Every year, hundreds of pedestrians are injured on San Diego’s busy streets. From the Gaslamp Quarter to Mission Valley, the city’s growing traffic and tourism have increased pedestrian risks dramatically. Even though city officials continue to roll out safety projects, careless or distracted drivers still cause life-changing accidents. If you or someone you love was struck by a vehicle, understanding San Diego’s pedestrian accident laws and your legal options is essential to recovering compensation.
San Diego’s New Approach to Pedestrian Safety
In 2025, San Diego expanded its “Vision Zero” program, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths by 2035. City engineers installed new flashing beacons, repainted crosswalks, added speed bumps in high-incident zones, and lowered residential speed limits to 20–25 mph. These safety measures were designed to make streets safer, yet data from the San Diego Transportation Department shows that pedestrian injuries still account for nearly one-third of serious traffic accidents in the region.
Understanding these new laws helps victims and their attorneys hold negligent drivers accountable. For example, the California “Freedom to Walk” Act allows pedestrians to cross mid-block if it’s safe to do so, changing how fault is determined in many urban cases.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Keep Happening
Despite new signage and speed enforcement, pedestrian accidents continue to rise in popular areas such as Downtown, Pacific Beach, and Hillcrest. Common causes include:
- Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way at intersections or crosswalks
- Distracted driving caused by mobile phones or in-car screens
- Speeding in pedestrian-heavy zones
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Poor street lighting and obstructed crosswalk visibility
In most cases, driver negligence is to blame. However, defective road design or malfunctioning traffic lights can also play a role—potentially making the city or property owner partly responsible.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
The moments after an accident are confusing and stressful. Protect your health and your legal rights by following these steps:
- Seek medical care immediately. Even minor collisions can cause hidden trauma such as concussions or internal bleeding.
- Call the police. Ensure an official report is created. Later, you can obtain it from the San Diego Police Department.
- Document everything. Take photos of the accident scene, crosswalk markings, the driver’s car, and your visible injuries.
- Collect witness information. Eyewitness accounts often prove critical when reconstructing the event.
- Contact a San Diego injury attorney. An experienced lawyer can preserve evidence, contact insurance companies, and negotiate a fair settlement while you recover.
Determining Liability: Who’s at Fault?
California law recognizes that both drivers and pedestrians have duties of care. In many pedestrian accident San Diego cases, liability depends on whether the driver was distracted, speeding, or failed to yield at a marked crosswalk. However, pedestrians can also share some responsibility if they cross against traffic signals or outside designated areas.
California uses a comparative negligence system. This means your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 10% responsible for crossing too early, you can still recover 90% of your total damages. A skilled attorney ensures that insurance adjusters don’t unfairly increase your share of the blame.
Evidence That Strengthens Your Case
Building a strong case requires clear documentation. Your lawyer may use:
- Traffic camera and surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Accident reconstruction reports
- Medical evaluations and expert testimony
- Data from “smart crosswalk” sensors installed by the city
This evidence can help establish negligence and prove the extent of your damages. For severe injuries, your attorney may consult with vocational experts to assess future income loss or long-term disability.
Damages You Can Recover
If you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian collision, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emergency and ongoing medical expenses
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma therapy
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage (such as personal belongings)
Families who lose a loved one in a fatal pedestrian accident may also file a wrongful death claim to recover funeral costs and loss of support.
How New Safety Laws Strengthen Your Claim
California’s recent pedestrian-safety reforms can work in your favor. Lower speed limits and increased penalties for distracted driving create a clearer legal basis for negligence. If the at-fault driver violated these safety laws, your attorney can use the violation as evidence of fault—known as “negligence per se.”
Additionally, San Diego’s Smart Mobility Program now tracks real-time data on traffic light compliance and pedestrian signal timing. This information can be subpoenaed in certain cases to prove whether the driver ignored a red light or failed to stop in time.
Why Hiring a Local San Diego Attorney Matters
A local personal injury lawyer understands the city’s unique traffic conditions, insurance networks, and local courts. At San Diego Injury Attorney, we regularly represent victims injured in downtown crosswalks, coastal zones, and school districts. We also collaborate with experts in accident reconstruction and medical evaluation to ensure your case is backed by solid evidence.
To learn more about maximizing your claim, visit our related guide on How to Maximize Your Personal Injury Settlement in San Diego or read How to Choose the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in San Diego.
Statute of Limitations in California
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the responsible party is a government entity—such as the City of San Diego—you have only six months to file an administrative claim. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation.
External Resource: NHTSA Safety Data
For national insights on pedestrian accident trends and prevention, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers detailed statistics and safety recommendations.
Conclusion
Pedestrian accidents can change your life in an instant, but new safety laws and data-driven enforcement are helping victims achieve better legal outcomes. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in San Diego, don’t wait for insurance companies to minimize your claim. Contact an experienced local attorney who understands how to use San Diego’s new safety initiatives to strengthen your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.