No win, no fee: You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Being hit by a vehicle can turn a simple walk in the Bay Area into a life-changing event. Pedestrians have no protection against speeding cars or distracted drivers, and the injuries that follow are often devastating.
What makes matters worse is that victims don’t have long to protect their legal rights and hold the at-fault party responsible. California law typically gives 2 years to file a personal injury claim, but critical evidence can disappear much sooner.
Therefore, you’ll want to take action as quickly as possible.
Looking for a local pedestrian accident attorney in San Francisco? The team at Stoll & Haynes is ready to listen.
We understand the financial toll and emotional strain pedestrian accidents take. We can fight to secure the justice and compensation you rightly deserve.
Why Choose Our San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Lawyers?
When you work with Stoll & Haynes, a pedestrian accident attorney in San Francisco can:
Investigate your accident thoroughly and build a solid claim
Provide legal guidance throughout the claims process
Help you understand who’s liable for an accident and, if you share responsibility, how compensation may still be available under California’s “comparative negligence” rule
Maximize your chances of receiving fair and full compensation under California law
Represent you in the San Francisco Superior Court when necessary (most cases settle out of court)
Located at 220 Montgomery Street in the Financial District, our team has:
30+ years of experience: We’ve supported pedestrian accident victims in the Bay Area since 1994.
Proven results: We’ve won substantial settlements for people injured in pedestrian accidents, including multi-million-dollar verdicts
Contingency-based representation: We work on a no win, no fee basis, meaning you don’t pay any attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
FREE consultations: Get an initial case review at no cost to discuss your options and what to do next.
Wide service area: We help injury victims in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Silicon Valley, Berkeley, and elsewhere in the Bay Area.
Our team has extensive experience in this area of personal injury law. Here are just a couple of our success stories:
Pedestrian struck by MUNI bus in the Fillmore district
Compensation amount: $3.1 million
Our experienced legal team secured a $3.1 million settlement from the City and County of San Francisco after an 83-year-old man was hit by a MUNI bus at the intersection of Geary and Fillmore Street in the Fillmore, suffering catastrophic leg injuries. This included $1.6 million for medical bills and $1.5 million in cash damages. We uncovered evidence that the bus driver was negligent and that the City knew the intersection was dangerous at the time of the accident.
Pedestrian struck by semi-truck
Compensation amount: $750,000
After an elderly pedestrian was hit by a semi-truck at a marked crosswalk, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) initially determined that the pedestrian failed to yield the right of way. However, we determined that the truck driver’s speed and inattention were the primary causes of the accident.
Note: Past case outcomes do not guarantee future results. Your case may be different.
Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Attorneyin San Francisco
Pedestrian accident claims are often treated differently from typical car accidents and bicycle accidents. We’ve seen insurance companies argue that pedestrians were careless or distracted, even when a driver clearly broke the law.
This is unacceptable.
An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in San Francisco:
Negotiates with insurers on your behalf so that you can focus on recovery
Challenges any attempt to blame you for the accident
Proves the full extent of your injuries and their financial impact
Understands that drivers have a duty of care toward pedestrians
Al and his team have handled both my own personal injury cases and multiple referrals. Why multiple referrals? Because when someone gets hurt, you need the best, and I never hesitate to refer them to this team of dedicated and capable professionals. Communication is key to your lawsuit, and they respond diligently.
Jeffrey P.
Walter Haynes gets to the bottom of cases and figures out what really happened — going out to the scene himself, using investigators if he needs to, and then going after the other guy (and the other guy’s insurer) relentlessly. You hope you never need to hire a personal injury lawyer, but when you need one, Walt is tops.
E.A., San Francisco, CA
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in San Francisco
In 2024, 24 people were killed by vehicles while walking on our city’s streets, the highest number since 2007. Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
Drivers backing up in busy neighborhoods, including the Mission District, North Beach, and Union Square
Rideshare activity (Uber/Lyft) in high-traffic areas like SoMa and the Financial District.
Traffic violations like running red lights and failing to yield
Distracted driving, such as texting or talking on the phone
Unsafe driving conditions, including steep hills that obscure visibility
We’ve represented clients who have been struck while crossing the road or walking on sidewalks. These accidents were almost always preventable. In one instance, our attorneys helped an injured pedestrian recover over $3 million, even though police initially said the driver wasn’t at fault and our client had crossed at a red light.
Injuries Seen in Pedestrian Accident Claims
Pedestrians often absorb the full force of a collision. These can result in serious injuries.
Not all injuries in pedestrian accidents are physical. Even if someone walks away with just a few scratches, they may later experience anxiety, depression, PTSD, or sleep disturbances.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hit By a Car While Walking
Taking the right steps after a pedestrian accident can lead to a more successful outcome:
Seek medical care
First things first, get yourself checked over by a doctor. Sometimes, minor injuries can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Report the collision
File a police report quickly so you have an official record of the accident.
Gather evidence
Take photos of the scene, collect contact details from witnesses, and keep medical records in a safe place. You might need all this information to support your claim for damages. The quicker you start gathering evidence, the better.
Contact a lawyer
Getting a pedestrian accident attorney involved is the best way to protect your rights. They can provide guidance and help you decide what to do next.
What Pedestrian Accident Compensation Is Available?
Under California law, you have the legal right to seek compensation for various losses caused by your accident. These include:
Medical expenses
Lost wages
Reduced or lost future earning potential
Pain and suffering
Property damage
In rare cases, you may also be awarded punitive damages by the San Francisco Superior Court if a driver acted with malice or extreme recklessness.
Sadly, some people don’t file a pedestrian accident claim because they think their injuries are too minor or the legal process is too complicated. Others might be unsure who’s to blame or don’t want to deal with intrusive questions from insurers. Our advice is this: don’t let fear stop you from pursuing compensation that could be rightfully yours.
Who’s Liable in a San Fran Pedestrian Accident?
Negligence is an important part of California personal injury law. It means that someone failed to use reasonable care, and that failure led to you being injured or harmed. For example, if someone was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they may be liable for your pedestrian accident, and you may be able to take legal action against them through a personal injury claim.
So, who can be liable if you are hit and injured by a vehicle while walking somewhere in San Francisco?
A car, truck, bicycle, or bus driver who was speeding, intoxicated, distracted, or driving without using reasonable care
An Uber/Lyft driver
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) if a Muni bus driver acted negligently
A private company operating autonomous vehicles, such as Waymo
What Are the Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections for Pedestrian Accidents in San Francisco?
In 2026, Stoll & Haynes analyzed records from the City and County of San Francisco (DataSF) to identify the roads and intersections where automobile injury crashes are most likely to happen. Though this data focuses on vehicle collisions, the same areas may also be among the most dangerous for pedestrians.
These are just the places where pedestrian accidents may be more likely to occur. The unfortunate truth is that an accident can happen anywhere in the Bay Area, from SoMa to Silicon Valley, and pedestrians can hold responsible parties accountable.
Pedestrian Accident Attorney in San Francisco FAQs
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim?
In California, you generally have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. In the event of a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim, which typically must be filed within 2 years of the person’s death.
Can a pedestrian accident attorney help if I was partly to blame?
The right lawyer may be able to help you recover damages even if you were partially responsible. Under California’s comparative negligence rule, any compensation you receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
What if I were hit by a rideshare in San Francisco?
Pedestrians may be involved in accidents with Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare vehicles in our city. These scenarios are often complicated because of insurance coverage; however, an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can help you pursue the maximum amount of compensation.
Where do most pedestrian accidents happen in San Francisco?
Pedestrian accidents can occur anywhere in our city. However, incidents may be more likely to happen in areas with high vehicle and foot traffic, such as Market Street, Mission Street, and intersections near SoMa and the Financial District.
How much compensation will I get for a pedestrian accident?
Every situation is different. However, recoverable losses can include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Talk to Stoll & Haynes to see what you might be entitled to.
What happens if you were jaywalking and then got hit by a car?
The comparative negligence rule in California means you may still be able to claim compensation. If you were partly responsible for your pedestrian accident, any compensation you receive may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 50% to blame, compensation may be reduced by 50%.
What if a driver flees the scene after a pedestrian accident?
This is actually known as a “hit-and-run” accident under California law, which is a serious offense. If you’re hit by a driver who then drives off, report what happened to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and consider contacting a personal injury attorney. They can help you file a claim under uninsured motorist (UM) insurance and pursue compensation for injuries.
Contact a San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, don’t wait to get legal advice. The sooner you involve an attorney, the sooner you could receive compensation.
We have extensive experience in this area of the law and can support you at this difficult time. Get in touch with our Bay Area team to learn how we can help.
Let a pedestrian accident attorney in San Francisco help you get justice.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need advice about your specific situation, please contact Stoll & Haynes directly.
