Settlements for a pedestrian accident in San Francisco can range from a few thousand to millions of dollars. The value of your case depends on the nature of your injuries and damages, the quality of your legal representation, and more.
If you were hit by a car in San Francisco, you may be wondering what your legal options are. Do you seek a settlement through the insurance company? Do you need a pedestrian accident lawyer to file a lawsuit? These are all important questions that we will discuss in this blog.
A lawyer must conduct a comprehensive investigation in order to estimate the amount of money you can expect to recover from a car accident settlement. Unfortunately, some attorneys offer free settlement calculators to try and entice people to retain them. This, in our view, is unethical and unfair to people who have just been through a traumatic event.
The truth is, each case is unique and case value depends on a wide variety of factors. These may include:
The San Francisco injury lawyers at Wisner Baum have handled cases for pedestrian accident victims that culminated in settlements in the tens of thousands to several million dollars. In one of our cases that led to a $15 million settlement, our client suffered catastrophic injuries and filed a lawsuit after being hit by a commercial vehicle in California.
While this example does not represent the average, pedestrian accidents can lead to significant claims for damages. Why? Pedestrians are vulnerable to fractures, lacerations, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even death when they are hit by a car or other vehicle. For accidents in San Francisco, California law allows for the recovery of economic and non-economic damages, which includes reimbursement for medical treatment, lost wages, as well as compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life. We will go into more detail on these claims for damages below.
To summarize, the only way to determine the potential value of your pedestrian accident case is to have your case evaluated by an injury attorney with experience in pedestrian accident litigation. An attorney will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your case and provide an estimate of the damages you may be eligible to receive.
California law provides protection for pedestrians in many car-related accidents, even if they were partially at fault. Remember, pedestrians in California do not always have the automatic right of way. For instance, if a pedestrian enters the street in an unmarked crosswalk or engages in jaywalking, they may not be entitled to the right of way, and the driver may not be entirely liable.
In such scenarios, California's comparative negligence law becomes a key factor. This law enables an injured pedestrian who shares partial fault in the accident to file a lawsuit and potentially recover damages from the driver. For instance, if the pedestrian bears 30% of the fault for the accident, they can still pursue a claim, but the potential damages awarded may be reduced by 30% compared to a situation where the driver is deemed 100% responsible.
When a pedestrian holds partial responsibility for the accident, it is crucial to seek advice from a pedestrian accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can guide the pedestrian through the legal process, ensuring protection of their rights.
Proving liability in a pedestrian accident case can be a complex process, but there are several key steps to establish who was at fault for the accident:
In a pedestrian accident lawsuit in California, several types of damages may be available to the plaintiff. Damages refer to the monetary compensation that you may be entitled to receive as a result of the injuries and losses you suffered in the accident. The specific damages that can be sought in San Francisco pedestrian accidents include:
It is important to note that damages awarded in a pedestrian accident lawsuit may vary depending on the unique facts and circumstances of each case. To give yourself and your family the best chance at justice and maximum compensation, we recommend you consult with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in San Francisco who can review the specific details of the accident and provide tailored guidance on the damages that may be available.
While it is not mandatory to hire a local San Francisco lawyer for your pedestrian injury case, hiring a local attorney has some advantages. These may include:
With all of this said, your search for a lawyer should not be limited to the city you live in. We believe it is essential to find a competent and experienced attorney who has proven results handling cases similar to yours, regardless of their location. So, while hiring a local lawyer near you can be beneficial, we do not think it should be the sole determining factor. Conduct thorough research, consider recommendations from friends, read client reviews, and review their track record before making a decision on a lawyer.
The San Francisco pedestrian injury attorneys at Wisner Baum are conveniently located in Greenbrae just off the 101 Freeway. Since 1985, our firm has recovered over $4 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients. We successfully negotiated a $15 million pedestrian accident settlement in a case stemming from a commercial truck striking a pedestrian in California.
Put your case in the hands of proven litigators you can trust. Our legal team offers free and confidential case evaluations. Fill out a free case evaluation form or call us today at (310) 207-3233.
