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Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in the San Francisco Bay Area

Pedestrian accident attorney Bay Area

Protecting Injured Pedestrians Across Alameda, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, and Contra Costa Counties

Pedestrian accidents can be devastating, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. When a driver's negligence causes harm, injured pedestrians and their families deserve justice and fair compensation. At Ginny Walia Law Offices, we stand up for victims throughout the Bay Area - ensuring that negligent drivers and insurance companies are held accountable under California personal injury law. Whether struck by a car, truck, or other vehicle, we fight for full compensation.

Why Pedestrian Accidents Are So Dangerous

Unlike motorists, pedestrians have no physical protection in a collision. Even a low-speed impact can cause serious or permanent injuries. Common injuries in pedestrian accidents include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Internal bleeding or organ damage
  • Road rash and lacerations
  • Wrongful death

If you or a loved one has been struck by a vehicle while walking, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in California

Many pedestrian accidents occur because drivers fail to exercise reasonable care. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Distracted driving (texting, eating, or adjusting GPS)
  • Speeding in residential or school zones
  • Failing to yield at crosswalks
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Unsafe turns or failure to check for pedestrians

California Vehicle Code §21950 requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections. When drivers ignore this duty, they can be held legally responsible for resulting injuries.

Your Rights as a Pedestrian in California

California law strongly protects pedestrians. Under Vehicle Code §21950–21955, pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked crosswalks and most intersections. However, pedestrians must also exercise reasonable care for their safety, such as obeying traffic signals and avoiding sudden entry into the roadway.

Even if you were partially at fault, California's comparative negligence rule allows you to recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. Our attorneys carefully investigate every case to prove negligence and maximize your recovery.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

If you've been injured in a pedestrian accident, take the following steps to protect your health and your legal rights:

  1. Call 911 and seek immediate medical attention.
  2. Obtain a police report - it will serve as key evidence.
  3. Gather witness information and photos of the scene if possible.
  4. Do not speak to the driver's insurance company before consulting an attorney.
  5. Contact an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible.

The sooner we can start investigating, the better we can preserve evidence - such as traffic camera footage, accident scene details, and witness statements.

Proving Liability in Pedestrian Accident Cases

Our legal team investigates each case thoroughly to determine:

  • Whether the driver violated traffic laws
  • Whether visibility or road design contributed to the crash
  • The extent of the pedestrian's injuries and losses
  • Whether insurance coverage or multiple parties are involved

We work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and financial analysts to build a strong case for maximum compensation.

Compensation Available to Injured Pedestrians

Victims of pedestrian accidents may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical expenses (current and future)
  • Lost income and reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Wrongful death damages (for surviving family members)

Our firm fights tirelessly to recover the full value of your claim - not just what the insurance company offers.

Serving the Bay Area with Compassion and Strength

The Ginny Walia Law Offices has represented injury victims in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years. We are deeply familiar with local roads, intersections, and traffic patterns in:

  • Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley)
  • Santa Clara County (San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas)
  • Contra Costa County (Concord, Walnut Creek, Richmond)
  • San Joaquin County (Stockton, Tracy, Manteca)

Whether your accident occurred downtown or in a suburban neighborhood, our firm provides local insight and aggressive advocacy tailored to your case.

Why Choose Ginny Walia Law Offices

  • Proven record of success in personal injury and complex litigation
  • Compassionate, personalized legal representation
  • Free consultation - you pay nothing unless we win your case
  • Bilingual services available (English & Punjabi)
  • Strong relationships with medical experts and investigators

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

If you or someone you love was injured in a pedestrian accident, don't wait. Evidence can disappear, and time limits apply to file a claim. Let our experienced Bay Area pedestrian accident lawyers fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Request Free Consultation Call +1 (800) 379-9330

Pedestrian Accident FAQs

If you've been struck by a vehicle, call 911 immediately and get medical help. Report the accident to the police and ensure an official report is filed. Gather contact information for the driver and any witnesses, take photos of the scene, and avoid making statements to insurance companies before speaking with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. The team at Ginny Walia Law Offices can guide you through every step and protect your rights.

In most cases, the driver who hit the pedestrian is liable, especially if they were speeding, distracted, or failed to yield at a crosswalk. However, liability can also involve other parties — such as local municipalities for poor road design or defective traffic signals. Under California's comparative negligence rule, you may still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault.

Under California Vehicle Code §§21950–21955, pedestrians generally have the right-of-way at marked and unmarked crosswalks. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in these areas and exercise caution. Pedestrians also have responsibilities — such as obeying traffic signals and avoiding sudden entry into the street — but drivers must always use reasonable care to prevent harm.

In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). If the accident involved a government vehicle or entity (such as a city bus), you must file a government claim within six months. It's critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence and meet all deadlines.

Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence system, meaning your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% responsible for the accident, you could still recover 80% of your total damages. Our attorneys work diligently to minimize fault attributed to you and maximize your recovery.

Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills (current and future), lost wages and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability or disfigurement, and wrongful death damages (for surviving family members). At Ginny Walia Law Offices, we work with medical and financial experts to calculate the full value of your losses.

If the driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still recover damages through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage or other potential sources. Our firm will explore all available avenues, including third-party liability and government claims, to ensure you receive fair compensation.

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free, and we can review your situation confidentially to determine the best path forward.