Anaheim Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Accidents involving motor vehicles can be incredibly damaging, but accidents involving pedestrians almost always result in severe injuries to the pedestrian. When a pedestrian accident occurs, victims may be left wondering about their legal options if the accident occurred due to the negligent actions of a driver or some other cause. An experienced Anaheim pedestrian accident attorney can help you determine your options for legal recourse after a damaging pedestrian accident.

Why Do I Need an Anaheim Pedestrian Accident Attorney?

Personal injury law is the branch of civil law that manages claims for damages between private parties. While this may sound straightforward, there are countless legal statutes and other variables that can come into play and complicate a seemingly straightforward personal injury claim. When it comes to pedestrian accidents, the most important issue is to establish fault for the incident.

Your Anaheim pedestrian accident lawyer can help you identify the party or parties responsible for your damages. This typically involves finding traffic camera data, CCTV data from the scene of the accident, and eyewitness testimony that establishes fault. Your attorney works closely with you to develop the most comprehensive claim possible and help you secure a fair financial recovery.

At Easton & Easton, our team has more than 30 years of experience handling complex personal injury claims, including Anaheim pedestrian accident cases. Our law firm represents high earners who have suffered financial hardship from a personal injury. To date, we have secured more than $2 billion for our clients through focused representation and litigation.*

We know how damaging and painful these accidents can be for everyone involved, so you can expect responsive and compassionate legal representation when you choose our firm to represent your case.

Establishing Negligence for a Pedestrian Accident in Anaheim, CA

To succeed with a personal injury claim, you must not only identify the party responsible for your damages but also prove that they are fully responsible for those damages. This requires proving they did not uphold a reasonable standard of care for the given situation. When a pedestrian accident happens due to a driver’s inattention, recklessness, or inebriation, the driver is negligent in their duty to operate their vehicle with reasonable care.

Once the plaintiff establishes a breached duty of care, the plaintiff and their Anaheim pedestrian accident attorney must then prove the full extent of the plaintiff’s damages, and they must also show that those damages would not have occurred but for the defendant’s negligence.

Establishing negligence can be a complex process, depending on the specifics of the pedestrian accident case.

It’s generally safe for any injured pedestrian to expect solid grounds for legal recourse if another driver hits them. Drivers have a duty of care to respect pedestrians near the street and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at all times, even when pedestrians cross the street illegally.

California’s pure comparative negligence law may dictate that a pedestrian who crossed illegally will be partially liable for their claimed damages. However, there is still a greater duty of care for drivers to prevent accidents with pedestrians.

Potential Damages in Your Anaheim Pedestrian Accident Claim

If you or a loved one sustained a serious injury in Anaheim, CA, while walking as a pedestrian, and you believe another driver is fully to blame for the damages you’ve sustained, it’s essential to meet with an Anaheim pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible.

Once you have addressed your immediate medical needs, obtain a report of your treatment from your doctor. That way, you have a documented piece of evidence showing you required immediate care following your accident. This medical report will be very useful in a future personal injury claim for your pedestrian accident in Anaheim.

Your pedestrian accident likely generated a police report. Once you are able to do so, you should obtain a copy of this police report. This will be yet another invaluable document as you start building your personal injury claim.

Your Anaheim pedestrian accident lawyer can use these two reports, all of the available physical evidence from the case, and additional records and documentation to prove the full scope of your damages. Some of the damages you might be able to claim in a pedestrian accident claim include:

• Compensation for all current and future medical expenses. For example, if you need multiple surgeries to correct the injuries you sustained, you may not be able to undergo all of them immediately.
  You may require extensive physical therapy or other rehabilitative treatment for several months or even years. Your attorney can help you collect the evidence you will need to recover compensation for all your medical expenses through your claim.
• Pain and suffering compensation. California state law allows a plaintiff to recover compensation for intangible losses like emotional suffering, psychological trauma, and physical pain.
• Property repair/replacement compensation. In the event your pedestrian accident also resulted in physical damage to your personal property, you can claim the costs of repairing and replacing that property through your claim.
• Lost income. If you suffered catastrophic injuries that left you unable to work for an extended time, you can claim compensation for the income you lost during that time. You may also be able to secure compensation for lost future earnings if you cannot work at all following your pedestrian accident.

It is also possible to receive punitive damages for a personal injury case when a defendant’s behavior exceeded the scope of typical negligence. For example, if a pedestrian accident occurred due to the defendant’s drunk driving or while the defendant was engaged in other criminal activity, the defendant will likely face punitive damages in addition to criminal penalties.

Consider punitive damages a way for the California civil court system to discourage similar behavior in the future. Your Anaheim pedestrian accident attorney can help you determine whether punitive damages may come into play in your case. California law imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

In 2024, Orange County saw 140 serious pedestrian injuries and a pedestrian fatality rate of 2.22 per 100,000 residents. These incidents can occur along East Santa Ana Street, South Harbor Boulevard, and elsewhere in Anaheim when drivers fail to pay attention to the road or violate state traffic laws.

Distracted driving is a common cause of collisions involving pedestrians. In 2024, 315,167 people were injured by distracted drivers. Texting, fiddling with the navigation system, and other distracting behaviors can cause preventable collisions. In the aftermath of a pedestrian collision, an investigation may find that the driver was using their phone in the moments leading up to the collision.

Speeding is another cause of pedestrian collisions in Orange County. When drivers fail to stay below the speed limit or drive faster than they should, given their proximity to pedestrians, they can cause accidents that leave innocent bystanders with serious bodily injury. Speeding can also contribute to the severity of a collision and potentially cause catastrophic injuries.

Intersections present additional risks because drivers may be watching for other vehicles instead of pedestrians who have the right of way. Motorists making left or right turns sometimes focus on gaps in traffic while failing to see someone already in the crosswalk.

Other crashes occur when drivers fail to yield, ignore traffic signals, back out of parking lots without checking for pedestrians, or have their view blocked by parked vehicles, landscaping, or poor lighting. Determining the cause of a pedestrian accident often requires reviewing police reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, dashcam recordings, cell phone records, and other evidence to identify whether negligence contributed to the collision.

How to Avoid Being Injured in a Pedestrian Accident

Although pedestrians cannot control the actions of motorists, they can take steps to reduce their risk of being involved in a collision. Whenever possible, cross at marked crosswalks or intersections where drivers are more likely to expect pedestrians. Obey traffic signals meant for pedestrians, look both ways before entering the roadway, and continue watching vehicles even after you receive a walk signal.

Whenever you are near moving vehicles, do not look at your phone. Remain vigilant, especially during periods of low visibility. Headphones can leave you unaware of approaching traffic. Drivers should also be cautious around pedestrians or crosswalks. Slowing down near schools, parks, shopping centers, and residential neighborhoods can all help prevent a collision.

When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, drivers are required to remain at the scene of the collision. Any party involved in the collision should call 911 to report the crash so paramedics can arrive and assess the pedestrian for injuries. When someone is harmed due to a negligent driver, they may be eligible for compensation.

Why You Should Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Whether you were struck in Anaheim Hills, Platinum Triangle, or another area in Anaheim, your top priority should be to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer to manage your pedestrian accident claim. Before anyone can pursue compensation, they would need to establish fault by gathering evidence. This could include collecting photos, videos, the police report, eyewitness statements, and other key pieces of documentation.

An attorney can help with that process. An Anaheim pedestrian accident attorney can also:

• Explain the pedestrian accident claim process
• Rely on their knowledge of pedestrian accident laws to establish fault
• Pursue compensation while you recover
• Advocate for a fair settlement when negotiating with insurers
• Pursue an injury claim in court when needed
• Inform you about the benefits and potential setbacks of accepting a settlement

Injury lawyers play a key role in shaping the outcome of injury claims. If you are falsely accused of contributing to the accident, your lawyer can push back by focusing on the evidence and the harm you suffered. Similarly, they can contest attempts by the at-fault party’s insurer to downplay the severity of your injuries. Legal representation provides focused advocacy that can lead to fair compensation following a pedestrian injury.

Client Reviews and Past Settlements

Easton & Easton’s commitment to client service is reflected in the firm’s 4.8-star average rating. Below are a few testimonials from clients who entrusted the firm with their personal injury cases.**

“Easton & Easton helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had been in an accident and was in a lot of pain. I was scared and anxious about the entire process but Brian, Gabe, and the team were great and helped get me a settlement that was more than I expected. I definitely recommend them!” — Jennifer P.

“Working with Easton & Easton after my car accident was one of the best decisions I made. Attorney William Seidlitz was phenomenal — he was patient, knowledgeable, and always available to answer my questions and ease my concerns. He handled all the complicated legal details so I could focus on healing, and he pushed relentlessly to get me the maximum compensation possible.” — Blake V.

“Easton and Easton group was very helpful and supportive during my case. They were very accommodating and got things done. I never felt that I was overlooked. I always got the feeling that they would get things done for me and my case. I had all positive thoughts and feelings about Easton and Easton.” — Ricardo M.

Easton & Easton has recovered more than $2 billion for injury victims. The following are examples of past settlements and verdicts obtained by the firm.*

• $7,000,000: An intoxicated college student fell two stories after sneaking onto an auditorium roof.
• $1,100,000: This was a confidential settlement involving a boating accident in federal waters.
• $530,000: This was recovered for a DUI rollover automobile accident.

FAQs

What Is the Average Settlement for a Pedestrian Hit by a Car in California?

The final settlement amount reached in any injury claim varies significantly, so there is no readily available “average” to cite. Settlements vary widely because injured pedestrians can suffer a wide range of injuries. Some may recover within several weeks, while others may be left contending with life-altering disabilities.

Injury lawyers play a key role in protecting their clients’ eligibility to pursue compensation by gathering evidence and advocating for the people they represent at every step of the process.

How Long Does a Pedestrian Accident Settlement Take?

The length of a pedestrian accident claim largely depends on the complexity of the injury, the degree of negligence on the part of the at-fault driver, and the willingness of an insurance company to accept liability and offer a fair settlement. Straightforward claims that do not involve disputed liability can lead to a settlement offer within several weeks, while a complex case that involves a civil court claim could easily take several months or even well over a year to resolve.

What Should I Do After Being Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian?

After being hit by a car, you should take steps to protect your safety by calling 911. When paramedics arrive, let them examine you for injuries. If you do not require urgent transportation to a hospital, schedule a comprehensive examination as soon as possible with your primary care physician and follow their recovery guidelines closely. Do not rush yourself when recovering. Your settlement can cover your missed time from work and address other losses.

What Is a Common Cause of Pedestrian Accidents in California?

Distracted driving is a common cause of pedestrian accidents in California. This form of driver negligence led to 315,167 injuries in 2024, and drivers can become distracted when looking at their phones or eating while driving. In fact, a 2025 survey found that 71.4% of Californians believe texting is the main cause of distracted driving in the state.

Speak to Our Trusted Anaheim Pedestrian Accident Attorney

If you need to take legal action after a pedestrian accident, it is imperative to work with a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible to start building your claim. Easton & Easton can provide the compassionate and comprehensive legal representation you need after a serious accident. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team and find out how we can help you recover from your pedestrian accident.

*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different. Results depend on the facts of each case.

**Client testimonials reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee a similar outcome.