San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you were struck by a vehicle while walking in San Francisco, you may have the right to pursue compensation under California law. Pedestrian accident claims often involve serious injuries, disputed right-of-way issues, conflicting accounts of how the collision occurred, and insurance coverage questions. Some cases also involve public agencies or government vehicles, which can trigger much shorter deadlines.
Early investigation is critical. Surveillance footage can be erased, witnesses can become difficult to locate, and roadway conditions may change. Anderson Franco Law helps injured pedestrians preserve evidence, determine who may be legally responsible, identify available insurance coverage, and pursue compensation for the harm they suffered.
Call or text 415-727-1832 for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you. We represent injured pedestrians throughout San Francisco and California.

Do I Have a Pedestrian Accident Case?

You may have a pedestrian accident case, which is a type of personal injury claim, if a driver, company, public entity, or another party failed to use reasonable care and caused you to suffer injuries or other losses. A claim may still exist even if the driver denies fault, the insurance company blames you, or the collision happened outside a traditional crosswalk.
You may have a case if:

• A driver failed to yield while you were crossing the street
• A vehicle struck you while turning, backing up, speeding, or running a red light
• The driver was distracted or failed to keep a proper lookout
• You were struck in an intersection, crosswalk, parking lot, or driveway
• A bicyclist, rideshare driver, delivery driver, bus, or commercial vehicle struck you
• The driver fled the scene or did not have enough insurance
• Your injuries required medical treatment or caused you to miss work
• The accident affected your mobility, independence, or daily life
• The insurance company is disputing liability or minimizing your injuries

Do not assume that you have no case simply because the driver claims you were outside the crosswalk, crossed against the light, or appeared suddenly. Pedestrian accidents are often fact-intensive, and the available evidence may tell a different story.

Why Hire Anderson Franco Law for a Pedestrian Accident Case?

Clients choose Anderson Franco Law because pedestrian accident cases often require immediate investigation, detailed liability analysis, and careful documentation of the injuries and their effect on the client’s life.
Drivers and insurance companies frequently try to shift blame to the pedestrian. They may claim the pedestrian stepped into traffic, crossed outside the crosswalk, wore dark clothing, ignored a signal, or could not be seen in time. At the same time, evidence that could prove what happened may disappear quickly.
We investigate beyond the police report and the insurance company’s initial version of events. Depending on the case, our work may include:

• Seeking surveillance footage from nearby businesses, homes, buses, or other sources
• Locating and interviewing witnesses
• Reviewing photographs, vehicle damage, debris, skid marks, and roadway evidence
• Examining the intersection, crosswalk, signal sequence, lane layout, lighting, and visibility
• Using mapping tools and available location imagery to understand how the collision occurred
• Obtaining police reports, 911 recordings, EMS records, and medical documentation
• Identifying every potentially responsible driver, company, property owner, or public entity
• Investigating all potentially available insurance policies
• Documenting how the injuries affected the client’s work, mobility, health, and daily activities

We focus on serious injury cases throughout California. Whether the collision involved a private driver, rideshare vehicle, commercial vehicle, bus, or public entity, our goal is to build a strong, evidence-based claim and pursue the compensation available under California law.

Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle

Pedestrian accidents happen in many different ways. The location, vehicle movement, roadway design, and identity of the driver can all affect liability, insurance coverage, and filing deadlines.

Crosswalk Pedestrian Accidents

Many pedestrian claims arise when a driver fails to yield at a marked or unmarked crosswalk. These cases may involve disputed signal timing, turning movements, poor visibility, speeding, or driver inattention.

Intersection Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are often struck when a driver makes a left or right turn and fails to see someone crossing. Intersection cases may involve traffic signals, right-of-way disputes, multiple witnesses, nearby cameras, and comparative-fault allegations.

Parking Lot and Driveway Accidents

Drivers must still use reasonable care in parking lots and driveways. Pedestrians can be seriously injured when a driver backs up without looking, cuts across parking lanes, speeds through a lot, or exits a driveway without watching for foot traffic.

Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents

When a driver leaves the scene, prompt investigation becomes especially important. These claims may require surveillance footage, witness information, vehicle identification efforts, and an evaluation of uninsured motorist coverage or other possible sources of recovery.

Muni and Bus Pedestrian Accidents

Accidents involving Muni, buses, city vehicles, or other public transit vehicles can involve special government-claim requirements and much shorter deadlines. These cases should be evaluated immediately.

Child Pedestrian Accidents

When a child is struck by a vehicle, the injuries may be severe and the liability questions highly fact-specific. Important evidence may include the driver’s speed and attention, visibility, neighborhood conditions, school-zone traffic, parked vehicles, and the child’s location before impact.

Wrongful Death Pedestrian Claims

Some pedestrian collisions cause fatal injuries. In those cases, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim or other related claims under California law.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Pedestrian Accident?

A pedestrian injury claim may include compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and other lost income
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Physical impairment and loss of mobility
• Other losses caused by the collision

The value of a case depends on the available evidence, the degree of fault, the severity and duration of the injuries, the medical treatment required, any future limitations, and the amount of insurance or other recovery sources available.
A strong pedestrian accident claim does more than establish that a collision occurred. It connects the driver’s conduct to the impact, the injuries, the medical treatment, and the ways the accident changed the injured person’s life.

What If the Pedestrian Was Partly at Fault?

You may still be able to recover compensation even if the driver or insurance company argues that you were partly responsible. Common defense arguments include claims that the pedestrian crossed outside a crosswalk, entered the street too quickly, wore dark clothing, crossed against a signal, or was distracted.
Those allegations do not automatically defeat the claim. California allows fault to be divided among the people involved. Any percentage of fault assigned to the pedestrian may reduce the recovery, but it does not necessarily eliminate the case.
The analysis usually depends on where the collision happened, what each person was doing, how visible the pedestrian was, how fast the vehicle was traveling, and whether the driver had enough time to see and avoid the impact.

What Evidence Can Help Prove a Pedestrian Accident Case?

Evidence can determine whether an insurance company accepts liability or continues blaming the pedestrian. Depending on the facts, useful evidence may include:

• The traffic collision report
• Scene photographs and videos
• Surveillance footage
• Dashcam, body-camera, or transit-vehicle footage
• Eyewitness statements
• 911 recordings
• EMS and emergency room records
• Follow-up medical records
• Vehicle damage, debris, skid marks, and damaged personal property
• Crosswalk markings, traffic signals, lighting, and roadway design
• Signal timing and vehicle-turning patterns
• Cellphone, employment, or vehicle records when relevant

We have handled pedestrian cases in which important evidence came from nearby businesses, witnesses, and the roadway itself. We have obtained video from nearby sources, canvassed areas for witnesses, and used mapping and location imagery to evaluate visibility, crosswalk placement, driveway access, and turning movements.
The exact location of the impact may be especially important. A case can change depending on whether the pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk, an unmarked crosswalk, a driveway, a parking lot, a multi-lane turn, a right-on-red path, or a commercial loading area. Because video may be deleted quickly, evidence-preservation efforts should begin as soon as possible.

How Long Do You Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in California?

For most personal injury and wrongful death claims, California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 generally provides a two-year limitations period.
However, a much shorter deadline may apply when a city, county, transit agency, school district, or another public entity may be responsible. Government Code section 911.2 generally requires a claim to be presented within six months.
Because a pedestrian accident may involve both a private driver and a public entity, the applicable deadlines should be evaluated immediately. Waiting can also make it harder to preserve video, locate witnesses, and document the scene.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

Your health comes first. Seek medical attention promptly, even if the full extent of your injuries is not immediately clear.
When possible, also take steps to preserve the evidence:

• Call the police and obtain the report or incident number
• Photograph the scene, vehicle, roadway, traffic controls, and visible injuries
• Identify witnesses and save their contact information
• Preserve damaged clothing, shoes, bags, phones, or other personal property
• Write down the exact location and your memory of what happened
• Save messages, photographs, videos, and insurance information
• Avoid guessing about fault before the evidence has been reviewed

A pedestrian accident lawyer can also send preservation requests, seek surveillance footage, obtain 911 recordings, investigate available insurance, and help protect you from avoidable mistakes during the claims process.

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.

Speak With a San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

A pedestrian accident in San Francisco may involve much more than a routine insurance claim. Crosswalk rules, traffic signals, turning movements, speed, visibility, serious injuries, public-entity deadlines, and comparative-fault allegations can all affect the outcome.
Anderson Franco Law investigates pedestrian accidents, preserves available evidence, identifies responsible parties and insurance coverage, and pursues compensation for the full effect of the injuries.
Call or text 415-727-1832 to speak with Anderson Franco, a San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer. The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.