Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer San Diego
Protecting The Rights Of Injured Pedestrians
The San Diego metropolitan area has many busy spots filled with pedestrians and motor vehicles. Areas such as North County, the pedestrian walkway at Del Mar Highlands Town Center and the busy shopping intersection at El Camino Real and Del Mar Highlands Town Center sees many accidents every year.
Pedestrian accidents can be severe, and often lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities. You need an experienced personal injury lawyer to help guide you through the legal process and help you fight for the compensation you deserve. At AK Injury Law Firm, we passionately fight for the rights of injured pedestrians to hold responsible parties accountable and obtain just compensation.
Work With An Attorney Who Understands Your Injuries
Our attorney, Dr. Azadeh Keshavarz, has a decade of experience assisting injured patients as a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine. She has seen many pedestrian injuries firsthand and understands the kinds of injuries these accidents can cause. Without the body of a car or vehicle to protect them, when pedestrians are involved in an accident, the results can be catastrophic. With unique medical experience behind us, we can build a strong case that takes the details of your injuries into account.
Common injuries after a pedestrian accident include:
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ injuries
Pedestrian Laws In California
California law establishes specific rights and responsibilities for both pedestrians and drivers to promote safety on roadways and sidewalks. Pedestrians have the right to use crosswalks and sidewalks safely, expect drivers to yield at marked crosswalks and receive protection under traffic laws when following proper procedures.
Pedestrian responsibilities include obeying traffic signals and signs, using designated crosswalks when available, and avoiding sudden movements into traffic that could endanger themselves or drivers. Drivers bear the responsibility to exercise due care around pedestrians, yield the right-of-way at crosswalks, maintain safe following distances, and remain alert for pedestrians in all areas, including parking lots and residential neighborhoods.
California Pedestrian Accident Statistics
California pedestrian accident data reveals the serious nature of these incidents and highlights the need for increased safety awareness throughout the state:
- Approximately 1,000 pedestrians are killed annually in California traffic accidents
- Over 14,000 pedestrians sustain injuries requiring medical treatment each year
- Pedestrian fatalities account for nearly 25% of all traffic deaths in California
- More than 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur during nighttime hours when visibility is reduced
- Urban areas experience significantly higher pedestrian accident rates than rural locations due to increased traffic density
- Senior citizens aged 65 and older represent a disproportionate number of pedestrian fatalities despite comprising a smaller portion of the walking population
- Children under 15 years old account for approximately 10% of all pedestrian injuries statewide
These statistics demonstrate the urgent need for improved pedestrian safety measures and driver awareness throughout California communities, particularly in high traffic urban areas where most accidents occur.
Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents
Understanding the primary factors that contribute to pedestrian accidents helps identify preventable situations and establish liability in injury cases:
- Distracted driving involving cellphone use, texting or other activities that divert driver attention from the roadway
- Speeding that reduces reaction time and increases the severity of impacts when collisions occur
- Failure to yield the right-of-way at crosswalks, intersections or when pedestrians have legal priority
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs that impairs judgment, reaction time, and decision-making abilities
- Reckless driving behaviors including aggressive lane changes, running red lights or ignoring traffic control devices
- Poor visibility conditions during dawn, dusk or nighttime hours when pedestrians are harder to see
- Driver inexperience or elderly drivers with diminished reflexes and vision capabilities
These factors often combine to create dangerous situations that result in preventable pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
Contact Us Today To Get Started On Your Case
Pedestrian Accident FAQs
Can AK Injury Law Firm afford to take on a complex or expensive case?
Yes. We advance every cost your case needs, including accident reconstruction, traffic-camera and witness investigation, and medical experts, and we prepare every case to go to trial if the insurer will not pay fairly. You pay nothing up front, and if we do not win, you owe nothing: no attorney fee and no repayment of costs. We have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients, though past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See our recent results.
Will I work directly with the attorney?
Yes. AK Injury Law Firm is a boutique firm, and Dr. Azadeh Keshavarz personally handles every case. You can reach her directly, and a dedicated case manager helps with day-to-day questions.
Do drivers always have to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk?
Drivers must yield to a pedestrian crossing within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection (Vehicle Code section 21950). Pedestrians also must not suddenly step into the path of a vehicle that is too close to stop.
Can I recover if I was jaywalking?
Possibly. California’s comparative fault rules let an injured pedestrian recover even if partly at fault, reduced by their share. Drivers still owe a duty of care to everyone on the road.
What if a broken sidewalk caused my fall?
Sidewalk defects can make a city or property owner responsible. Claims against a public entity usually must be filed within six months (Government Code section 911.2). Read how sidewalk conditions cause pedestrian accidents. You can report hazards through the City of San Diego’s Get It Done service.
What should I do after being hit by a car?
Get medical care, call police and save photos and witness names. Our guide covers steps to take after being hit in a crosswalk and how California law protects pedestrians.
Dr. Azadeh Keshavarz, Esq
Founder/Managing Attorney
Bilingual - English I Spanish