San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Were You Injured Walking the Streets of San Francisco?
Pedestrians in San Francisco are among the city’s most vulnerable people on the road. According to San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency, pedestrians and bicyclists account for half of all traffic fatalities. Despite major funding efforts, city planning decisions, and engineering innovations, accidents still happen frequently. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, our firm is here to help.
It is important for you to have an experienced legal advocate on your side during this time. The San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyers at The Matiasic Firm know your rights, and we are not afraid to go to trial to seek maximum compensation on your behalf. We also can work to secure a substantial settlement for you out of court through negotiation and can represent you through every stage of the legal process.
Contact The Matiasic Firm at (415) 675-1089 for a FREE consultation. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for accident victims in San Francisco, and now, we are ready to help you. Call us to get started.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can have many different causes. Although some accidents can be attributed to pedestrian error, most accidents are caused by factors that are out of their control. Nearly all pedestrian accidents could have been prevented if drivers had paid greater attention to the roads and the people on them.
Key risk factors for pedestrian accidents include:
- Speeding (which is a factor in 90% of fatal pedestrian accidents)
- Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
- Drivers failing to look out for pedestrians in an intersection
- Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs
- Distracted driving, such as texting or using handheld devices
- Complex travel patterns, such as on-ramps or streets without crosswalks
According to California law, pedestrians have the right-of-way in nearly all situations. However, pedestrians have a duty of reasonable care to others on the road, just like motorists. They must follow the rules of the road, such as obeying traffic control signals, walking on the sidewalk, using the crosswalk, etc.
Seeking Maximum Compensation for Your Injuries
You need to take specific actions to receive the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries. Unlike insurance companies, we are dedicated to safeguarding your rights. We can help you pursue the money that you deserve and need to receive the best possible medical attention and recover other damages.
In any accident case, we follow a simple yet effective protocol:
- Determine where the accident occurred and who caused it
- Determine which legal rights were violated by someone else’s negligence
- Prove that you were injured, as well as the extent of your injuries
- Determine who caused the harm and the above-mentioned injuries
You can trust the team at The Matiasic Firm to take a stand for your rights. Our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to achieve results on your behalf. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, do not delay another moment. Exercise your legal right to pursue compensation that may be available to you.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
If you have been injured by a negligent driver while you were walking in San Francisco, you may only have two years to file a claim for compensation. The sooner you work with our San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyers, the sooner we can investigate your case, collect evidence, and obtain key witness statements.
It is our goal to prove that someone else’s reckless actions directly caused your injuries. This approach can be the most efficient way to help you obtain maximum compensation. In most cases, we are able to help our clients receive much more compensation than the insurance companies initially offer.
Pedestrian Accidents Involving Public Transportation
Public transportation operators are responsible for protecting passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists, more so than other licensed commercial drivers, and must adhere to strict state laws and federal regulations.
We can help guide you through the pre-filing requirements if you wish to take action against any of the following entities:
- San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
- Municipal (MUNI) Bus and MUNI Metro
- Bay Area Rapid Transit
- San Francisco Cable Car companies
- Light Rail Vehicles
- Taxi Companies
- Muni Electric Trolley Coaches
If you have been hit by a public transportation operator or by any state, county, or local government public entity, you will have only six months to file a claim for damages. If you miss the filing deadline, you could lose your right to claim compensation for accident-related damages. Don’t wait – contact our firm today.
When a pedestrian accident involving a bus occurs who is held liable? There are actually several parties that may be held liable for an accident including the driver, a government entity, or even the bus manufacturer. To learn more about liability in bus accidents read our blog, “When Bus Accidents Happen, Who is at Fault?”
Can a Pedestrian Share Fault in an Accident?
While motor vehicles are mostly liable in many car-pedestrian accidents, there are many other instances when the pedestrian was either partially at fault or completely at fault. For instance, let’s say a pedestrian crosses a street against the red hand of the traffic light, then a motorist who was texting while driving hits the pedestrian. Since both parties breached their duty of reasonable care, how is fault divided?
Since California is a comparative negligence state, the plaintiff’s damages would be reduced by the percentage of their own negligence. The judge or jury decides what percentage of liability is given to the plaintiff’s own negligence, and that percentage would reduce the plaintiff’s total award for monetary damages.
Start Your Case with a Free Consultation: (415) 675-1089
Our pedestrian accident attorneys in San Francisco, CA have been selected for inclusion in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum® and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, making us a results-driven and trusted name in the personal injury legal field. We understand what it takes to obtain the best outcome possible. Let us handle the legal process while you make a full recovery from your injuries.
If you wish to learn more about how our firm can help you with your claim, contact The Matiasic Firm today for your free and confidential case consultation.
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