Folsom Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Walking should be a safe and respected activity, yet pedestrians remain vulnerable on the road and risk severe consequences from others’ recklessness or negligence.
When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, the impact can be serious and life-changing.
Many pedestrian accident victims experience pain, have difficulty walking, and have trouble sleeping. This can lead to missed work, replaced by a busy schedule of doctor’s visits and physical therapy.
Additionally, medical bills are stacking up in the mailbox, and you may start to wonder if the person who hit you will have enough insurance to cover all your losses – especially if you have sustained broken bones, head trauma, or back injuries.
Child & Jackson Personal Injury Lawyers represents pedestrians injured in Folsom. We are committed to ensuring that, in the unfortunate event of an accident, you know exactly what steps to take and what your rights are. With years dedicated to advocating for people unfairly harmed in pedestrian accidents, we truly understand the impact these events can have on a person’s life. We not only fight for fair compensation for our clients, but we also work to restore a sense of safety and justice in their lives.
If you were hit while walking in Folsom, contact an experienced Folsom pedestrian accident lawyer for a free, no-obligation consultation. We want to know what happened, answer your questions, and explain your rights and the options available to you.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Pedestrian Accident in Folsom?
When a driver’s carelessness causes injuries, you have the right to pursue a claim for your losses. Pedestrian cases often turn into disputes about right of way, where you were crossing, and whether the driver “had time” to react. In California, drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections, and must exercise due care when approaching a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Insurance companies understand these rules, but they continue seeking ways to minimize payouts and frame your injuries as less serious than they are. Some adjusters like to get recorded statements from injured pedestrians who are not represented by attorneys because they can ask leading questions, get you to question yourself, and maybe get you to admit something that may or may not be true, and then use your words to argue you were partly responsible later on. Other times, the goal is to wrap up the claim early before you know the full extent of your injuries. Head injuries can take weeks – even months to manifest themselves.
If you haven’t received follow-up care to let doctors evaluate your healing progress, how can an insurance adjuster, who is not a medical doctor, determine when your claim should be settled?
A lawyer can relieve you of the burden of talking to the insurance companies for you. In addition, a legal professional can oversee treatment, gather medical records, and preserve evidence from the accident scene, including traffic signal timing, crosswalk markings, lighting, and available video footage. Additionally, we can request the police report, photos, witness names, and get copies of insurance letters sent to you or other parties.
People often consider legal representation when:
- The injury involves an ER visit, imaging, surgery, therapy, or ongoing care
- Work is missed, job duties change, or pain limits daily activities
- Fault is disputed (crosswalk, turning movement, “dart-out,” or speed)
- The driver left the scene or was uninsured
- A company vehicle or delivery driver was involved
- A road condition played a role (hazards, lighting, road signs, obstructions, or crosswalk design)
We take over the claim work that drains people the most—insurance calls, evidence requests, and records that support both the injury and the full scope of losses. But that is only part of it. Even when we send medical records to an insurance carrier, California law generally does not require the at-fault insurer to disclose policy limits before a lawsuit, so we prepare your file with that in mind.
We organize each client’s file as if it will be litigated. An experienced pedestrian injury attorney will also negotiate a settlement on your behalf, and if an insurance company does not offer fair compensation, we can file a lawsuit and use discovery to demand the insurance coverage information, including the limits.
Daily life in Folsom means crossing residential streets and busier roads. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, contact Child & Jackson today for a free consultation.
Why Hire Child & Jackson for a Pedestrian Accident Case in Folsom?
Most people call a lawyer because they do not want the stress while they are trying to heal. They also want an attorney familiar with pedestrian accident law who will not let an insurance company dictate the terms of the settlement.
- 40+ years representing injured people across California. Child & Jackson has successfully helped injured victims with their cases for more than four decades.
- $205+ million recovered for clients. Although past results do not guarantee a specific outcome, a law firm’s history of success and positive reviews demonstrate that it has effectively managed clients’ injury claims.
- No upfront fees. Child & Jackson works on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay attorney fees unless money is recovered.
- Trial preparation is supported by extensive trial experience. Insurance companies have a list of the attorneys likely to pursue lawsuits. Child & Jackson are fearless trial attorneys with a history of taking numerous cases to court to fight for their clients.
Many pedestrian accident cases are won due to thorough preparation and the skill to effectively communicate to a judge or jury how the other party’s negligence has impacted your life and why they should be held accountable for your losses. Find out how we can help by contacting one of our pedestrian injury attorneys today.
What Causes Pedestrian Collisions in Folsom?
Pedestrian crashes often occur because of moving violations. The following are some of the most common reasons for pedestrian injuries in Folsom.
- Failure to yield at a marked or unmarked crosswalk (Cal. Veh. Code 21950)
- Passing a vehicle that stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk (Cal. Veh. Code 21951)
- Unsafe speed for conditions (traffic, visibility, and roadway layout) (Cal. Veh. Code 22350)
- Distracted driving (Cal. Veh. Code 23123)
- Impaired driving causing injury (Cal. Veh. Code 23153)
- Backing out of driveways or parking areas without checking for people walking (Cal. Veh. Code §§ 22106, 21952)
- Lane changes that cut into crosswalk space or the shoulder (Cal. Veh. Code §§ 22107, 21658, 21755)
Pedestrians also have legal responsibilities. If a person crosses outside a crosswalk, they must yield to vehicles that are close enough to pose an immediate hazard, while still respecting the driver’s obligation of due care. (Cal. Veh. Code § 21954)
A pedestrian claim requires more than just showing that a collision took place. It also involves detailing how and where the incident occurred. For instance, was the crosswalk marked or unmarked at the intersection? Was it clearly visible? Were the walk/don’t walk signals properly timed? Were the road signs blocked by landscaping, parked vehicles, or buildings? And were there sufficient lighting conditions after dark?
Where Pedestrian Crashes Happen in Folsom
In Folsom, approximately 80% of collisions occur at intersections, especially between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., when pedestrians and motor vehicles are most likely to be in the same place. When a pedestrian crash happens during these busy hours, factors such as traffic light timing, lighting, and nearby video footage can help in understanding what happened.
Recent reporting also shows pedestrian injuries on major Folsom corridors and near retail and transit areas, including:
- East Bidwell Street near Orchard Drive (fatal crash reported April 1, 2024)
- East Bidwell Street and Oak Avenue Parkway (pedestrian hospitalized; reported November 2023)
- Blue Ravine Road near Plaza Drive (reported April 2025)
- Folsom Prison Road and East Natoma Street (reported February 2025)
- Iron Point Station area near Folsom Boulevard (person on foot killed at the light rail station; reported January 2026)
Getting struck by a vehicle while you are walking in Folsom can leave you hurt and unsure of how to keep your life moving forward. Schedule a free 1:1 appointment with a Folsom pedestrian accident lawyer today by calling or using our online contact form.
Who May Be Responsible for a Pedestrian Accident?
Who May Be Responsible for a Pedestrian Accident?
Many claims involve at least one negligent driver. Some involve more than one responsible party. For instance, responsible parties in pedestrian crashes may include:
- The driver who struck the pedestrian
- The vehicle owner, if the driver had permission to use the vehicle
- An employer or other principal, if the driver was working at the time
- A public entity, if a dangerous condition of public property contributed (for example, crosswalk design, missing signs, or lighting issues
- A property owner, property manager, business, or contractor, if a condition on private property contributed to the injury include falling debris or unsecured materials from a building or worksite
Multiple parties may share fault. Determining who was in control of the vehicle and where the injury occurred helps assign the correct insurance coverage and the responsible party.
What Happens If the Driver Left the Accident Scene?
California law requires a driver who injures a pedestrian to stop, provide identifying information, and provide reasonable assistance. In a hit-and-run pedestrian accident, if there is any hope of catching the person, the investigation should include ordering the police report, locating witnesses, checking nearby homes and businesses for video that may have got a glimpse of the license plate.
Photos of the roadway, debris, vehicle parts, and any visible paint transfer are also helpful. Ring cameras upload their footage to a cloud, but some video systems overwrite older footage, so it helps to request video evidence as soon as possible.
Medical treatment should not wait for the driver to be identified. Many pedestrians injured in a hit-and-run accident use their own health insurance right away. If you have auto insurance, you may also have Medical Payments coverage (often called “Med Pay”) that can help pay medical bills after a crash, regardless of fault.
If the driver cannot be located, uninsured motorist coverage might still apply if certain conditions are met, such as physical contact with the vehicle, reporting the accident to law enforcement within 24 hours, and submitting a sworn statement to the insurer within 30 days.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians and bystanders can suffer serious harm even at lower speeds. Injuries often include:
- Fractures (legs, hips, arms, ribs, collarbone, pelvis)
- Head and brain injuries, including concussion and traumatic brain injury
- Neck, spine, and back injuries, including herniated discs
- Internal injuries, including organ damage and internal bleeding
- Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains, tears) that limit movement and sleep
- Lacerations, road rash, and scarring
- Knee, shoulder, and other joint injuries that may require surgery
- Nerve damage, including numbness or chronic pain
- Psychological injuries, including anxiety, sleep disruption, and post-traumatic stress
If you were injured while walking in Folsom, you are not alone in dealing with this. Going through a pedestrian injury can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially with all the different types of insurance policies and evidence. We are here to help—reach out for a free consultation today and let us support you through this process.
What Types of Compensation Are Available in a Pedestrian Case?
Damages in pedestrian cases typically include economic and non-economic losses.
Economic special damages can include:
- Past and future medical expenses (ER care, imaging, surgery, rehab, medications)
- Future care needs (follow-up treatment, in-home help, assistive devices, home modifications when needed)
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Out-of-pocket costs tied to treatment and recovery (travel to appointments, prescriptions, medical supplies)
- Damage to personal property (phone, clothing, glasses, etc.)
Non-economic general damages can include:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring, disfigurement, or lasting limitations
- Loss of consortium (for a spouse or registered domestic partner, when supported by the facts)
If the crash unfortunately results in death, certain family members (or a personal representative on their behalf) may pursue wrongful death damages. Wrongful death damages are separate from the decedent’s own survival claim, which is limited by statute. If your loved one died as a bystander or pedestrian in Folsom, contact us today for help.
Call and Talk with Child & Jackson About Your Folsom Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian accidents often result in some of the most severe injuries. If you have been struck by a car while walking, it is vital to consult an experienced trial lawyer promptly.
Our team of Folsom pedestrian accident attorneys has extensive experience to handle every aspect of your case. Contact Child & Jackson today or fill out our online form for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Folsom Pedestrian Accidents
How long do you have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit?
According to Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 335.1, the typical deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in many pedestrian injury cases is two years from the date of the collision.
Do I have to report the accident to the DMV?
California DMV reporting rules can apply even when you were walking. An SR-1 report must be submitted within 10 days if anyone was injured (even a minor injury) or if property damage exceeds $1,000.
What if the driver says I “came out of nowhere”?
This is a common defense in pedestrian claims. Key factors often include the type of crosswalk, whether the view was obstructed, and whether the driver was turning, distracted, or driving at an unreasonable speed for the conditions.
Can a traffic-law violation help prove fault?
California rules presume a person violated safety laws without due care if the injury caused was the type the law aims to prevent. The driver can contest fault by proving the violation didn’t cause the injury or by showing a legal excuse.