California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
California Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Pedestrians in California face many risks whenever they walk near motor vehicle traffic. When a pedestrian accident happens, the victim is likely to suffer life-changing injuries, and they will probably have lots of difficult legal questions about how they can recover. If you or a loved one recently experienced such an accident, you need to consult a California pedestrian accident lawyer as quickly as possible to discuss your options.
Representing Injured Pedestrians in California
The attorneys at Easton & Easton can provide comprehensive and results-driven legal counsel when you must pursue a civil claim for damages following a pedestrian accident in California. If a driver hit you or a family member, you have the right to pursue compensation for any and all resulting damages. Our team will work diligently to ensure maximum recovery in the shortest possible timeframe.
Your case will begin with proving liability for the accident. You will need to identify the driver who hit you and prove how they caused the accident, and then you will need to show the full extent of your resulting damages. If any complex questions pertaining to liability arise, or if you are unsure of the full extent of the damages you can claim, the right California personal injury attorney will be an invaluable asset as you pursue accountability and compensation for your losses.
Proving Liability for a Pedestrian Accident
Before you can claim any compensation for a pedestrian accident or any other type of vehicle accident in California, you must establish fault. This means identifying the driver who caused the accident and proving how they caused it. They may have been negligent in some way, such as driving while distracted, speeding, or committing a moving violation. It is also possible that your accident was the result of illegal misconduct, such as drunk driving.
Your California pedestrian accident lawyer can help you gather the evidence you will need to prove liability. This could include traffic camera footage, vehicle computer data, photos of the scene of the accident, and testimony from eyewitnesses. Once you have the evidence necessary to prove liability for the incident, you can start working toward obtaining compensation for your damages.
Recovering From Your Pedestrian Accident in California
A pedestrian accident is a type of vehicle accident, and California law requires every driver to have auto insurance that includes bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage. When a driver causes an accident, their insurance can go toward paying for the resulting damages. Your attorney will be an invaluable asset when it comes to navigating the insurance case filing process and resolving any unexpected issues you encounter.
Most insurance companies will push back against claims in whatever way they can, often looking for ways to shift blame for the accident onto the injured claimant. They will also attempt to use a claimant’s own words against them, so it is vital to choose your words carefully when speaking with any insurance company representative.
An experienced California pedestrian accident lawyer can ensure your claim is handled appropriately and that you receive a fair settlement.
Building Your Personal Injury Suit for a Pedestrian Accident
Once you have exhausted available recovery options through insurance, you can file a personal injury suit against the defendant who caused your pedestrian accident. California’s personal injury laws allow injured plaintiffs to seek full repayment of the financial losses they suffered due to a defendant’s negligence or illegal misconduct, and they also have the right to claim compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced.
When a motor vehicle driver hits a pedestrian, the victim may suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and soft tissue damage. They may require not only immediate emergency care but also long-term rehabilitative treatment in order to recover as much as possible. Some will develop permanent disabilities from these accidents. An injured plaintiff can hold the defendant accountable for immediate and future damages resulting from the accident.
Success with your personal injury case in California requires clear proof of liability for your damages, and you must be ready to show that your claimed damages were solely the result of the defendant’s actions and did not occur due to any other cause. You have a time limit for building your personal injury case, and the evidence you may need to prove fault may not be available for very long. It’s important to connect with legal counsel as quickly as possible after your accident.
What to Expect From Your California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
The right legal team can have a tremendous positive influence on the outcome of your case as well as your experience throughout all of your legal proceedings. You can rely on your California pedestrian accident lawyer to gather the evidence necessary to prove the fault for the accident, and they can also uncover every channel of compensation for you to ensure the fullest possible recovery.
Your case may be complex, and you could face difficult questions concerning liability for the accident, disputes with insurance carriers, and challenges when it comes to assessing the full extent of your claimable damages. Additionally, if you must file a personal injury suit to secure compensation for your losses, you may be able to settle the case privately, or you may be forced to resolve the case through litigation.
Easton & Easton is prepared to provide the legal representation you need, no matter what your case requires. We have proven experience successfully representing injured clients throughout California in all kinds of accident cases, including pedestrian accident cases. We can help you prepare an effective civil suit and develop a plan aimed at maximizing your recovery. We will do everything we can to shorten the time you must wait to secure compensation for your losses.
Our firm has a strong record of successful personal injury representation throughout California. We know the challenges that pedestrian accident victims face when they attempt to prove fault for their injuries and recover the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. With our team’s assistance, you can rest assured that you will have dedicated legal advocates working diligently on every aspect of your case.
“PEDESTRIAN HIT BY A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WHILE WALKING IN THE CROSSWALK
Easton & Easton recently acquired $1,000,000 for a client who had suffered a lower back injury when a commercial van failed to yield to our client as he was walking within a marked crosswalk.
Despite the defendant’s insurance company initially denying liability due to their insured’s false statement, we were able to convince them that their insured was 100% at fault for causing the accident.
As a result of this accident, our client was thrown through the air onto the asphalt, causing him to suffer significant lower back and shoulder injuries. He underwent several pain management injections before undergoing a Lumbar Fusion Surgery. After demonstrating the significant effect that this accident had on our client’s life and convincing the defendant’s insurance company to accept liability, we were able to settle this matter for $1,000,000.”
FAQs
Can a Pedestrian Be at Fault for Their Accident in California?
Yes, it is possible for a pedestrian to bear fault for their accident in California. While all drivers have a duty of care to avoid hitting pedestrians at all times, pedestrians also have a duty of care to only cross streets at designated crosswalks and to follow crossing signals. If a pedestrian is found partially liable for their accident, they will be assigned a fault percentage and will have this percentage deducted from their case award under the comparative fault rule.
How Much Compensation Can You Claim for a Pedestrian Accident?
The amount of compensation you can claim for a pedestrian accident will depend on the extent and severity of your damages. After proving liability for your accident, you can hold the at-fault driver accountable for your medical expenses, future medical treatment costs, lost wages, and lost earning power if your accident caused a permanent disability that impacted your ability to work. You can also claim compensation for pain and suffering.
How Is Pain and Suffering Compensation Calculated in California?
In California, pain and suffering compensation can be calculated based on the overall severity of the plaintiff’s injury, how long it will take for them to recover, and the extent of any long-term or permanent harm they suffered because of the accident. Generally, the more serious the plaintiff’s injuries, the more they are likely to secure in pain and suffering compensation, and this may form the bulk of an injured plaintiff’s total recovery.
Why Should I Hire a California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
You should hire a California pedestrian accident lawyer because you are significantly more likely to win your case and more likely to maximize your total compensation with their help. The right attorney can help you navigate the auto insurance claim filing process, build a cohesive personal injury suit, and resolve your case efficiently. You are more likely to maximize your compensation and receive your compensation in a shorter timeframe with their assistance.
What Does It Cost to Hire a California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
The cost of hiring a California pedestrian accident lawyer will be a percentage of your case award when you choose Easton & Easton as your legal counsel. We accept all personal injury cases with a contingency fee agreement. Under this agreement, our client pays no upfront legal fees, and if we are unable to obtain compensation for them, they pay nothing. If we win their case, our fee is a percentage of the total amount recovered.
Speak with Our Skilled California Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
The team at Easton & Easton is ready to help you and your family recover from a pedestrian accident in California. We have helped many past clients navigate difficult personal injury cases, and we are prepared to leverage this experience for you. If you believe you have grounds for legal recourse after a driver has hit you or a loved one, contact our team today and schedule a consultation with a California pedestrian accident lawyer about your recovery.
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Easton & Easton has been recognized by TopVerdict.com Top 10 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement in Los Angeles for 2025, for the case Bicyclist v. Inattentive Driver — recognized more than 75 times by TopVerdict.com over the past 5 years — including fifty-eight #1 recognitions, and a recognition that arrives in the firm’s 35th anniversary year.
Easton & Easton holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau — the highest rating available. Trust is earned. We've earned it.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton was voted #1 in 2026 (People's Choice Award). This recognition means the most to us — because it comes from the community we serve. Voted #1 in 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026 — four #1 wins, including three years in a row
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton were selected to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 — an invitation-only organization recognizing the nation's premier trial attorneys. Selection is based on case results, leadership, and reputation. When you need attorneys who are ready for the courtroom, you want a team that's already proven they belong there.
All five partners of Easton & Easton — Doug, Brian, Matt, Travis, and Gabe — were selected to Best Lawyers in America® 2027. This is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Selection is based entirely on peer review, representing the consensus opinion among leading lawyers in the community. When other attorneys are asked who they trust, they name us.
Our $4.5M settlement in Dump Truck Operator v. Equipment Rental Co. has been recognized as #1 in California for 2025 in two categories: • #1 Paraplegia Settlement in California — 2025 • #1 Rollover Accident Settlement in California — 2025
Our $4.5M settlement in Dump Truck Operator v. Equipment Rental Co. has been recognized as #1 in California for 2025 in two categories: • #1 Paraplegia Settlement in California — 2025 • #1 Rollover Accident Settlement in California — 2025
We were recently honored for our efforts in securing a $32,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as the #1 Bicycle Accident Settlement in California in 2024 by TopVerdict.com.
Easton & Easton was named a Tier 1 firm in Southern California by U.S. News & World Report — the highest ranking a law firm can achieve. Selection is based on client feedback, peer reputation, and professional excellence. When independent evaluators rank the best, we're at the top.
Gabe Mendoza, Alexandro Garza, Billy Seidlitz, and Aaron Sinfield were selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars — honoring the top 2.5% of attorneys 40 or younger in California. Three attorneys — John, Billy, and Aaron — were selected for the first time in 2026. The next generation of Easton & Easton is already among the best in the state.
Easton & Easton was voted "Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" by readers of the Los Angeles Times in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Three years in a row — chosen by the people we serve
Doug, Brian, Matt, Travis, and Saul were selected to Super Lawyers — a distinction earned by only 5% of California attorneys. Selection is based on peer nominations, independent research, and professional achievement. Doug Easton has been selected for 19 consecutive years. Matt Easton was also named to the Top 50 Orange County Super Lawyers for 2026. When you hire Easton & Easton, you're hiring attorneys in the top 5%.
Easton & Easton was recently honored for securing a $26,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as a Top 10 Personal Injury Settlement in California in 2023 by TopVerdict.com.
Easton & Easton received the "People Love Us On Yelp" award in 2016 due to exceptional client satisfaction reviews.Our clients don't just hire us — they recommend us.
Easton & Easton was recently honored for securing a $32,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as one of the Top 20 Personal Injury Settlements in the entire United States in 2024 by TopVerdict.com.
Brian, Matt, and Travis Easton are lifetime members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — a distinction held by less than 1% of U.S. attorneys. Membership requires securing a verdict or settlement of $2 million or more. When you hire Easton & Easton, you're hiring proven results - because Results Matter.
Doug Easton has held the "AV Preeminent" Rating for over 30 years, and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The AV Preeminent rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, based on the legal profession's oldest peer review rating system — dating back to 1887. When your peers have trusted your ability and integrity for over three decades, that says everything.
We were recently honored for securing a $26,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as a the #1 Personal Injury Settlement in Los Angeles County in 2023 by TopVerdict.com.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a proven track record of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board. Membership isn't given — it's earned in the courtroom.
Travis Easton, Gabe Mendoza, and Brenda Kocaj were selected to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 — an invitation-only honor recognizing the nation's top young trial attorneys. At Easton & Easton, experience and ambition work side by side.
Easton & Easton was honored for securing a $20,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Settlements in the entire United States in 2019 by TopVerdict.com.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 — based on skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews. A perfect score. No room for higher.
Easton & Easton was honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018-2020 (each year the voting took place).
We were recently honored for our efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California in 2016 by TopVerdict.com.
20+ prestigious awards and recognitions. Exposed to the harshest scrutiny. Earning the highest honors. Recognized by every major legal organization — year after year.
Awards/recognitions noted are from organizations recognized within the legal profession as bona fide.
No purchase was required for selection. Selection methodologies available upon request.
*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
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