Practice Areas · Auto Accidents

Pedestrian Accidents

San Diego Auto Accidents

Pedestrian Accidents in San Diego

A pedestrian struck by a vehicle has nothing between them and thousands of pounds of moving steel, so these crashes often cause severe injuries, broken bones, head trauma, and worse. Drivers who are distracted, speeding, or ignoring a crosswalk put people walking through San Diego's neighborhoods and beach towns at real risk.

Under California law, drivers owe pedestrians a high degree of care, especially in and near crosswalks. But insurers still try to argue the pedestrian 'came out of nowhere' or was jaywalking to reduce what they pay. The facts, the crosswalk, the signal timing, the driver's speed, matter a great deal.

Crudo Law investigates pedestrian crashes carefully, documents the injuries and the scene, and pursues full compensation from the driver's insurance.

2 years

CA injury filing deadline

Free

Case consultation

Up-front, most cases

Full value

What we pursue

By the Numbers

Pedestrian Accidents, by the numbers

1,1061

Pedestrians killed in California traffic crashes in 2023

27%1

Share of all California traffic deaths in 2023 that were pedestrians

14.1%2

How far 2023 U.S. pedestrian deaths remained above 2019 pre-pandemic levels

2 years3

Deadline to file a California personal-injury lawsuit from the date of the crash

California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1.

Do You Have a Case?

Signs you may have a claim

Even if you were not in a marked crosswalk, you may still have a strong claim. Let us look at the facts first.

✓Struck by a vehicle while walking or crossing
✓A distracted, speeding, or careless driver was involved
✓Facing serious injuries and medical bills
✓The driver's insurer is blaming you

The Process

How your case moves forward

Here is how a pedestrian accident claim typically moves forward.

Free consultation: We review the crash and your injuries and explain your rights, at no cost.
Investigation: We gather the police report, any video, and the details of the crossing.
Demand & negotiation: We present your losses and negotiate for full value with the insurer.
Settlement or trial: We settle for fair value, or file suit when necessary.

Frequently asked

Common questions

The driver says I was jaywalking. Do I still have a case?+

Possibly, yes. California uses comparative fault, so even if you share some responsibility you can still recover, with your share simply reducing the award. Drivers also owe pedestrians a high degree of care.

What if the driver fled the scene?+

A hit-and-run doesn't end your claim. Your own uninsured-motorist coverage may apply, and we work to identify the driver. Call us and we'll explain the options.

How long do I have to file?+

California generally allows two years from the date of the crash. Claims against a public entity can have far shorter deadlines, so act quickly.

What does it cost to talk to you?+

Nothing. The consultation is free. Call (858) 622-7280.

Related practice areas

Sources

UC Berkeley SafeTREC, 2025 SafeTREC Traffic Safety Facts: Pedestrian Safety (2025). https://safetrec.berkeley.edu/2025-safetrec-traffic-safety-facts-pedestrian-safety
Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2023 Preliminary Data (2024). https://www.ghsa.org/resource-hub/pedestrian-fatalities-2023-data
California Legislative Information, Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 (2024). https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&sectionNum=335.1

Get help now

Ready to discuss your case?

Tell us what happened and Joe Crudo will personally review your situation, free and confidential.

Call (858) 622-7280 Free Consultation