If you or a loved one was struck by a vehicle while walking in San Francisco or anywhere in California, you need attorneys who understand both the severity of pedestrian injuries and the tactics insurance companies use to shift blame. At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, we focus exclusively on serious traffic-accident injuries so you can concentrate on healing while we pursue the full compensation California law allows.
Why Choose Sally Morin Law for Your San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Case
We are a five-star rated, all-female California personal injury firm that has represented seriously injured pedestrians since 1997. Our practice is limited to cases involving broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, injuries requiring hospitalization or surgery, and other life-changing harm.
Named pedestrian results include:
- $1,650,000 – Pedestrian struck in a San Francisco crosswalk by a vehicle whose autonomous braking features failed.
- $937,500 – Pedestrian claim against a San Francisco yellow-cab company after the client rejected a $65,000 offer.
- $700,000 – Pedestrian hit in a marked crosswalk by a distracted driver; recovery included primary limits plus umbrella coverage.
Fee promise: We work on a pure contingency fee. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We also negotiate medical liens downward so more of the recovery stays with you.
Notable California Pedestrian Accident Results
$1,650,000 – Pedestrian Hit by Vehicle with Autonomous Features
A visitor to San Francisco was crossing in a crosswalk with the right-of-way when a driver who had relied on autonomous braking struck him at high speed. The client sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, shattered pelvis, and ruptured knee. Settlement included policy limits plus additional excess and UIM funds.
$937,500 – Pedestrian vs. Yellow Cab
After rejecting a $65,000 offer, the client recovered $937,500 in a claim involving a San Francisco yellow-cab company.
$700,000 – Crosswalk Pedestrian Accident
A 62-year-old woman was struck in a marked San Francisco crosswalk by a distracted driver. Recovery included $500,000 primary limits plus $200,000 from umbrella coverage.
Key California Pedestrian Laws That Protect Victims
CVC § 21950 – Right-of-way at crosswalks
Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing in marked or unmarked crosswalks. This is one of the strongest statutory protections for pedestrians.
CVC § 21954 – Pedestrians outside crosswalks
Pedestrians crossing outside a crosswalk must yield to vehicles, but drivers still owe a duty of due care to every pedestrian on the roadway.
CVC § 21955 – Crossing between signalized intersections
Pedestrians are generally required to use crosswalks between adjacent signalized intersections. Even when a pedestrian is outside a crosswalk, the driver must still exercise due care.
CVC § 21951 – Passing a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian
Drivers may not overtake and pass a vehicle that has stopped to yield to a pedestrian.
CVC § 21963 – Blind pedestrians
Drivers must yield and take extra precautions for pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog.
Additional rules
- Pure comparative negligence applies; you may still recover even if partially at fault.
- Drivers always owe a duty of due care to pedestrians regardless of technical right-of-way arguments.
- SB 1107 (2025) raised minimum auto liability limits, but many drivers still carry only the minimum or none.
We use these statutes, scene evidence, witness statements, and, when available, camera footage to counter attempts to shift blame onto the pedestrian.
San Francisco & Bay Area Pedestrian Realities
San Francisco’s dense street grid, heavy vehicle and rideshare traffic, and high pedestrian volumes create elevated risk. The city’s Vision Zero High Injury Network shows that roughly 12–13% of street miles account for approximately 68–75% of severe and fatal traffic injuries. Many of those corridors are heavily used by people on foot.
Common high-risk scenarios we see include:
- Drivers failing to yield at marked and unmarked crosswalks
- Left-turn and right-turn conflicts at busy intersections
- Distracted or speeding drivers
- Nighttime or low-visibility conditions
- Vehicles backing out of driveways or parking spaces
- Hit-and-run collisions that leave the pedestrian without immediate aid
Crosswalk design, signal timing, sight lines, and parking configurations all affect liability and injury severity. Cases arising in San Francisco are typically filed in San Francisco Superior Court. East Bay, Peninsula, and South Bay collisions may be in the appropriate county superior court. Many injured pedestrians are transported to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital or other regional trauma centers.
How a Pedestrian Accident Claim Works & What To Do Now
Immediate steps after being hit by a vehicle
- Seek medical care immediately—even if injuries seem minor at first. Adrenaline and shock often mask serious harm.
- Call 911 and obtain a police report.
- Document the scene: photos of injuries, the vehicle, the crosswalk or roadway, traffic controls, and any cameras.
- Collect witness names and contact information.
- Avoid recorded statements to any insurance company without legal advice.
- Preserve clothing, shoes, and personal items that may have evidence of the impact.
- Contact an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer promptly.
Household UM/UIM coverage – critical for pedestrians without their own auto policy
Many pedestrians do not own a car and therefore do not have a personal auto policy. In those cases we look to:
- The at-fault driver’s liability insurance
- Any household UM/UIM coverage available through a family member’s policy (California often allows resident relatives to claim)
- Umbrella policies
- In hit-and-run situations, the UM provisions that treat the unidentified vehicle as uninsured
Identifying every available layer of coverage is one of the most important early steps we take.
What our firm handles
- Full investigation and evidence preservation
- Requests for traffic-camera, doorbell, or vehicle footage
- Complete medical documentation and future-care analysis
- Identification of all applicable insurance policies
- Negotiation of medical liens so you keep more of the recovery
- Litigation when a fair settlement cannot be reached
Typical timeline
Some claims resolve within a few months after medical treatment stabilizes. Cases involving catastrophic injuries, disputed liability, or multiple policies often take longer. We keep both the investigation and the insurance claim moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions – California Pedestrian Accidents
How much is my San Francisco pedestrian accident case worth?
Value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, future care, and the impact on daily life. We have secured pedestrian settlements ranging from six figures to $1.65 million in appropriate cases.
What should I do after being hit by a car while walking?
Get medical care, document the scene, obtain the police report, avoid recorded statements to insurers, and contact a pedestrian accident lawyer.
Can I recover if I was outside a crosswalk or partially at fault?
Yes. Drivers still owe a duty of due care, and California’s pure comparative negligence rules allow recovery reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
I don’t own a car. How do I access uninsured motorist coverage?
We examine whether any household member’s auto policy provides UM/UIM coverage that extends to you as a resident relative. This is a frequent recovery path for pedestrians.
What if the driver fled the scene?
You may still recover through uninsured motorist coverage. We also investigate to identify the driver whenever possible.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Most claims must be filed within two years (CCP § 335.1). Government claims generally require notice within six months.
What injuries are common in pedestrian accidents?
Traumatic brain injuries, fractures, spinal injuries, internal injuries, and significant soft-tissue damage are frequent because pedestrians have no vehicle protection.
Do you handle claims against rideshare or autonomous-feature vehicles?
Yes. We have recovered substantial amounts in both categories, including the $1.65 million
What Clients Say
Related Pedestrian Resources & Links
Contact a California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one was struck by a vehicle while walking—whether in a crosswalk, at an intersection, or elsewhere—speak with our team. We will explain your options, identify every available source of coverage (including household UM when applicable), and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Meet Our Team
Get the settlement you deserve
Since 1997, Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers have helped clients recover compensation for serious injuries from car, motorcycle, scooter accidents, and more. Contact our expert team for help with your California injury case.
Our Location
We serve clients throughout Oakland and the East Bay from our San Francisco headquarters.