San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you were hit by a car while walking in San Francisco, a San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer may be able to help you pursue a claim under California law. Pedestrian accident cases often involve severe injuries, contested liability, right-of-way disputes, insurance coverage issues, and deadlines that can become important very quickly. Early investigation matters because surveillance footage, witness statements, vehicle information, and roadway evidence may not remain available for long.

Anderson Franco Law helps injured pedestrians in San Francisco investigate how the crash happened, determine who may be legally responsible, and pursue compensation from negligent drivers, companies, and, in some cases, public entities. Call or text 415-727-1832 for a free consultation. No fee unless we recover. Serving San Francisco and California.

Do I have a pedestrian accident case?

You may have a pedestrian accident case if a driver hit you while you were walking and the crash caused injuries, medical treatment, lost time from work, or other harm. Many injured pedestrians are not sure whether they have a claim because the driver blames them, the insurance company disputes fault, or the collision happened in a confusing location such as an intersection, crosswalk, parking lot, or driveway. A San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer can help evaluate whether a driver, company, public entity, or another party failed to use reasonable care under the circumstances. You may have a case if:

• A car failed to yield
• A driver was turning, backing up, speeding, distracted, or ran a red light
• A bicyclist ran you over
• You suffered injuries that required medical treatment
• The insurance company is disputing fault
• The crash involved a bus, rideshare vehicle, delivery vehicle, city vehicle, dangerous crossing, or hit-and-run
• Your injuries affected your work, mobility, or daily life

Even if you are not sure who had the right of way, you should not assume you do not have a case. A pedestrian claim may still exist even when the driver denies fault or the facts are disputed. We help injured pedestrians in San Francisco evaluate liability, preserve evidence, and determine whether compensation may be available.

Why hire Anderson Franco Law for a San Francisco pedestrian accident case?

Clients hire Anderson Franco Law for San Francisco pedestrian accident cases because these claims often require fast investigation, strong liability analysis, and immediate evidence preservation.

Pedestrian accident cases in San Francisco are often heavily disputed. The driver may claim the pedestrian stepped outside the crosswalk, crossed against the light, appeared suddenly, or was partly at fault. Meanwhile, critical evidence can disappear quickly. Surveillance footage may be erased, witnesses may become hard to find, and the roadway conditions at the scene may change. At Anderson Franco Law, we move quickly to investigate how the collision happened, preserve available evidence, identify all potentially responsible parties, and build the case around the real harm the client suffered.

We look beyond the police report and the insurance company’s first version of events. In pedestrian cases, we often search for video from nearby businesses, homes, buses, or other sources, canvass the area to identify witnesses, review scene photographs, and use mapping and location tools to better understand the intersection, crosswalk, signal sequence, lane layout, visibility, and traffic flow. That work can matter a great deal in San Francisco pedestrian injury cases, especially when liability is disputed or the defense tries to shift blame to the injured person.

We focus on serious injury cases in California. That means we look carefully at fault, medical evidence, insurance coverage, and the full effect the injuries have had on the client’s life. Whether the case involves a private driver, rideshare vehicle, commercial vehicle, company, or public entity, our goal is the same: build a strong, fact-driven claim and pursue the maximum recovery available under California law.

Types of pedestrian accidents we handle

Pedestrian accident claims can arise in many different ways, and the facts of the collision often shape how liability, insurance coverage, and damages are analyzed. We help injured pedestrians in San Francisco evaluate a wide range of cases, including collisions involving crosswalks, intersections, parking lots, buses, hit-and-runs, and fatal pedestrian crashes. Some cases involve a negligent driver. Others involve a company vehicle, a dangerous roadway condition, or a public entity. Below are examples of the types of pedestrian accident cases we handle.

Crosswalk pedestrian accidents

Many pedestrian injury claims arise when a driver fails to yield at a marked or unmarked crosswalk. These cases often involve disputed signal timing, turning movements, visibility issues, and driver inattention.

Intersection pedestrian accidents

Intersection pedestrian accidents are common in San Francisco and often occur when a driver is making a left turn or right turn and fails to see the pedestrian. These cases may involve right-of-way disputes, traffic signal issues, and comparative-fault allegations.

Parking lot pedestrian accidents

Pedestrians can be seriously injured in parking lots when a driver is backing up, cutting through lanes, speeding, or failing to watch for foot traffic. Although these crashes may happen at lower speeds, they can still cause significant injury.

Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents

Some pedestrian collisions involve drivers who flee the scene. Hit-and-run cases may require investigation into surveillance footage, witness information, uninsured motorist coverage, and other available sources of recovery.

Muni / bus pedestrian accidents

Pedestrian accidents involving Muni, buses, or other public transit vehicles can raise additional issues, including public-entity claim requirements and shorter deadlines. These cases should be evaluated quickly.

Child pedestrian accidents

When a child is struck by a vehicle, the injuries can be severe and the liability issues can be highly fact-specific. These cases often require careful review of visibility, speed, neighborhood conditions, school-area traffic, and driver attention.

Wrongful death pedestrian claims

Some pedestrian crashes result in fatal injuries. In those cases, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim or related legal claims under California law.

What compensation may a pedestrian accident lawyer recover?

A pedestrian injury claim may include compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages allowed by California law. The value depends on liability, the severity of the injuries, the medical evidence, the course of treatment, future limitations, and the insurance available.

A strong pedestrian case is not just about showing that a crash happened. It is about proving how the crash happened, documenting the injuries thoroughly, and connecting the collision to the treatment, limitations, and losses that followed.

What if the pedestrian was also partly at fault?

A pedestrian may still recover compensation even if the driver or insurance company argues the pedestrian was partly at fault. In many cases, the defense claims the pedestrian crossed outside a crosswalk, entered the roadway too quickly, wore dark clothing, crossed against a signal, or otherwise failed to use reasonable care. Those arguments do not automatically bar recovery. They are comparative-fault arguments, and the facts must still be examined carefully.

That matters because pedestrian cases in California are rarely as simple as saying the driver was entirely at fault or the pedestrian caused the crash. California law imposes duties on both drivers and pedestrians, and the legal analysis usually turns on how the collision happened, where it occurred, what each person was doing, and whether the driver still had the time and ability to avoid the impact. Put differently, partial fault does not automatically destroy a pedestrian accident claim. It may reduce the amount of compensation, but it does not necessarily eliminate the case.

What evidence helps a San Francisco pedestrian accident case?

Evidence can be critical in a San Francisco pedestrian accident case because it helps show how the collision happened, who was at fault, and how seriously the pedestrian was injured. A San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer will often look for evidence such as the traffic collision report, scene photographs, surveillance video, dashcam footage, body camera footage, eyewitness statements, 911 recordings, EMS records, emergency room records, follow-up medical treatment, and physical evidence like skid marks, debris, vehicle damage, crosswalk markings, signal timing, and intersection design.

We have handled cases where key evidence came from nearby businesses, witnesses, and the surrounding roadway itself. We have obtained video footage from nearby businesses and other sources, canvassed areas to identify witnesses, and used Google Street View and other location imagery to better understand visibility, crosswalk layout, turning movements, driveway access, and how the impact likely occurred. These steps can make a real difference in establishing fault, especially when the driver disputes what happened.

In serious pedestrian injury cases, the exact roadway layout may matter a great deal. The claim may depend on whether the collision happened in a marked crosswalk, an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, a driveway exit, a parking lot, a multi-lane turn, a right-on-red movement, a backing collision, or a commercial loading area. Video from nearby businesses, homes, buses, or other sources may also disappear quickly if it is not preserved, which is one reason pedestrian accident cases should be investigated promptly.

How long do you have to file a pedestrian accident claim in California?

For most San Francisco personal injury cases, Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 provides a two-year limitations period for injury to, or death of, an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.

But if a public entity may be responsible, the claim-presentation rule in Government Code section 911.2 can require action within six months. Missing that deadline can create major problems.

Because pedestrian accident cases can involve both private drivers and public-entity issues, waiting can be costly.

Related accident cases we handle

Some pedestrian accident cases involve issues that go beyond a standard pedestrian injury claim. If the collision involved a delivery truck, construction accidents, garbage truck, or other commercial vehicle, the case may also raise truck accident issues such as company liability, multiple insurance policies, and business-related evidence including driver logs, vehicle records, and employer communications.

If the injured pedestrian was working at the time of the crash, the matter may also involve a workers’ compensation claim alongside a third-party personal injury case. In other situations, the facts may overlap with a bicycle accident or motorcycle accident case, especially where visibility, lane position, roadway use, or right-of-way is disputed.

These overlapping issues can change how the case should be investigated and what compensation may be available. Our firm also handles San Francisco truck accident cases, bicycle accident cases, motorcycle accident cases, and workers’ compensation matters, which helps us evaluate pedestrian cases with related liability, insurance, and evidence issues from the start.

What to do after a pedestrian accident

Get medical care first. Pedestrian injuries are often more serious than they seem in the hours right after a collision.

Then, if you can, start preserving the case. That usually means getting the police report number, identifying witnesses, taking or saving photographs, keeping damaged clothing and shoes, documenting the exact location, and avoiding statements about fault before the evidence is fully reviewed. A San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer can also help preserve critical evidence early, including surveillance footage, 911 recordings, and available insurance coverage. If the driver fled the scene, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may also need to be investigated.

Frequently asked questions about pedestrian accidents

Can I still have a case if I was not in a crosswalk?

Yes, you may still have a case even if you were not in a crosswalk. In California, pedestrians outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk generally must yield to vehicles that pose an immediate hazard, but drivers still owe a duty to use due care for pedestrian safety. Whether a valid claim exists depends on the facts, including speed, visibility, roadway design, driver conduct, and whether the driver had enough time to see and avoid the pedestrian. A San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer can evaluate those facts carefully, and we have recovered compensation for pedestrians who were injured outside of a crosswalk.

What if the driver says I crossed against the light?

If the driver says you crossed against the light, that does not automatically end the case. Even if a pedestrian entered the roadway against a signal, the driver still has a duty to use due care for pedestrian safety. The real issue is how the collision happened and whether the driver could have seen the pedestrian and avoided the crash.

What if the driver ran a red light while I was crossing?

If the driver ran a red light while you were crossing, that can be strong evidence of liability. Drivers facing a steady red light must stop before the crosswalk or intersection, and a driver turning right on red must still yield to pedestrians lawfully in the adjacent crosswalk. Evidence such as witness statements, traffic cameras, and signal timing can be important in proving what happened. We have used nearby cameras to establish liability against drivers who ran a red light.

What if the collision happened at a San Francisco intersection?

If the collision happened at a San Francisco intersection, the same California traffic rules still apply, but the case may involve additional evidence issues. Urban intersections often raise questions about camera footage, signal timing, Muni or other transit involvement, multiple witnesses, and roadway design. We have recovered insurance policy limits on behalf of pedestrians in San Francisco accidents.

How long do I have to file suit?

The time you have to file suit is usually two years in a standard pedestrian accident case. However, if a public entity may be responsible, you may need to present a claim much sooner, often within six months. That is why deadlines should be evaluated early.

What if the driver does not have insurance or fled?

If the driver does not have insurance or fled, there may still be insurance issues worth investigating. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may apply if the at-fault driver had no insurance, not enough insurance, or cannot be identified in a hit-and-run. A San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer should review your case.

Do pedestrians always have the right of way in California?

No, pedestrians do not always have the right of way in California. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and unmarked crosswalks at intersections, but pedestrians also must use reasonable care and cannot step into immediate danger. Even when a pedestrian is outside a crosswalk, drivers still have a duty to use due care to avoid hitting them.

In most pedestrian cases, the issue is not a simple yes-or-no question about right of way. The real question is how the collision happened, what the evidence shows, and whether the driver or insurance company is trying to place too much blame on the pedestrian. For example, we represented a client who was struck by a car while jaywalking in a parking lot. Even though jaywalking can be used as a defense, we recovered the full $100,000 policy limit by showing that the driver still had a duty to operate the vehicle carefully in a parking lot and avoid hitting a visible pedestrian.

What if I’m hit by a car in a crosswalk?

If you’re hit by a car in a crosswalk, that can be significant evidence of liability. In California, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections, though the final analysis always depends on how the impact occurred and whether the pedestrian suddenly entered an immediate danger. We have represented clients who were hit while crossing the street.

What if the driver was turning when they hit me?

If the driver was turning when they hit you, that’s usually a significant factor in the pedestrian’s favor. A turning driver, even at certain permitted red-light turns, still has a duty to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians legally within the adjacent crosswalk and to exercise due caution.

What if the driver says they didn’t see me?

If the driver says they didn’t see you, that does not automatically eliminate liability. In many cases, the real question is whether the driver should have seen you in time and whether they were driving with reasonable attention, speed, and caution under the conditions. A San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer can evaluate whether the driver had the time and ability to avoid the collision. Unfortunately, “I didn’t see the pedestrian” is a common excuse, but legally it does not automatically excuse the driver.

Can I have a case if the accident happened at night?

Yes, you can have a case if the accident happened at night. The fact that the accident happened at night does not absolve the driver of responsibility, because visibility, speed, lighting, pedestrian clothing, street design, and reaction time are still important factors.

Can I recover money if I was looking at my phone when I was hit by a car?

Yes, you can recover money if you were looking at your phone when you were hit, although that fact can be used to argue comparative fault. In California, fault can be apportioned between the parties, so the question is usually not whether the case goes away, but how much of the responsibility the other party will try to shift onto you.

What happens if the driver fled the scene?

If the driver fled, there may still be a path to recovery. Depending on the circumstances and your policy, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can be crucial in pedestrian accidents caused by hit-and-run or underinsured drivers. We have recovered money for our clients even when the at-fault-driver drives away.

What if the driver was uninsured?

If the driver was uninsured, that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no possibility of recovery. In many cases, you should check if there’s uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on an applicable policy, in addition to any other possible sources of insurance. We have handled dozens of uninsured motorist cases where our clients recovered money.

What if I was hit by a bus, city vehicle, or municipal vehicle?

If you were hit by a bus, city vehicle, or municipal vehicle, your case should be reviewed immediately because it may involve a public entity. In California, injury claims against a public agency typically require a prior administrative claim, and the general time limit is usually six months from the date of the injury. It is particularly important to speak with a San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer if you were struck by a bus or commercial vehicle.

What if I didn’t call the police?

If you didn’t call the police, you may still have a case, but the failure to report the incident can make other evidence more important. In such cases, photos, videos, witnesses, medical records, messages, and any early documentation can become key to proving how the accident occurred. It is not necessary to call the police to have a pedestrian accident case you can pursue.

Can I have a case even if I didn’t go to the hospital the same day?

Yes, you can have a case even if you didn’t go to the hospital the same day. In our experience, the delay in seeking medical attention may be used by the insurance company to argue that the injury wasn’t serious or wasn’t caused by the collision. However, this does not absolve them. You can still pursue a personal injury case.

What if I suffered a brain injury, fracture, or serious injury as a pedestrian?

If you suffered a brain injury, fracture, or serious injury as a pedestrian, the value and complexity of your case can increase significantly. In our experience, we often pursue the insurance policy limit (or more) for these catastrophic injuries. These injuries may involve extensive treatment, loss of income, future care, pain and suffering, and, in some cases, permanent limitations that must be carefully documented.

What damages can I claim in a pedestrian accident case?

The damages you can claim in a pedestrian accident case may include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the impact of the injury on your life. The actual value depends on the severity of the injury, the driver’s fault, and the available evidence.

Who pays my medical bills after a pedestrian accident?

Who pays your medical bills after a pedestrian accident depends on your coverage. In many cases, health insurance, Med Pay (if applicable), or uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage will cover your expenses first, and then you can file a claim for those damages. Alternatively, a San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer with relationships in the medical community may be able to help you obtain treatment on a lien. This means the doctor agrees to wait for payment until your pedestrian accident case resolves.

How long does a pedestrian accident case take?

The time a pedestrian accident case takes depends on the severity of the injury, the length of treatment, whether liability is disputed, and whether there are coverage issues or a public entity involved. Some cases are resolved quickly, but others require litigation and can take considerably longer. In our experience, we have resolved some cases within a month and others after several years. Depending on the injuries, facts of the case, and insurance policy limits, a case can resolve before filing a lawsuit.

What if my child is hit by a car?

If your child is hit by a car, the claim is usually brought on the child’s behalf by a parent or another adult acting as a court-appointed guardian ad litem. In most San Francisco pedestrian accident cases, the filing deadline is tolled while the child is a minor, but cases involving a city, county, school district, or other public entity can have much shorter deadlines, so the matter should be reviewed immediately. Because the claim belongs to the child, any settlement usually must be approved by the court, and attorney’s fees are also subject to court approval. Many child injury cases are handled on a 25% contingency, but the court must still decide whether the fee is reasonable under the circumstances.

What happens if a loved one died in a pedestrian accident?

If a loved one died in a pedestrian accident, a wrongful death claim may be available under California law. These cases should be reviewed as soon as possible to preserve evidence, identify all available insurance coverage, determine who has the right to bring the claim, and make sure all deadlines are met.

Can I have a case if I’m hit by a car in a parking lot or driveway?

Yes, you may have a case if you are hit by a car in a parking lot or driveway. Even though it’s not a typical intersection, the driver still has a duty to drive with reasonable care and avoid hitting visible pedestrians in the area. We have obtained the insurance policy limits for our clients who were hit by a car in parking lots.

Does it matter that the accident happened in San Francisco?

Yes, it matters that the accident happened in San Francisco because there may be cameras, witnesses, municipal routes, road design issues, or possible involvement of a public entity. These factors can affect both the proof of liability and the time limits for filing a claim.

Should I speak with the driver’s insurance company?

Speaking with the driver’s insurance company without fully understanding the case can be risky. In many cases, the insurance company will try to get an early version of events, which they will then use to argue about visibility, crossing outside of a crosswalk, traffic signals, or comparative fault. This can potentially hurt your case because anything you say can be used against you.

When should I speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer?

You should speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. The sooner the case is reviewed, the easier it is to preserve video footage, locate witnesses, review potential insurance policies, and avoid mistakes with the insurance company or claim deadlines.

Speak with a San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer

If you were hit while walking in San Francisco Bay Area, the case may involve more than a simple insurance claim. Crosswalk rules, signal rules, turn rules, speed, visibility, serious injuries, public-entity deadlines, and comparative-fault arguments can all shape the outcome. California law imposes duties on both drivers and pedestrians, but it also preserves the driver’s duty of due care throughout these situations.

Contact Anderson Franco, a San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer, to discuss your case.