Were you injured while walking in Orange County, California? An Orange County pedestrian accident lawyer at Fielding Law can help you understand your rights and seek compensation when someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. Contact us at 833.88.SHARK today for a free consultation to discuss your accident and legal options.
Pedestrian accidents can leave people facing serious injuries, medical bills, and time away from work. Unlike drivers, pedestrians have little protection when a vehicle strikes them. Our legal team can investigate the crash, identify responsible parties, and help you understand the steps involved in a personal injury claim.
Why Choose Fielding Law for Help After a Pedestrian Accident in Orange County, CA?
At Fielding Law, we combine focused legal representation with personal attention. Our Orange County personal injury lawyers take a careful, strategic approach to pedestrian accident claims while providing steady, compassionate guidance. We understand how a serious injury can affect your health, finances, and daily life.
Clients in Orange County, CA, who work with our boutique personal injury firm benefit from:
- 33 years of combined legal experience
- $98 million recovered for past clients
- Calm, compassionate communication throughout your case
- Clear communication and honest legal guidance
- Focused investigation and strategic case preparation
- Compassionate support during recovery
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Our Orange County pedestrian accident attorneys can review your case and explain your options. Contact us for a free consultation.
What Is My Orange County Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
There is no fixed amount of compensation for a pedestrian accident. Each claim depends on the injuries, financial losses, available evidence, and other facts of the crash.
Factors that may affect your case’s value include:
- How seriously you were injured
- The cost of your medical treatment
- Whether you need future medical care
- How much work you missed
- Whether your injuries affect your ability to earn money
- The pain and emotional distress you experienced
- Whether you have lasting disabilities
- Evidence showing who caused the accident
- Available insurance coverage
For example, someone who recovers from a broken arm may have different losses than someone who suffers a spinal cord injury. Our Orange County personal injury attorneys can review medical records, employment information, and other evidence to help evaluate your claim.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Orange County Pedestrian Accident Victims?
If another party’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be able to recover compensatory damages. These damages address both financial losses and the personal effects of the accident.
Economic damages may include:
- Emergency medical care and hospital bills
- Surgery, medication, and physical therapy
- Future medical treatment
- Medical equipment and home assistance
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning ability
- Other accident-related expenses
Non-economic damages may include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Effects on personal relationships
Unlike medical bills, non-economic losses do not have a set dollar amount. Their value depends on how the injuries affect your life.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Orange County?
Fielding Law handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means the attorney’s fee is generally a percentage of the compensation recovered rather than an hourly charge.
Clients do not pay attorney’s fees upfront. If no compensation is recovered, clients generally do not owe attorney’s fees. However, clients may still be responsible for certain case expenses, depending on the written fee agreement. Our attorneys can explain these terms during a free consultation.
The agreement should explain the fee percentage, responsibility for expenses, and how any recovery will be distributed. During your free consultation, our attorneys can answer questions about the cost of representation.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Pedestrian Accident in California?
Yes. California follows a pure comparative fault system. This means you may still recover compensation even if your own actions partly caused the accident. However, your damages may be reduced by your share of responsibility.
For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found 20% responsible, your compensation would generally be reduced to $80,000.
Under California Vehicle Code § 21950, drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing within marked crosswalks or unmarked crosswalks at intersections, except where otherwise provided by law. Pedestrians must also use reasonable care for their safety. Drivers remain responsible for taking reasonable steps to avoid endangering pedestrians.
An insurance company may argue that you crossed outside a crosswalk, ignored a signal, or stepped into traffic. These claims do not automatically establish fault. The facts of the accident must be examined.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Orange County, California
A pedestrian can suffer serious injuries when struck by a vehicle. The force of the impact may throw the person onto the road or against another object.
Common injuries include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Hip and pelvic injuries
- Torn ligaments and joint damage
- Internal bleeding
- Nerve injuries
- Cuts, bruises, and road rash
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
Some injuries heal with treatment, while others cause long-term pain or disability. A serious injury may affect your ability to walk, work, drive, or care for your family.
Seeking medical care promptly can protect your health and create records showing the nature of your injuries.
What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents in California?
Many pedestrian accidents happen because drivers fail to pay attention or follow traffic rules. Even a brief mistake can cause serious harm when someone is crossing the street.
Common causes include:
- Distracted driving, including texting
- Speeding
- Failing to yield at crosswalks
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Driving under the influence
- Turning without checking for pedestrians
- Backing out of parking spaces without looking
- Driving too fast for road or weather conditions
- Failing to watch for pedestrians near schools
- Ignoring traffic signs or signals
California law requires drivers to use reasonable care around pedestrians. Under Vehicle Code § 21950, drivers approaching pedestrians in crosswalks must take reasonable steps to protect their safety.
A careful investigation can help determine whether a driver’s actions caused the collision.
Who Can Be Liable for a Pedestrian Accident in Orange County?
The driver who struck you may be responsible if their negligence caused the accident. However, other people or organizations may also share responsibility.
Depending on the circumstances, liable parties may include:
- A careless driver
- An employer whose employee caused the crash while working
- Another driver who contributed to the accident
- A vehicle manufacturer responsible for a defective component
- A public entity responsible for a dangerous road condition, when the legal requirements for liability are met
California law generally requires people to use ordinary care to avoid causing injuries through their actions.
Determining responsibility may involve reviewing police reports, witness statements, traffic footage, and vehicle information. Our attorneys can investigate whether more than one party contributed to the accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury. Missing the applicable deadline can prevent you from pursuing compensation in court.
Different rules may apply in certain situations. For example, claims against a government entity generally require an administrative claim to be presented within six months under California Government Code § 911.2. Additional deadlines apply after the agency responds.
Because these time limits can vary, it is important to seek legal advice soon after an accident. Acting early can also help preserve evidence before it disappears.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
The steps you take after a pedestrian accident can affect your health and your ability to document what happened. Your safety should always come first.
If possible, take these steps:
- Call 911 if anyone is injured or emergency assistance is needed.
- Move to a safe location away from traffic if you can do so without worsening your injuries.
- Seek medical attention, even if your symptoms seem minor.
- Report the accident to the police.
- Get the driver’s contact and insurance information.
- Take pictures of the scene, the vehicle, the crosswalk, and any visible injuries.
- Ask witnesses for their contact information.
- Save medical bills, receipts, and records of missed work.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations.
- Speak with a pedestrian accident attorney before accepting a final settlement.
Some injuries may not become obvious immediately. Continuing medical care and keeping accurate records can help show how the accident has affected your health and daily life.
Contact Our Orange County Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A pedestrian accident can create challenges that last long after the collision. You may be dealing with medical appointments, lost income, physical pain, and questions about who should pay for your losses.
At Fielding Law, we understand that every injury affects people differently. Our attorneys take time to listen, review the facts, and explain the legal options available to you. We can investigate the crash, communicate with insurance companies, and help you pursue compensation supported by the evidence.
Contact us today at 833.88.SHARK to schedule a free consultation with an Orange County pedestrian accident attorney. Our team can answer your questions and help you understand what to do next.