Santa Ana Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, the dedicated Santa Ana pedestrian accident lawyers from Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer can help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.

Contact us today and schedule a free consultation online or by calling our Santa Ana law offices at (714) 701-8149.

How a Santa Ana Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Benefits Your Case
Compensation Available for Pedestrian Accident Victims
Who Is at Fault in a Pedestrian Accident?
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Also at Fault?
What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Santa Ana
When to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in California

Protecting Injured Pedestrians Across Orange County

If you were struck by a motor vehicle in downtown, near Main St., Bristol St., around Edinger Ave., or any other areas in Santa Ana or Orange County, seeking legal representation is a crucial step toward justice and recovery, and you deserve a law firm that knows how to win pedestrian accident cases.

At Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer, our mission is to protect the rights of injured pedestrians and get them the compensation they deserve after suffering injuries due to another party’s negligence.

Our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys fight to hold negligent drivers and other at-fault parties accountable by helping clients achieve financial recovery and ensuring they can reclaim stability after their traumatic ordeal.

Why You Need a Santa Ana Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

A pedestrian involved in a motor vehicle accident is among the most vulnerable victims in any crash. Even at low speeds, impact forces can cause catastrophic injuries—broken bones, brain trauma, spinal damage, and permanent disability.

Insurance companies often move quickly to minimize most personal injury claims or blame the victims for not being more cautious. Without proper legal representation, injured victims risk their pedestrian accident claim being rejected or accepting settlements far below the actual value.

Our pedestrian accident attorneys provide quality legal representation, handling every aspect of personal injury cases—from the initial consultation to the ongoing investigation to final settlement. Some benefits we offer include:

Affordable Representation: Free consultation + ZERO upfront legal fees
Aggressive negotiations: With insurance companies or pursue litigation if they refuse to offer fair compensation
Calculate the complete value of your losses: Encompassing medical care, future medical treatment, and emotional pain and suffering
Collaborate with accident reconstruction experts: Establish how the driver caused the crash and how the collision resulted in serious injuries
Conduct thorough independent investigations: Gathering witness statements, surveillance footage, and police reports
Identify all responsible parties: Proving rideshare companies, commercial fleets, or local government entities may be liable for the pedestrian accident
Personalized Service: Tailor-made representation, treating every case with the unique attention it deserves

From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, our dedicated legal team ensures that victims and their families receive the support and guidance they need to successfully navigate the complex legal process and assist in pursuing maximum compensation.

Compensation Available for Pedestrian Accident Victims

Injured pedestrians often face extensive medical treatment, months of physical therapy, and time away from work, ultimately affecting their financial, physical, and mental well-being. As a result, California law allows victims to pursue compensation for all economic damages (monetary losses) and non-economic damages (intangible losses) caused by a negligent driver.

The importance of financial recovery cannot be overstated, as it helps accident victims reclaim stability and move forward after suffering significant hardships. Compensatory damages and other losses for a pedestrian accident may include:

Medical Treatment

Current medical bills, like hospital stays or ER bills
Future medical bills, like long-term care needs
Medical costs for surgeries
Medical equipment and assistive devices
Prescription medications
Rehabilitation and physical therapy

Lost Wages

Income that could not be earned while recovering
Loss of future earning potential due to disability-related job changes
Permanent injury, preventing the return to work

Other Financial Losses

Property damage, like a destroyed phone or other personal property
Repair or replacement of personal items
Cost of transportation if incapable of driving due to injuries

Pain and Suffering

Disfigurement or permanent impairment
Emotional distress
Loss of consortium or companionship
Loss of enjoyment of life
Physical pain
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety

Wrongful Death Damages

Personal injury lawyers are experienced in handling pedestrian accident claims, including wrongful death cases, in the event of a fatal accident.

If a pedestrian accident tragically results in death, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim to recover funeral costs, financial losses, loss of consortium, and other damages.

At Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer, our legal team works with financial and medical experts to ensure compensation reflects the full scope of losses—both now and in the future.

How to Prove Liability in a Pedestrian Accident

Often, pedestrian accidents are the direct result of driver negligence, such as failing to yield, ignoring traffic signals, or driving while distracted, and they can happen anywhere—from busy intersections in Downtown Santa Ana, in school zones, or near hectic freeway offramps when exiting the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5).

Determining liability is one of the most important aspects of any personal injury case. To hold the at-fault party responsible, the following four elements of negligence must be proven.

Duty of Care: The defendant owed the plaintiff (pedestrian accident victim) a legal obligation to act reasonably and avoid causing harm.
Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to uphold the duty of care by failing to act reasonably (e.g., speeding, texting while driving, failing to yield).
Causation: The defendant’s actions directly or indirectly caused the accident that led to the plaintiff’s injuries.
Damages: The plaintiff suffered damages (measurable harm), such as physical injuries, medical expenses, mental anguish, or financial losses, as a result of the accident.

Ultimately, it must be demonstrated that the other party’s negligence caused harm. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can streamline this legal process and maximize the outcome.

Comparative Negligence Laws and Shared Fault

Under California comparative negligence laws, a pedestrian can still seek compensation for an accident even when partially at fault. However, compensation will be proportionally reduced based on the pedestrian’s assigned percentage of fault.

For example, a pedestrian walking outside a crosswalk to cross the street may be found partially responsible for causing their own accident. Consequently, if $50,000 in compensation is initially awarded, and the pedestrian is found to be 10% at fault, $45,000 will be awarded.

In cases of comparative fault, insurance companies often try to place as much blame as possible on the plaintiff to minimize their payout. This is why legal representation is crucial. Our Santa Ana pedestrian accident attorneys can assess the facts of your case and prove liability by demonstrating the defendant’s responsibility through evidence and legal theories.

Right-of-Way Laws in California Pedestrian Accidents

Under California law, motorists are required to yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections, as they have “the right of way.”

A driver who hits a pedestrian while failing to obey this rule has likely breached their legal duty of care, which can form the basis of a successful personal injury claim.

However, insurance companies may try to blame the pedestrian or argue that the accident victim contributed to the accident by not watching for oncoming traffic.

Updates to California’s Jaywalking Laws

According to the Safe Transportation and Research Education Center at the University of California, Berkeley, jaywalking is a primary cause of pedestrian accidents. Other frequent causes include drivers violating a pedestrian’s right of way, driving at an unsafe speed, or making improper turns.

While jaywalking has been decriminalized in California, pedestrians can be held liable if an accident occurs, as they are still expected to exercise caution when crossing outside of a crosswalk.

If there is any immediate danger of a collision, pedestrians are not allowed to jaywalk. If they assume that drivers will slow down or see them, pedestrians could be held liable for their own injuries.

Common Causes of Orange County Pedestrian Accidents

Working with a skilled local personal injury attorney from our firm strengthens the case, as we understand the unique circumstances on Santa Ana’s roadways, including which intersections are the most troublesome and the traffic patterns that often contribute to collisions, which are factors that out-of-area firms usually overlook.

Pedestrian accidents can occur in various locations, including parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, and crosswalks, both on public streets and private property. As a result, the causes of these accidents may vary, but the overall commonality often relates back to driver negligence. Examples of these common causes include:

Distracted or Inattentive Driving

Texting, checking GPS, eating, or engaging in an activity behind the wheel that pulls a driver’s attention away from the road increases the likelihood of causing a very preventable accident.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

The roadways of Bristol St., Downtown Main St., and 17th St. are packed with reckless drivers who engage in road rage by cutting off other cars or exceeding the speed limit. This behavior not only reduces reaction time to avoid an accident but also increases the chances of losing control and swerving into a pedestrian’s path.

Failure to Yield at Crosswalks

Many local intersections have marked crosswalks, yet some drivers fail to follow the right-of-way laws. Not coming to a complete stop, rolling through stop signs or red lights, and not yielding to pedestrians crossing are often hit by turning vehicles or those rushing through yellow lights.

Impaired Driving

Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs account for a significant percentage of pedestrian fatalities throughout Southern California. Drunk driving or impaired driving (regardless of prescribed or illegal drugs) affects judgment and reaction times, increasing the risk of a serious accident.

Poor Visibility and Unsafe Road Design

Some Santa Ana neighborhoods suffer from inadequate lighting, faded crosswalk markings, or poorly timed signals. In these cases, liability for a pedestrian accident may be shared by a negligent driver and the municipality, such as the City of Santa Ana, if the municipality is responsible for maintaining safe infrastructure.

Understanding the root cause of most Santa Ana pedestrian accidents is pivotal in proving negligence and recovering compensation. Our personal injury law firm investigates every detail of the cases we take on to uncover the truth.

Where Santa Ana Pedestrian Accidents Happen

As one of Orange County’s most densely populated cities, Santa Ana experiences significant pedestrian safety challenges. The city currently ranks 5th among California’s 13 most populous cities for pedestrian fatalities and injuries.

Additionally, local data and city reports show that Santa Ana experiences a high number of pedestrian accidents in several key areas, such as:

Bristol St. Corridor from West 17th St. in Santa Ana to Sunflower Ave., including the South Coast Metro area
Civic Center Plaza
Downtown Santa Ana, near 4th St. and Main St.
MacArthur Blvd., approaching John Wayne Airport
School Zones, notably Santa Ana High School, Century High School, and Valley High School
Transit Stops along Harbor Blvd.

Such high-traffic areas require increased caution from all motorists. Unfortunately, many fail to uphold their duty of care to operate their vehicles in a responsible manner.

What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Santa Ana

After a crash, confusion and pain can make it difficult to know what steps to take. Taking the following measures immediately following a pedestrian accident will be pivotal to maintaining your health and strengthening your personal injury claim:

Call 911 – Contact the Santa Ana Police Department to file a police report, and request medical attention if necessary.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately – Some serious injuries don’t show immediate or apparent symptoms. Therefore, seek an evaluation from a medical professional even if you feel “okay,” and retain all medical records.
Document Everything – Take photos of the accident scene, visible injuries, and any vehicle damage. Also, collect the names and contact information from witnesses.
Minimize Communication – Avoid engaging with the other party involved, limiting interaction to the exchange of contact and insurance information. Also, do not speak with their insurance company, as they might try to induce an admission of fault from you.
Contact a Santa Ana Pedestrian Accident Lawyer – An experienced personal injury attorney can advise on the best legal options and protect you from the insurance company’s tactics. The sooner you secure legal representation, the greater your chances of a fair settlement.

Even seemingly “minor” injuries can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues. Our pedestrian accident attorneys work with medical specialists to document the full extent of your harm for settlement negotiations or trial. Additionally, we will handle every step of the legal proceedings, so you can focus entirely on your recovery.

Medical Treatment After a Pedestrian Accident

Many serious injuries, such as internal bleeding, concussions, or soft tissue damage, may not be immediately visible but can have long-term consequences if left untreated.

Seeking medical attention not only helps prevent further complications but also creates a clear record of sustained injuries, which is vital for any personal injury lawsuit.

Pedestrian accident attorneys often work closely with medical professionals to ensure that clients receive comprehensive care and that all medical expenses are thoroughly documented. This is crucial when pursuing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and future medical costs resulting from severe injuries.

Medical treatment is not only important for your recovery but also for protecting your legal rights after a pedestrian accident.

Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accident Claims

Under California’s statute of limitations, Santa Ana personal injury lawsuits are generally required to be filed within two years from the date of injury. Missing the filing period may result in the case being dismissed and losing the right to seek compensation.

There are also specific regulations when a governmental entity (like a city-maintained sidewalk or poorly marked crosswalk) is involved in a pedestrian accident. If a government entity (like the City of Santa Ana) is involved, a claim must be filed within six months.

Contact our pedestrian accident attorneys in Santa Ana as soon as possible to meet all filing requirements.

Common Pedestrian Injuries

Recent data indicated that nearly 10,850 people suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident. That same study showed that in a statewide survey, 16% of car drivers witnessed pedestrians stepping off the curb without checking for traffic, and 18% not using a crosswalk.

Pedestrian accidents often result in severe injuries, requiring extensive medical care. Some of the most common pedestrian accident injuries include:

Amputation
Broken bones and fractures
Emotional distress
Head injuries
Internal bleeding
Lacerations, cuts, and road rash
Nerve damage
Organ damage
Pierced organs
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Torn Ligaments
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Wrongful death

The recovery process can be extensive, painful, and costly. This is why expert legal counsel is so crucial for Santa Ana personal injury cases. This ensures you can recover fair compensation for lost wages, property damage, and current and future medical expenses.

Santa Ana Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Our personal injury attorneys use this local data to illustrate negligence and strengthen cases before insurance adjusters and juries.

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reports that Santa Ana ranks among the higher-risk cities for pedestrian injuries and fatalities in its population category.
Crashes often happen in the evening when drivers are tired and visibility is poor. Approximately 45% of serious and fatal pedestrian injuries occur between 6:00 PM and midnight, when reduced light and darkness contribute to the danger.
Non-traffic incidents occur on non-traffic ways such as driveways, parking lots, or other private property. The latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that, in 2023, 7,314 pedestrians died in traffic crashes occurring on public roads.

Frequently Asked Questions About Orange County Pedestrian Accidents

What if I was hit by a hit-and-run driver?

You may still recover compensation in a hit-and-run accident. If the driver fled, experienced pedestrian accident lawyers can coordinate with law enforcement to identify the at-fault party. Additionally, an uninsured motorist claim may be filed through your own insurance company (auto or homeowners insurance).

Can I file a personal injury claim if I wasn’t in a crosswalk?

Yes. California’s comparative negligence law allows victims to pursue compensation, even if they were partially responsible for the accident. However, compensation will be reduced by the victim’s assigned percentage of fault.

Do I have to talk to the at-fault driver’s insurance company?

No. You should not speak to the other party’s insurance company–especially if your pedestrian accident attorney is not present. It is one of the biggest mistakes in the personal injury claims process to make, as anything shared can negatively impact a pedestrian accident claim. Instead, refer any insurance adjusters or representatives to your attorney to handle all communication.

How long will my pedestrian accident case take?

Seemingly minor cases where injuries are not debilitating or when the other party does not deny fault can be resolved within months. However, pedestrian accident cases involving severe injury or disputed liability cases can take up to a year or more to resolve.

What if the accident involved a rideshare or delivery vehicle?

Rideshare and delivery companies like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash typically carry substantial insurance policies. Our Santa Ana pedestrian accident lawyers are skilled at investigating whether the rideshare driver was actively working at the time of the collision. This is a critical step that allows us to pursue the rideshare company’s $1 million liability policy, in addition to exploring all other available insurance coverages.

How Our Orange County Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Will Help You Recover Compensation

Choosing the right lawyer can significantly change the outcome of a pedestrian accident case. Our personal injury law firm provides full-service representation backed by years of experience, handling complex personal injury claims resulting in serious injuries and other damages . When working with our pedestrian accident lawyers, you receive:

Personalized attention: Every client works directly with our legal team.
No upfront fees: We work on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win.
Local knowledge: We are familiar with Santa Ana’s roads and traffic patterns, making it easier to identify liability.
Bilingual communication: Spanish-speaking staff available for clients to clearly explain case status and progress.
Trial-ready advocacy: We prepare each case as if it will go to court to ensure an optimal outcome.

Without guidance from knowledgeable pedestrian accident lawyers, injured victims risk receiving significantly less compensation than they are entitled to—or nothing at all. We treat every client with compassion and respect while aggressively pursuing justice against negligent drivers and their insurance companies.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Santa Ana Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

Victims of pedestrian accidents in Santa Ana are urged to seek immediate legal counsel. Prompt and strategic action is crucial for both physical and financial recovery. Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer is prepared to provide comprehensive legal guidance and advocate for your rights.

You don’t have to face this alone. Let our experienced Santa Ana pedestrian accident lawyers fight for the fair compensation you deserve. We operate on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay no upfront legal fees and owe us nothing unless we deliver a case win.

Address: 1418 N. Main St Suite 200-A Santa Ana, CA 92701

Phone Number: (714) 701-8149

Other Practice Areas Our California Personal Injury Law Firm Handles

Schedule your free case evaluation today to learn how we can maximize your case. We are available 24/7. Contact us for your free consultation now. Jeff’s got you, and his award-winning law firm can assist in the following practice areas:

Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer’s Other Locations

Our pedestrian accident attorneys are ready to discuss your personal injury case. Schedule a free consultation with one of our offices in Southern California today.

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