Being a pedestrian can feel like a risk in a city of busy streets and hurried drivers. The screech of tires and the force of impact can change your life forever in one terrifying second. One moment you are crossing the street, and the next you are faced with shocking, painful injuries, a chaotic accident scene, and a future that is suddenly uncertain. Being struck by a two-ton vehicle is a traumatic experience that no one should have to endure.
In the aftermath, you may feel confused, overwhelmed, and even blamed for what happened. The driver’s insurance company will call you immediately. Their goal is to protect their profits by paying you as little as possible, not helping you. They will look for reasons to deny your claim or argue that the accident was your fault.
You need to know this: in California, the law is most often on the side of the pedestrian. At The Zinn Law Firm, a trusted San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer, we are fierce advocates for the rights of injured pedestrians. We understand the law, know the insurance companies' tactics, and are here to fight for you.
Standing Up for Injured Pedestrians: Why Choose The Zinn Law Firm
After being hit by a car, you need more than just a lawyer. You need a champion who will stand up for you, fight back against unfair blame, and demand the full justice you deserve. The Zinn Law Firm operates on a simple, powerful principle: We care, commit, and win. We apply this principle to every pedestrian accident case we handle.
- We Care: We understand the physical pain and emotional trauma you are experiencing. We know that being treated like a faceless claim number by an insurance company only adds insult to injury. Our attorneys, Carter Zinn and Justin Powers, provide personal, compassionate support to every client. We listen to your story and stand by you in your time of need.
- We Commit: We are committed to shouldering the legal burdens so you can focus on healing. When you hire us, we oversee all communication with the insurance companies. We launch a thorough investigation into the accident, gather evidence to build a powerful case, and fight relentlessly for the compensation you need to recover and move forward.
- We Win: We have a long and proven history of winning for our clients in serious injury cases. We are not afraid to take on the biggest insurance companies, and our reputation as skilled trial lawyers gives our clients a significant advantage. Insurance companies know we are always prepared to go to court, often leading to better client settlement offers.
We fight back against the unfair tactics insurance companies use to blame pedestrians. We stand up for your rights and work to hold negligent drivers accountable. We will travel to you to discuss your case, and you pay no fees unless we win. Your fight is our fight. Call us now at (415) 292-4100 for a free consultation with an experienced San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer.
You Have Rights: Understanding California's Pedestrian Laws
Many people mislead injured pedestrians into believing they have no rights, especially if they weren’t in a marked crosswalk. This is simply not true. California law places a significant duty of care on motor vehicle drivers to protect vulnerable people on the road.
The most important law for pedestrians to know is California Vehicle Code § 21950. This law states that drivers must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. This is a fundamental traffic law in our state. Unless a sign specifically prohibits crossing, an "unmarked crosswalk" exists at virtually every intersection where streets meet at approximately right angles. This means drivers must legally stop and let you cross at an intersection, even if there are no painted lines on the pavement.
The law is designed to protect people on foot, defined as "pedestrians" under California law, and includes those walking and individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility-assistive devices. When a driver violates this duty and causes an injury, the law holds them legally and financially responsible for the harm they cause.
Hit Outside a Crosswalk: Who is at Fault Under SF Law?
One of the most common and unfair tactics insurance companies use is to blame the pedestrian for the accident. They will often seize on the fact that you were crossing the street outside of a crosswalk to deny your claim. They want you to believe that if you were "jaywalking," you have no case. We actively debunk this myth.
While pedestrians have a legal duty to yield the right-of-way to vehicles when crossing a road outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk, that is not the end of the story. The same law states that this does not relieve a driver of their duty to exercise "due care" for the safety of any pedestrian on a roadway.
What does "due care" mean? Drivers must always be aware of their surroundings, travel safely in the right conditions, and be prepared to slow down or stop to avoid hitting someone. A driver cannot simply ignore a person on the road and hit them just because that person is not in a crosswalk.
Do not let an insurance adjuster tell you that you have no claim. The Zinn Law Firm fights against these victim-blaming arguments and holds careless drivers accountable for their actions.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in San Francisco
Pedestrian accidents are rarely true "accidents." They are almost always the result of a driver making a negligent or reckless choice. These choices can have deadly consequences in a city as dense as San Francisco.
Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents we see include:
- Distracted Driving: This is a major cause of pedestrian accidents. Drivers texting, talking on the phone, adjusting their GPS, or otherwise not paying full attention to the road are a danger to everyone. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), thousands of people are killed each year in distracted driving crashes.
- Failure to Yield on Turns: Many accidents happen when drivers make left or right turns at intersections. They often look for other cars and fail to see a pedestrian with the right-of-way in the crosswalk.
- Speeding: Driving too fast for the conditions dramatically reduces a driver’s ability to stop in time to avoid a collision. The higher the speed, the more catastrophic the pedestrian injuries will be.
- Running Red Lights and Stop Signs: A driver who ignores a traffic signal or sign blatantly disregards the safety of others and can easily cause a tragic accident.
- Driving Under the Influence: A driver who uses alcohol or drugs and impairs their judgment poses a significant threat to pedestrians.
- Poor Visibility: While drivers must be more cautious at night or in bad weather, many fail to do so, leading to accidents where they claim they "didn't see" the pedestrian.
Securing Maximum Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries in San Francisco
When a metal vehicle weighing thousands of pounds strikes a human body, the injuries are almost always severe and life-altering. A pedestrian has no protection in a collision, so these accidents often result in catastrophic harm.
At The Zinn Law Firm, we focus on serious injury cases because we understand the immense financial and personal costs. We fight to secure maximum compensation for victims suffering from:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): An impact to the head can cause permanent brain damage, leading to cognitive problems, memory loss, and personality changes.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, changing a person’s life forever.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: Pedestrians often suffer multiple complex fractures, particularly to the legs, hips, arms, and pelvis, which may require multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
- Internal Organ Damage: The force of impact can cause severe damage to internal organs, leading to internal bleeding and other life-threatening conditions.
- Severe Road Rash and Lacerations: These injuries can lead to permanent scarring, disfigurement, and a high risk of infection.
We demand compensation to cover all of your losses, including:
- All Past and Future Medical Expenses: From ambulance rides and emergency surgeries to long-term rehabilitation and in-home care.
- Lost Income and Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If you cannot work, we fight for the income you have lost and the earnings you will have earned if not for the injury.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the immense physical pain, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life you have endured.
High-Risk Intersections for Pedestrians in San Francisco
While a pedestrian accident can happen anywhere, some areas of San Francisco are notoriously dangerous. The city has tried to improve safety through its Vision Zero SF initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities. However, many intersections remain high-risk. Data from the city has repeatedly identified a "High Injury Network," which comprises 13 percent of city streets where over 75 percent of severe and fatal traffic injuries occur.
According to reports and data from sources like the San Francisco Chronicle, some of the most dangerous corridors and intersections for pedestrians have included:
- The Tenderloin neighborhood
- Areas along Market Street and South of Market (SoMa)
- Intersections such as 4th and King Streets, and 16th and Potrero
Drivers have a responsibility to be extra cautious in these known high-danger areas. When they fail to do so, our firm is here to hold them accountable.
Protecting Your Rights After a San Francisco Pedestrian Accident
The chaos of the accident scene may be over, but now you face the daunting reality of your injuries, mounting medical bills, and calls from insurance adjusters. The steps you take in the following hours, days, and weeks are vital for your physical recovery and your ability to secure fair compensation.
Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan Without Fail
Your top priority is your health. Follow all medical advice, attend every follow-up appointment, attend all physical therapy sessions, and fill every prescription. Doing so helps your recovery and creates a clear medical record that documents the severity of your injuries. Insurance companies will look for any excuse to claim you weren’t hurt, and skipping appointments gives them the necessary ammunition.
Keep a File of All Accident-Related Expenses
Start a folder or box and keep everything related to the accident. This includes all medical bills, receipts for co-pays and prescriptions, and records of your lost income from work. Also, keep track of out-of-pocket costs, like paying for transportation to doctor’s appointments or buying medical equipment like crutches. Every dollar adds up, and this file is proof of the financial cost of your injury.
Document Your Daily Experience in a Journal
This is a powerful tool for your case. Each day, take a few minutes to write down your pain level, how your injuries are affecting your sleep, and the daily activities you can no longer do or that are now difficult. Note any feelings of frustration, anxiety, or sadness. This journal becomes a detailed record of your pain and suffering, a significant part of your claim.
Be Careful on Social Media
Assume the insurance company is watching you online. Do not post photos or comments about the accident or your daily activities. They can and will take anything you post out of context to argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim. The best way to protect your case is to stay off social media until it’s resolved.
Do Not Speak to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
An insurance adjuster may call you, acting friendly and concerned. They are not your friend. Their job is to get you to say something that hurts your case or to pressure you into accepting a quick, low settlement before you even know the full extent of your injuries. You have no obligation to speak with them. Tell them your lawyer will contact them, and then hang up.
Call The Zinn Law Firm Immediately
This is the most important step you can take to protect your future. The law in California gives you a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit. Contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney immediately to preserve evidence, meet deadlines, and gain a powerful advocate from the start. We can handle the insurance company and the legal burdens, allowing you to focus on what matters most: getting better.
Contact a San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
You have been through a traumatic event. You suffered an injury, are in pain, and are facing an uncertain future. You do not have to go through this alone. The Zinn Law Firm stands up for you, fights for your rights, and secures the necessary resources to rebuild your life.
We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. We will listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we win your case. There is no risk in calling.
Protect your rights. Contact us today at (415) 292-4100 or fill out our online form to speak with a dedicated San Francisco personal injury attorney.