San Francisco’s busy streets, crowded intersections, and heavy pedestrian activity can create situations where serious accidents occur in an instant. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle may face significant injuries, mounting medical expenses, lost income, and uncertainty about what comes next. When an accident is caused by another party’s negligence, California law may provide options for seeking compensation.
Coopers LLP represents injured pedestrians and families throughout California, including San Francisco. Our attorneys handle pedestrian accident cases involving crosswalk collisions, intersection accidents, distracted driving, rideshare vehicles, commercial vehicles, and other incidents that can result in serious injury or wrongful death. We work with clients to evaluate their legal options and pursue claims against the parties that may be responsible.
Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in San Francisco, California
Pedestrian accident claims can involve complex questions about liability, insurance coverage, and the extent of an injured person’s damages. In some cases, multiple parties may share responsibility for the accident, including drivers, employers, government entities, or other third parties.
Coopers LLP represents pedestrians and families in injury and wrongful death claims throughout San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area. Our attorneys investigate the circumstances of the accident, gather evidence, communicate with insurance companies, and pursue potential damages available under California law. When appropriate, we also represent families pursuing wrongful death claims after a fatal pedestrian accident.
Common Types and Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in San Francisco
Pedestrian accidents can occur in many settings throughout San Francisco, including intersections, crosswalks, transit stops, parking areas, and other locations with heavy foot traffic. Common causes of pedestrian accidents may include:
- Failure to yield to pedestrians: Drivers may fail to stop for pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks, particularly while making turns at intersections.
- Distracted driving: Mobile phones, navigation systems, and other distractions can reduce a driver’s ability to notice pedestrians and react to changing conditions.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Higher vehicle speeds can increase stopping distances and may contribute to more severe injuries when a collision occurs.
- Parking lot and driveway accidents: Drivers entering or exiting parking spaces, garages, or driveways may not see pedestrians in their path.
- Rideshare, delivery, and commercial vehicle traffic: Frequent stops, tight schedules, and congested streets can create additional risks in areas with heavy pedestrian activity.
- Poor visibility conditions: Fog, nighttime driving, adverse weather, and obstructed sightlines may make it more difficult for drivers to see pedestrians.
Your Legal Rights After a Pedestrian Accident in California
California law allows injured pedestrians to pursue compensation when another party’s negligence contributes to an accident. Drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care and must follow traffic laws designed to protect pedestrians, including laws governing crosswalks, right-of-way, and safe driving behavior.
California also follows a pure comparative negligence system. This means an injured pedestrian may still be able to recover compensation even if they were partially responsible for the accident. However, any recovery may be reduced based on that person’s percentage of fault.
In many cases, California’s statute of limitations gives injured individuals two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Different deadlines may apply in certain situations, including claims involving government entities. A San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer can help you understand which deadlines and laws may apply to your situation.
Contact Coopers LLP After a Pedestrian Accident in San Francisco
Injured in a pedestrian accident in San Francisco? Contact Coopers LLP today to schedule a 100% free consultation. Our firm represents clients on a contingency-fee basis, which means you do not pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Our fee is typically a percentage of the recovery. In some circumstances, clients may be responsible for prevailing-party costs as provided by law.