Contra Costa County Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

If you were hit by a car while walking in Contra Costa County, you may be dealing with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and a lot of uncertainty about what comes next. We can help.

Pedestrian accidents are often devastating because the person on foot has no protection from the force of a moving vehicle. Contra Costa County’s own safety agencies have emphasized that severe traffic injuries are a serious countywide problem, and county officials say Vision Zero is built on the principle that deaths and major injuries on local roads are preventable.

At The Hassell Law Group, we help injured people pursue compensation after serious accidents caused by negligence. Our firm serves clients throughout Contra Costa County from our office in Pinole, including local cities such as Richmond, Hercules, Pinole, El Sobrante, and San Pablo.

If you are searching for a Contra Costa County pedestrian accident lawyer near you, our team is ready to help you understand your rights, investigate what happened, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

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Why Pedestrian Accident Cases Are So Serious

Pedestrian crashes frequently cause catastrophic injuries. Unlike drivers and passengers, pedestrians do not have airbags, seat belts, or a steel vehicle frame protecting them. Even a collision at a relatively modest speed can cause traumatic brain injuries, fractures, spinal trauma, internal injuries, and long-term disability.

These claims can also become more complicated than they look. Insurance companies often try to argue that the pedestrian crossed outside a crosswalk, wore dark clothing, failed to pay attention, or somehow caused the crash.

But California law does not let drivers ignore pedestrians. California Vehicle Code section 21950 requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, while also stating that pedestrians may not suddenly leave a curb or place of safety and walk into the path of a vehicle so close as to create an immediate hazard.

That means many Contra Costa County pedestrian injury cases turn on a careful analysis of speed, visibility, crosswalk location, driver attentiveness, road design, and whether the driver acted reasonably under the circumstances.

Why Choose The Hassell Law Group for a Contra Costa County Pedestrian Accident Claim?

The Hassell Law Group already has a dedicated San Francisco pedestrian accident lawyers page, which highlights our more than 90 years of combined legal experience helping injured pedestrians and their families recover compensation. The firm’s Contra Costa city pages also consistently position our firm as a serious personal injury law firm serving clients throughout the county.

People choose The Hassell Law Group because we offer:

• More than 90 years of combined legal experience
• A strong record of success in serious personal injury cases
• Direct, personalized attorney attention
• Aggressive negotiation and litigation readiness
• No fee unless we recover compensation for you

If your crash happened in Richmond, Concord, Walnut Creek, Antioch, Pittsburg, Brentwood, San Ramon, Danville, Martinez, Pinole, Hercules, El Sobrante, San Pablo, Pleasant Hill, or elsewhere in Contra Costa County, our team is ready to help.

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Contra Costa County Has Real Pedestrian Safety Problems

Contra Costa County has real documented roadway-safety concerns. Contra Costa’s Vision Zero materials state that no one should be killed or seriously injured while using county roadways, and county health officials say that 4 out of 10 people seriously hurt or killed in crashes in Contra Costa County are bicyclists or pedestrians.

County transportation leaders have also described the county’s safety work as focused on speed reduction, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and corridor safety planning. In late 2024, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority announced federal funding to support roadway-safety improvements aimed at preventing deaths and serious injuries.

That local context matters. A pedestrian crash in Contra Costa County may involve:

• busy urban arterials in West County,
• commuter corridors in Central County,
• highway-adjacent crossings,
• school and shopping-area intersections,
• poorly designed crossing locations,
• or dangerous roads lacking adequate pedestrian protection.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Contra Costa County

Every pedestrian crash has its own facts, but certain patterns appear again and again.

Drivers Failing to Yield at Crosswalks

Many pedestrian collisions happen when a driver does not stop for someone legally crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. California law requires drivers to yield in those situations.

Distracted Driving

Drivers who text, look at navigation, eat, or simply fail to watch the roadway can strike pedestrians in an instant.

Speeding

Excessive speed reduces stopping distance and often makes pedestrian injuries much worse.

Left-Turn and Right-Turn Crashes

Pedestrians are often hit when a turning driver focuses on vehicle traffic and fails to see the person crossing.

Poor Visibility

Nighttime conditions, rain, blocked sight lines, parked vehicles, and inadequate lighting can all contribute to a pedestrian crash.

Dangerous Road Design or Maintenance

Some pedestrian accident cases involve missing crosswalks, faded striping, malfunctioning signals, poor signage, inadequate sidewalks, or other dangerous roadway conditions. When that happens, a public entity claim may need to be investigated.

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Who Can Be Held Liable in a Pedestrian Accident Case?

The driver is not always the only responsible party. Depending on the facts, a Contra Costa County pedestrian accident claim may involve:

• A negligent driver
• The owner of the vehicle
• An employer, if the driver was working at the time
• A rideshare or delivery company in the right case
• A public entity responsible for dangerous roadway conditions
• A contractor or property owner in some fact patterns

That is one reason these cases should be investigated carefully. A serious claim may depend on photographs, witness statements, roadway evidence, signal timing, surveillance footage, vehicle data, and prompt preservation of the accident scene.

California Pedestrian Laws Matter – But They Do Not Automatically Decide the Case

Insurance companies often try to reduce a pedestrian claim to one simple talking point, such as “the person was outside the crosswalk.” California law is far more nuanced than that.

California Vehicle Code section 21954 says that pedestrians crossing a roadway at a point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to vehicles close enough to be an immediate hazard. But that same law also states that it does not relieve the driver of the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian on the roadway.

That is critical. Even when a pedestrian may have made a mistake, the driver may still be legally responsible for all or part of the crash. California comparative fault principles can still allow recovery when the driver’s negligence caused or contributed to the injuries.

Common Injuries in Contra Costa County Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accident injuries are often severe. Common examples include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussions
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Leg, knee, and ankle injuries
• Pelvic injuries
• Internal injuries
• Facial trauma
• Dental trauma
• Road rash and scarring
• Emotional distress and trauma

If your case involves serious head injury or spinal trauma, please view our firm’s brain injury lawyers and spinal cord injury lawyers pages for greater detail on these types of injuries.

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What Compensation May Be Available?

A pedestrian accident claim may include compensation for both financial and human losses. Depending on the facts, you may be able to recover for:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Hospital bills
• Surgery
• Follow-up medical care
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Prescription medication costs
• Lost wages
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability
• Scaring and disfigurement

The goal is to fully account for how the crash changed your life, not just reimburse immediate bills.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Contra Costa County

The steps you take after the crash can make a major difference.

1. Get Medical Care Right Away

Call paramedics to the scene. Your health comes first. Prompt medical treatment also helps document your injuries.

2. Call Law Enforcement to The Accident Scene

A police report can be important evidence in proving how the crash happened.

3. Take Photos and Preserve Evidence

Photograph the accident scene, vehicle, skid marks, crosswalk, traffic controls, lighting conditions, and your injuries.

4. Get Witness Information

Independent witnesses can be extremely important when fault is disputed.

5. Be Careful With Insurance Statements

Insurers often try to shift blame to the pedestrian. Do not assume their questions are neutral. Speak with a lawyer before you speak with any insurance company representatives.

6. Talk to an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

The sooner you get legal guidance; the sooner evidence can be preserved and liability investigated.

Public Entity Claims May Have Special Deadlines

If a dangerous public condition contributed to the crash, you may be dealing with a claim against a government entity. California courts explain that before suing a government agency, you generally must first file a formal claim with the agency within 6 months of the date of the accident, and if the claim is denied, you generally have six months from the date of that rejection to file a court case.

That shorter timeline is one reason pedestrian accident cases involving unsafe intersections, broken signals, missing sidewalks, or dangerous public roadway conditions should be reviewed by an experienced attorney quickly after an accident.

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How The Hassell Law Group Can Help

When we handle a Contra Costa County pedestrian accident claim, we may help by:

• Investigating how the crash happened
• Identifying all potentially liable parties
• Preserving scene and roadway evidence
• Reviewing visibility, crosswalk, and traffic-control issues
• Gathering medical evidence and proof of damages
• Negotiating aggressively with insurers
• Preparing the case for litigation if needed

You can also learn more about the firm on our home page, about page, attorneys page, reviews page, and results page. The firm also has a helpful article on Do I Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

Speak With a Contra Costa County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

If you were hit while walking in Contra Costa County, do not assume the insurance company will fairly value your claim on its own. Pedestrian accident cases often involve severe injuries, contested liability, and arguments about visibility, signals, or roadway conditions.

The Hassell Law Group is ready to review your case, explain your options, and fight for the compensation you deserve. If you need an experienced Contra Costa County pedestrian accident lawyer, contact us today at (510) 849-6410 for a free consultation.

There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.

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FAQ: Contra Costa County Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Do pedestrians always have the right-of-way in California?

Not always. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks under Vehicle Code section 21950, but pedestrians also cannot suddenly step into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to create an immediate hazard.

What if I was hit outside a crosswalk?

You may still have a case. California law says pedestrians crossing outside certain crosswalk areas must yield, but drivers still owe a duty of due care to pedestrians on the roadway.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault?

Potentially, yes. California comparative fault rules may still allow recovery even if the pedestrian shares some responsibility.

What if poor road design or a broken signal contributed to the crash?

You may have a claim against a public entity, but special shorter deadlines apply. California courts explain that a government claim is usually required before a lawsuit can be filed. And there are strict filing deadlines for these claims.

What damages can I recover after a pedestrian accident?

You may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, rehabilitation, future treatment, and other losses depending on the facts of the case.

How much does it cost to hire The Hassell Law Group?

The firm handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no attorney fee unless compensation is recovered.

The general information provided on this website should not be considered legal advice and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult directly with an attorney. If you contact us by telephone, email, letter, or by contact form submission through this website, please note that such communication does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. We cannot act as your attorney until we are hired as your attorney by a formal written agreement.