Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in California
When a car hits a person on foot, the injuries are often severe — and the insurance company still tries to blame the pedestrian. We handle California pedestrian accident claims so you can focus on recovering, not on fighting for what you're owed.
Were you hurt in a pedestrian accident?
Start with a quick, confidential case review — about two minutes, no cost, no obligation.
What to do after a pedestrian accident in California
If you were hit by a car while walking, the steps taken afterward matter. Call 911 so there is an official report and get medical care right away — pedestrian injuries are often serious, and some, like internal or head injuries, are not obvious at first. If you are able, photograph the scene, the vehicle, the crosswalk or signals, and your injuries, and get names and numbers for any witnesses. Be careful about giving a recorded statement to the driver's insurance company before you have spoken with an attorney, and keep everything — bills, photos, and every message with the insurer.
How we handle your California pedestrian accident claim
You focus on healing; we handle the rest. We gather the crash report, your medical records, and the evidence, deal with the driver's insurer so you don't have to, and build the strongest version of your claim before demanding a fair recovery. Drivers owe people on foot a high degree of care, and we hold them to it — while pushing back on the reflex to blame the pedestrian. Every pedestrian accident matter starts with a free, confidential review. Se habla español.
Why work with Woods Law Group
Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to pay you as little as possible, and they often argue the pedestrian 'came out of nowhere.' Having your own attorney levels the field. We take these cases on a contingency basis for clients we represent, which means no fee unless we recover for you. You get straight answers, real communication, and a firm that treats your recovery as the priority.
How much is my pedestrian accident case worth? →
Common pedestrian accident cases we handle in California
- Crosswalk Accidents
- Left Turn Pedestrian
- Backing Vehicle Accidents
- Unmarked Crosswalk Accidents
- Distracted Driver Accidents
- Hit And Run Pedestrian
- Jaywalking And Fault
- Child Pedestrian Accidents
- Uninsured Motorist Claims
- Settlement Value
Dealing with the insurance company
California deadlines and fault rules
In California, the deadline to file most pedestrian injury claims is generally two years from the date of the crash, and a much shorter deadline — often about six months — applies before you can sue a government agency, such as a crash involving a city vehicle or a dangerous crosswalk. California follows a pure comparative-fault rule, so you may still recover even if you were partly at fault, with your share deducted — and the Freedom to Walk Act changed how jaywalking is treated. These deadlines are strict; do not wait.
- Filing deadlines (statute of limitations)
- Comparative fault in California
- Claims against a government agency
- Evidence that builds your claim
California injury law: deadlines, fault and caps
California injury law shapes your case in a few specific ways worth knowing early.
- Filing deadline: You generally have two years from the date of the injury to file — and only about six months to put a government entity on notice before you can sue.
- Fault: California follows pure comparative negligence, so you can still recover even if you were partly — or mostly — at fault, with your recovery reduced by your share of the blame.
- Damage caps: An ordinary California injury case has no cap on damages; medical-malpractice claims are the main exception.
- Uninsured drivers: California sets minimum auto-insurance limits and uninsured/underinsured-motorist rules that affect what coverage is available.
Free tools and guides
- Pedestrian accident FAQs
- Settlement & deadline calculators
- Free downloadable guides
- Checklists
- Calculators & estimators
- Side-by-side comparisons
- Questions & answers
- Articles & explainers
Articles
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in California?
Deadlines vary by state and by who is involved, and they can be short — especially if a government vehicle or dangerous crosswalk was involved. Because a missed deadline can end a claim entirely, the safest step is a free review right away.
The driver says I stepped out in front of them. Does that end my claim?
Not necessarily. Drivers owe pedestrians a high degree of care, and insurers routinely claim a pedestrian 'came out of nowhere.' That assertion has to be proven, and even if you were partly at fault, you may still recover under a comparative-fault rule.
How much is my California pedestrian accident case worth?
It depends on your injuries, your medical treatment, lost income, and other factors — and it is exactly what our attorney evaluates for free. Pedestrian injuries are often severe, which can affect value, but we will not quote a number sight unseen.
How much does a pedestrian accident lawyer cost?
We handle pedestrian accident claims on a contingency basis for cases we take, which means no fee unless we recover for you, and the initial review is always free. Cost should never stop you from finding out where you stand.
Ready to find out where you stand?
The case review takes about two minutes. It's free and confidential, with no obligation.