San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
San Francisco is one of the most walkable cities in the country, but that also means pedestrians share the road with heavy traffic in nearly every neighborhood — from the crowded intersections of Union Square and the Financial District to residential streets throughout the city. When a driver fails to see a pedestrian or fails to yield the right of way, the results can be devastating. If you or a loved one was injured as a pedestrian in San Francisco, Tien Law Firm can help you pursue the compensation you may deserve.
Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Call (415) 881-8820 anytime, day or night.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in San Francisco
Pedestrian accidents in San Francisco frequently result from:
- Failure to yield at crosswalks, whether marked or unmarked
- Left- and right-turn accidents, where a driver turning at an intersection fails to see a pedestrian crossing
- Distracted driving, including cell phone use behind the wheel
- Speeding, particularly on wider arterial streets
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Backing accidents in parking lots, driveways, and garages
- Impaired driving
- Poor visibility conditions, including fog and nighttime driving
Why Pedestrian Accidents Cause Severe Injuries
Pedestrians have no protection from the force of a vehicle collision, which means even accidents at relatively low speeds can cause serious harm. Common pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Multiple fractures, particularly to the legs, hips, and pelvis
- Internal organ damage
- Road rash and severe lacerations
- Wrongful death, in the most serious cases
Hit by a Car in San Francisco? You Have More Rights Than You Think.
San Francisco’s streets weren’t built for the traffic they carry today. Between the hills, the tourists, the delivery drivers racing the clock, and intersections like Van Ness & Market or Geary & Masonic that see crash after crash, pedestrians pay the price. If a driver hit you—or someone you love—you’re likely dealing with pain, medical bills, missed work, and an insurance adjuster who’s already building a case to pay you as little as possible.
Tien Law Firm exists to change that math. We investigate the crash, deal with the insurance companies, and fight to get you the full compensation you’re owed—so you can focus on healing.
Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Call (415) 881-8820 anytime, day or night.
San Francisco-Area Roads and Hospitals Relevant to Pedestrian Accident Cases
Pedestrian accidents in San Francisco frequently occur along high-traffic corridors and busy pedestrian areas such as Market Street, Van Ness Avenue, Geary Boulevard, Mission Street, and the intersections throughout Union Square, the Financial District, and SoMa, where heavy foot traffic meets equally heavy vehicle traffic. Injured pedestrians in San Francisco are often treated at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, the city’s only Level I trauma center, or UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus. Understanding these local corridors and treatment facilities helps build a clear, well-documented picture of how a pedestrian accident happened and the injuries that resulted.
Determining Fault in a Pedestrian Accident
California law generally gives pedestrians the right of way in crosswalks, whether marked or unmarked, and drivers are required to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians anywhere on the roadway. That said, fault isn’t always straightforward — insurance companies frequently try to argue that a pedestrian was jaywalking, crossed against a signal, or was otherwise partly responsible for the accident.
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means a pedestrian can still recover compensation even if found partially at fault, with the recovery reduced by their percentage of fault. This is far more favorable to injured pedestrians than the strict contributory negligence standard some other states apply, but insurance companies still look for every opportunity to shift blame and reduce a payout.
Evidence That Strengthens a Pedestrian Accident Claim
- Police crash reports, including officer observations and any citations issued
- Traffic camera or nearby business surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Photos of the accident scene, including the crosswalk, signal timing, and vehicle position
- Medical records documenting the full extent of injuries
- Accident reconstruction, in serious or disputed cases
California’s Statute of Limitations
In most cases, California law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government vehicle was involved — such as a Muni bus — a much shorter deadline, typically six months, applies to file an initial claim, making it especially important to speak with an attorney quickly.
Compensation Available After a Pedestrian Accident
Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to recover:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability, disfigurement, or loss of mobility
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
Why Choose Tien Law Firm
Tien Law Firm was founded by Sonya Tien, an award-winning San Francisco personal injury attorney with more than a decade of experience representing injured clients. Sonya and her team understand how insurance companies try to shift blame onto injured pedestrians, and know how to build a strong, evidence-backed case that holds negligent drivers fully accountable.
Contact a San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured as a pedestrian in San Francisco, don’t let the insurance company minimize your claim.
Call Tien Law Firm today at (415) 881-8820 for a consultation with an experienced San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer.
Why Pedestrian Accident Cases in San Francisco Are Different
California law gives injured pedestrians strong protections, but San Francisco adds its own layers of complexity:
- Comparative fault fights. Insurers routinely try to blame the pedestrian—claiming you crossed against the light, weren’t in the crosswalk, or “came out of nowhere.” California’s comparative negligence rule means even a partial share of blame assigned to you can reduce your payout. We know how to counter these tactics with traffic camera footage, witness statements, and accident reconstruction.
- City and Muni involvement. If a Muni bus, a city vehicle, or poor road design contributed to your crash, you may have a claim against the City and County of San Francisco—which comes with a strict six-month government claim deadline. Miss it, and you may lose your right to recover anything.
- Rideshare and delivery drivers. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Amazon drivers are everywhere in this city, and their commercial insurance policies work differently than a standard personal auto policy. We know which policy applies and how to access it.
- High-traffic danger zones. SFMTA’s own data flags corridors like the Tenderloin, SoMa, and the Mission as high-injury zones. We understand the patterns behind these crashes and use that knowledge to build your case.
What We Fight to Recover for You
A pedestrian accident isn’t just a broken bone or a few days in the hospital—it can upend your entire life. We pursue compensation for:
- Emergency room and ongoing medical treatment
- Surgery, physical therapy, and future medical care
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death, if a loved one didn’t survive
We work with medical experts, economists, and accident reconstructionists to make sure your claim reflects the true cost of what happened to you—not just what the insurance company wants to hand over.
How It Works
1. Free Case Review Tell us what happened. We’ll review the details, answer your questions, and tell you honestly whether you have a case—no pressure, no cost.
2. We Investigate Immediately Time matters. We move fast to secure traffic camera footage, canvass witnesses, and preserve evidence before it disappears.
3. We Handle the Insurance Companies You won’t field lowball calls or confusing paperwork. We communicate with every insurer involved so you can focus on recovering.
4. We Fight for Maximum Compensation Most cases settle—but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, because that’s what gets insurance companies to take your claim seriously.
You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Why San Franciscans Choose Tien Law Firm
- Local knowledge. We know San Francisco’s streets, intersections, and courts—and the patterns behind the city’s worst crash corridors.
- No fees unless we win. Our contingency fee structure means you never pay out of pocket to hold a negligent driver accountable.
- Direct access to your attorney. You’ll always know who’s handling your case and how to reach them—not a call center.
- Aggressive, prepared advocacy. We build every case for trial from day one, which is exactly why most of them settle for what they’re actually worth.
Common Questions After a Pedestrian Accident
How much does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer? Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, which means our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict we win for you. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us anything.
What if I was partly at fault? You may still recover compensation. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially responsible — your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Don’t assume you have no case; let us evaluate it.
How long do I have to file a claim? In most cases, California gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the City of San Francisco or a government vehicle is involved, that window can shrink to six months. The sooner you talk to us, the more options you preserve.
The insurance company already called me. Should I talk to them? Be careful. Anything you say can be used to minimize your claim. Let us talk to them for you.
What if the driver fled the scene? Hit-and-run cases are common in San Francisco. You may still have options through your own uninsured motorist coverage—we can walk you through it.
Injured? Don’t Wait—Evidence Disappears Fast.
Traffic camera footage gets overwritten. Witnesses move on. Insurance companies start building their defense the moment they’re notified. Every day you wait is a day of leverage lost.
Talk to a San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyer today—for free.
Call (415) 881-8820 or fill out the form below for your free, no-obligation case review.