{"id":4426,"date":"2026-11-01T00:42:53","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T00:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/car-accident-lawyer\/who-s-the-best-attorney-for-pedestrian-injury-cases\/"},"modified":"2026-11-04T01:08:30","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T01:08:30","slug":"who-s-the-best-attorney-for-pedestrian-injury-cases","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/car-accident-lawyer\/who-s-the-best-attorney-for-pedestrian-injury-cases\/","title":{"rendered":"Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in California: Choosing Counsel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pedestrian Accidents | Bakersfield and Kern County<\/p>

Choosing a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in California<\/h1>

Know what to ask, what to bring, and why a free, confidential first consultation is a practical place to start.<\/p>

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By Donald Norman Colvin \u00b7 Published October 31, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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No single lawyer is the right fit for every pedestrian injury case. The better question is which lawyer fits the facts, injuries, and deadlines of your own situation. This page explains how California law treats pedestrian claims, what official crash data shows, what to check in a pedestrian accident lawyer, and how timing and fees work. It is general information, not advice about any particular claim. Colvin Accident Lawyers is based in Bakersfield, California, and handles pedestrian injury claims among other accident matters.<\/p>\n

Why no single lawyer fits every pedestrian case<\/h2>\n

No lawyer can be shown to be the right fit for every pedestrian case, so fit matters more than a label. Pedestrian claims vary a lot. A crash in a marked crosswalk, a hit on a dark road, and a bus stop injury raise different questions. Each claim turns on who was at fault, what injuries resulted, and who may be responsible. The sections below cover the California rules, crash data, lawyer qualities worth checking, deadlines, and fee terms. For a broader view of the firm’s car and pedestrian-related work, see the car accident lawyer overview<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

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If someone you love was struck while crossing, or you were hurt and aren't sure what comes next, you don't have to sort it out alone, so talk with our team about the facts of your situation. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

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What makes a pedestrian claim different under California law<\/h2>\n

Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, but right-of-way doesn’t settle who was at fault. Under Vehicle Code \u00a7 21950<\/a>, a driver must yield to a pedestrian crossing within a marked crosswalk, or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. The same section says a pedestrian must still use due care. No pedestrian may suddenly step off a curb into the path of a vehicle that is an immediate hazard. Both duties can be argued, so fault is often disputed.<\/p>\n

Under Civil Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a>, each defendant’s share of non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, follows its percentage of fault. Economic losses like medical bills and lost earnings are defined separately. Pedestrian claims can involve drivers, delivery companies, bus operators, property owners, or public agencies. Each one raises its own questions.<\/p>\n

Where and when do pedestrian collisions happen in California?<\/h2>\n

Caltrans publishes annual collision data that sorts crashes into official categories, including pedestrian crashes. The Caltrans annual collision data<\/a> includes Kern County and highway-related statistics. Its categories include fatal and injury crashes, pedestrian and bicycle crashes, time of day, crash type, and primary crash factor. Those categories show how official reports classify these crashes.<\/p>\n

Distraction is one factor the law addresses directly. Under Vehicle Code \u00a7 23123.5<\/a>, a person may not drive while holding and operating a handheld wireless phone. Cal. Veh. Code \u00a7 23123.5<\/a> reads: “(a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while holding and operating a handheld wireless telephone or an electronic wireless communications device unless the wireless telephone or electronic wireless communications device is specifically designed and configured to allow voice-operated and hands-free operation, and it is used in that manner while driving.” The phone must be designed for hands-free use and used that way. Cal. Veh. Code \u00a7 23123.5<\/a> reads: “(a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while holding and operating a handheld wireless telephone or an electronic wireless communications device unless the wireless telephone or electronic wireless communications device is specifically designed and configured to allow voice-operated and hands-free operation, and it is used in that manner while driving.” Crash scene video, signal timing records, and vehicle data can be overwritten or lost over time. Early requests for that evidence matter.<\/p>\n

How Colvin Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Pedestrian Accident<\/h2>\n

Contact Colvin Accident Lawyers to talk through your pedestrian accident and ask how we would handle each step of your case. Useful questions include:<\/p>\n