California Pedestrian Injury Advocates
California Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
California leads the nation in pedestrian fatalities—over 1,000 every year. When a negligent driver strikes someone on foot, the injuries are catastrophic and the insurance tactics are ruthless. We hold drivers accountable and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Cases We Handle
Pedestrian Accident Types
Pedestrians have zero protection against a moving vehicle. Every type of pedestrian crash demands aggressive legal representation.
Crosswalk & Intersection Collisions
Drivers who fail to yield at marked and unmarked crosswalks, run red lights, or make turns without checking for pedestrians. This includes right turns on red, left-turning vehicles, and drivers who blow through stop signs — all violations of California Vehicle Code Section 21950 that gives pedestrians the right of way.
Distracted & DUI Drivers
Drivers who are texting, impaired by alcohol or drugs, or otherwise distracted cause a devastating share of pedestrian crashes. Speeding compounds the danger — at 40 mph, a pedestrian struck by a car has over an 80% chance of death. These cases often support punitive damages on top of full compensation.
Hit by a Driver Who Fled the Scene?
In California, roughly 1 in 4 pedestrian fatalities involves a hit-and-run driver. These cases are still recoverable — you can file a claim through your own uninsured motorist coverage, and our investigators work with police to identify fleeing drivers using surveillance footage, witness statements, and vehicle debris. Time is critical: evidence disappears fast.
Learn about our hit-and-run case approachFull Scope of Representation
Additional Pedestrian Cases We Handle
Parking Lot Accidents
Drivers backing out or cutting through lots striking pedestrians loading groceries or walking to their vehicles.
School Zone Injuries
Children hit by drivers violating school zone speed limits or ignoring crossing guards at pickup and drop-off zones.
Sidewalk & Curb Crashes
Vehicles jumping curbs or mounting sidewalks, striking pedestrians in areas where they should be completely safe.
Backing-Up Accidents
Vehicles reversing in driveways, parking areas, and blind spots—particularly dangerous for small children and elderly pedestrians.
Pedestrian Wrongful Death
Fatal pedestrian crashes that leave families devastated. We pursue wrongful death claims to hold negligent drivers fully accountable.
Government Liability Cases
Dangerous road designs, missing crosswalks, broken signals, or inadequate lighting that make intersections deadly for pedestrians.
Critical Differences
Why Pedestrian Cases Need Specialized Attorneys
Catastrophic Injury Experience
Pedestrian accidents produce the most severe injuries in personal injury law. We work with medical specialists, life-care planners, and economists to document the true lifetime cost of your injuries.
Accident Reconstruction
We retain investigators to reconstruct pedestrian crashes using surveillance footage, traffic signal data, skid mark analysis, and vehicle event data recorders to prove exactly what happened.
Trial-Ready Advocacy
Insurance companies know which firms go to trial. Our 50-year courtroom track record means insurers offer our clients fair settlements—or face a jury that sympathizes with injured pedestrians.
Pedestrian Injury Litigation
Standard Approach vs. Scranton Strategy
| Legal Factor | The Insurance Approach | The Scranton Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Injury Valuation | "Minor soft tissue only, quick payout" ✗ | Full medical evaluation including future care needs ✓ |
| Fault Assessment | "Pedestrian was jaywalking, claim denied" ✗ | Accident reconstruction to prove driver negligence ✓ |
| Medical Records | "Sign this blanket release immediately" ✗ | Strategic disclosure protecting your privacy ✓ |
| Settlement Timing | "Take this low offer before you see a doctor" ✗ | Wait for maximum medical improvement, then negotiate ✓ |
| Long-Term Damages | "We only cover current medical bills" ✗ | Life-care plans documenting decades of future costs ✓ |
Injured as a Pedestrian?
What to Do Right Now
Call 911 Immediately
Get emergency medical help and create a police report. Even if you feel okay, adrenaline can mask serious injuries like internal bleeding or head trauma.
Document Everything
If you're able, photograph the scene, the vehicle, your injuries, traffic signals, and any skid marks. Get the driver's license, plate, and insurance info.
Collect Witnesses
Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the accident. Witness testimony is critical, especially when the driver claims you were at fault.
Seek Medical Attention
Go to the ER or urgent care even if injuries seem minor. Traumatic brain injuries and internal injuries may not show symptoms right away.
Don't Speak to Insurers
The driver's insurance company will call quickly. They want a recorded statement to use against you. Politely decline until you speak with an attorney.
Call Us Before Evidence Disappears
Surveillance footage gets deleted. Witnesses forget details. We begin investigating your case the same day: 800-707-0707
Understanding Pedestrian Accident Claims in California
If you're asking "can I sue after being hit by a car as a pedestrian?" the answer is almost always yes. California law strongly protects pedestrians, and drivers have a legal duty to yield the right of way in crosswalks under Vehicle Code Section 21950. When a driver violates that duty and injures you, they are liable for your damages.
How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
One of the most common questions we hear is "what is the average settlement for a pedestrian hit by a car?" The honest answer is that there is no single average—every case is different. Minor injuries like sprains or fractures may settle in the range of $15,000 to $50,000, while catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage regularly result in settlements exceeding $500,000 to well over $1 million. California places no cap on compensatory damages, meaning your recovery is based on the actual impact the accident has had on your life.
Can I Get Compensation if I Wasn't in a Crosswalk?
People often ask "do I have a case if I was jaywalking?" California's pure comparative negligence system means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If the driver was speeding, texting, or impaired, those factors typically outweigh any pedestrian fault. Insurance companies aggressively argue pedestrian fault to reduce payouts—having an experienced attorney protects you from this tactic.
Why Are Pedestrian Accidents So Much More Dangerous?
When a 4,000-pound vehicle strikes an unprotected person, the results are devastating. Pedestrians absorb the full force of impact with no seatbelt, airbag, or metal frame to protect them. At just 30 mph, a pedestrian struck by a car has a roughly 40% chance of death. This is why pedestrian injury claims tend to involve traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, internal organ injuries, and—too often—wrongful death.
What Damages Can I Recover?
California law allows injured pedestrians to recover comprehensive damages including all past and future medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and in cases involving gross negligence or DUI drivers, punitive damages designed to punish the at-fault party.
California's statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If a government entity is involved—such as a city-maintained road with a missing crosswalk or malfunctioning signal—you must file an administrative claim within just six months. Evidence degrades quickly, so the sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your case will be.
A Personal Message
"Pedestrians don't have airbags. They have us."
"Every pedestrian accident case is personal to our team because we know what's at stake. These aren't fender benders—they're life-altering injuries suffered by people who were simply walking to work, crossing the street with their kids, or jogging through their neighborhood. Insurance companies will try to minimize what happened to you. We never will. Our job is to make sure your injuries, your pain, and your future are fully accounted for."— Chris Scranton, CEO & Trial Advocate
The Scranton Process
What to Expect When You Hire Us
Free Expert Case Audit
You call us at 800-707-0707. We review the details of your accident, explain your legal options, and tell you honestly what your case is worth. No cost, no obligation.
Immediate Investigation
Our investigators secure surveillance footage, photograph the accident scene, obtain the police report, and preserve all time-sensitive evidence before it disappears.
Medical Care Coordination
We connect you with top specialists for your injuries and ensure every diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis is thoroughly documented. Many treat on a lien basis—you pay nothing out of pocket.
Build Your Maximum Claim
We compile medical records, retain accident reconstruction experts, calculate current and future damages, and develop a life-care plan that reflects the true cost of your injuries.
Aggressive Negotiation or Litigation
Once you reach maximum medical improvement, we demand the full value of your claim. Our $1B+ track record gives insurance adjusters every reason to take our demands seriously.
Maximum Recovery & Payment
We resolve all medical liens and paperwork, ensuring you receive your recovery check as quickly as possible. You pay nothing unless we win.
Expert Guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Serving Northern California
Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Near You
From our Concord headquarters, we represent pedestrian accident victims throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California. California averages over 1,000 pedestrian fatalities per year—the highest of any state—and our region sees some of the most dangerous corridors.
High-risk pedestrian corridors: International Boulevard (Oakland), Willow Pass Road (Concord), Sonoma Boulevard (Vallejo), Broadway Plaza (Walnut Creek), and arterial streets throughout Contra Costa and Alameda Counties
The Scranton Advantage
Why Choose Us for Your Pedestrian Case
Main Office: 2450 Stanwell Drive, Concord, CA 94520
By Appointment: Oakland, CA • Sacramento, CA
Injured as a Pedestrian?
Don't let insurance companies minimize your injuries. Call us today for a free evaluation.
Free Case Evaluation100% Confidential. Trial-Ready. Available 24/7.