cases
- Filing Deadlines for Pedestrian Accident Claims in California
- Understanding Comparative Negligence in Pedestrian Cases
- FAQs for San Diego Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Pedestrian Accident Resources
- Speak With a San Diego Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
How Bonnici Law Group Helps Pedestrian Accident Victims in San Diego
At Bonnici Law Group, we represent pedestrian accident victims throughout Southern California. These cases often involve serious injuries due to the lack of physical protection for pedestrians.
Our firm understands the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that follow a pedestrian collision.
Personalized Legal Support After a Pedestrian Collision
Every pedestrian accident case is unique. Some crashes occur in busy crosswalks with clear video evidence, while others happen on poorly lit roads where witness testimony is critical.
Our firm begins each case with a thorough investigation, gathering police reports, medical records, surveillance footage, and witness statements to build a strong claim. We communicate directly with our clients, return calls within 24 hours, and keep you informed at every stage of your case.
Defending Pedestrian Accident Victims Against Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies often move quickly after a pedestrian accident, attempting to obtain recorded statements or push early settlement offers before the full extent of injuries is known.
Our firm handles all communication with insurers, documents the complete scope of your injuries, calculates both current and future damages, and negotiates aggressively for fair compensation. When insurers refuse to offer a settlement you find acceptable, we are prepared to litigate your case in court when appropriate.
Past Case Results
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in San Diego County
Driver negligence remains the leading cause of pedestrian collisions throughout the San Diego region. Busy intersections near downtown, tourist areas in Coronado, and residential streets in neighborhoods like North Park and Hillcrest all present hazards for people on foot.
Understanding how the accident occurred is a key part of proving liability and strengthening your claim. Several driver behaviors frequently contribute to pedestrian collisions in our community:
- Distracted driving, including texting or using navigation apps while operating a vehicle
- Failure to yield at crosswalks or when making left or right turns
- Speeding through residential areas, school zones, or shopping districts
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Running red lights or ignoring stop signs at busy intersections
Each of these behaviors violates California traffic laws in most cases. When a driver’s failure to use reasonable care causes injury, the pedestrian may pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.
California Pedestrian Right of Way Laws
California Vehicle Code Section 21950 establishes that drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing within any marked or unmarked crosswalk. This statute places a legal duty on motorists to exercise caution and reduce speed when approaching pedestrians. Violating this law creates a strong foundation for proving negligence in a pedestrian accident lawsuit.
The law also requires drivers to exercise due care for pedestrian safety even when walkers are outside crosswalks. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21954, drivers must still take reasonable steps to avoid hitting pedestrians, regardless of where the pedestrian is located on the roadway.
Pedestrian Responsibilities Under California Law
While drivers carry significant legal responsibilities, pedestrians also have duties under California law. Walkers may not suddenly leave a curb and enter traffic in a way that creates an immediate hazard. Pedestrians must also obey traffic signals and avoid unnecessarily stopping or delaying in crosswalks.
These responsibilities matter because California follows a pure comparative negligence system. If a pedestrian is found partially at fault for an accident, their compensation may be reduced proportionally. However, even pedestrians who bear some responsibility may still recover damages for their injuries under California law.
Types of Injuries from Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian collisions often result in catastrophic injuries because the human body has no protection against the force of a moving vehicle. Even accidents at relatively low speeds, such as 20 or 25 miles per hour, may cause life-altering harm to a person on foot.
Common Physical Injuries in San Diego Pedestrian Accidents
The types of injuries pedestrians suffer depend on factors like vehicle speed, point of impact, and whether the pedestrian was thrown or pinned. Medical treatment often extends for months or years after the initial collision.
Pedestrian accident victims frequently experience one or more of the following injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions from head impact with the vehicle or pavement
- Spinal cord damage that may result in partial or complete paralysis
- Multiple bone fractures, particularly to the legs, pelvis, and hips
- Internal organ damage requiring emergency surgery
- Severe road rash, lacerations, and soft tissue injuries
These injuries often require extensive hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation. Many pedestrian accident survivors face permanent disabilities that affect their ability to work and enjoy daily activities.
Emotional and Psychological Injuries After Pedestrian Accidents
Physical injuries tell only part of the story. Pedestrian accident victims frequently experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety about crossing streets, depression, and emotional distress that interferes with their quality of life. California law allows recovery for these non-economic losses, which often make up a substantial portion of a pedestrian accident claim.
Compensation Available in San Diego Pedestrian Accident Cases
After a pedestrian accident, injured individuals may seek compensation through a personal injury claim. The specific damages available depend on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your ability to work, and other factors unique to your situation.
Economic Damages in San Diego Pedestrian Accident Claims
Economic damages compensate for the financial losses directly resulting from your pedestrian accident. These damages have clear dollar values supported by bills, receipts, and documentation.
Economic damages in pedestrian cases typically include emergency room and hospital bills, ongoing medical treatment costs, prescription medications, physical therapy and rehabilitation expenses, lost wages during recovery, and reduced future earning capacity if injuries prevent returning to previous employment.
Property damage, such as damaged personal electronics or clothing destroyed in the collision, may also be recoverable.
Non-Economic Damages for Pedestrian Accident Victims
Non-economic damages address the intangible losses that affect your quality of life. While these damages lack specific receipts, they represent real harm that deserves compensation.
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium all fall within this category. In cases involving permanent disability or disfigurement, non-economic damages can sometimes exceed economic damages.
Filing Deadlines for Pedestrian Accident Claims in California
California law imposes strict time limits on personal injury claims. Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, pedestrian accident victims have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically bars you from pursuing compensation through the court system.
Pedestrian Accident Claims Involving Government Liability
Different rules apply when a government vehicle or government-owned property plays a role in a pedestrian accident. If the responsible party is a California city, county, or state agency, you must first file an administrative claim within six months of the injury. Only after completing this required claims process can a lawsuit be pursued.
Government liability in pedestrian accidents may stem from hazards such as poorly maintained sidewalks, malfunctioning or missing crosswalk signals, inadequate street lighting, or crashes involving city, county, or state vehicles.
Because these cases are subject to a shortened filing deadline, speaking with a San Diego pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible can be especially important.
Understanding Comparative Negligence in Pedestrian Cases
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule that allows accident victims to recover compensation even when they share some fault for the collision. This legal framework differs from states that bar recovery entirely if the victim bears any responsibility.
Under California's system, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. Even pedestrians who bear significant fault may still recover a portion of their damages under this rule.
Insurance companies frequently argue that pedestrians contributed to their own injuries by jaywalking, wearing dark clothing at night, or failing to watch for traffic.
An experienced pedestrian injury lawyer challenges these arguments with evidence showing the driver's negligence was the primary cause of the collision.
FAQs for San Diego Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
How much does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident attorney in San Diego?
Bonnici Law Group handles pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs or hourly fees. Attorney fees come from the settlement or verdict recovered in your case. If we do not recover compensation for you, you owe no attorney’s fees, and responsibility for case costs will be governed by our written fee agreement.
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?
Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents present additional challenges, but financial recovery may still be possible depending on the coverages and facts involved. Your own uninsured motorist coverage might apply to cover your injuries. Law enforcement investigations sometimes identify the responsible driver through witnesses, surveillance cameras, or vehicle debris left at the scene. A pedestrian accident attorney helps explore all available avenues for compensation.
How long do pedestrian accident cases take to resolve?
Case timelines vary based on injury severity, treatment duration, and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial. Some straightforward cases resolve within several months, while complex cases involving severe injuries or disputed liability may take a year or longer. We keep clients informed throughout the process and do not recommend settling before the claim’s value has been reasonably evaluated.
Will my case go to trial?
Most pedestrian accident claims settle through negotiation without requiring trial. However, when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation, taking the case before a jury becomes necessary. The attorneys at Bonnici Law Group prepare every case as though it will go to trial, which often motivates insurance companies to offer reasonable settlements.
What if I was crossing outside a crosswalk when the accident happened?
Crossing outside a crosswalk does not automatically bar you from recovery under California law. Drivers still have a duty to exercise due care for pedestrian safety throughout the roadway. Pure comparative negligence means your compensation might be reduced based on your share of fault, but you may still pursue a claim for your injuries.
Pedestrian Accident Resources
Speak With a San Diego Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
Every day that passes after a pedestrian accident allows evidence to disappear and memories to fade. Witnesses become harder to locate, surveillance footage gets deleted, and insurance companies use delays to their advantage. The two-year statute of limitations may seem like a long time, but building a strong case requires starting early.
For over a decade, Bonnici Law Group has represented injured San Diegans and has been recognized by organizations such as Super Lawyers and Lead Counsel, based on their independent selection criteria. We believe every pedestrian accident victim deserves personal attention, honest advice, and aggressive representation against negligent drivers and their insurance companies.
Contact Bonnici Law Group today for a free consultation with a San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer dedicated to protecting your recovery.ou can reach us by phone at (619) 259-5199 or sign up for a free consultation on our website.