Costa Mesa Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Fighting for Your Full Compensation

Every year in California, thousands of pedestrians are struck by vehicles while simply trying to cross the street, walk to work, or enjoy an evening stroll. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, pedestrian fatalities have been rising steadily, with Orange County experiencing hundreds of pedestrian injuries and dozens of deaths annually. In Costa Mesa, busy intersections along Bristol Street, Harbor Boulevard, and Newport Boulevard create daily hazards for people on foot.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Costa Mesa, you’re facing a life-altering crisis. Medical bills are piling up, you can’t work, and the insurance company is already calling, often offering settlements that don’t come close to covering your actual damages. This is exactly when you need an experienced pedestrian accident attorney who will fight for every dollar you deserve.

At The Accident Network Law Group, attorney Damoun A. Yazdi has spent 12 years battling insurance companies to secure maximum compensation for injured pedestrians throughout Orange County. When you call our firm, you speak directly with Attorney Yazdi, not a case manager or paralegal. We’re available 24/7, we speak English and Spanish (Se habla español), and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Understanding Pedestrian Accidents in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa’s layout creates unique pedestrian dangers. The city’s mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial districts like South Coast Plaza, and major thoroughfares means heavy vehicle traffic constantly intersects with pedestrian activity. Pedestrian accidents happen for many reasons, but the vast majority are preventable. Drivers have a legal duty under California law to exercise reasonable care around pedestrians, especially in marked crosswalks and near schools.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Driver Negligence:

• Distracted driving (texting, phone calls, eating)
• Speeding in residential or commercial zones
• Failing to yield at crosswalks
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Making unsafe turns without checking for pedestrians
• Backing out of parking spaces without looking

Dangerous Road Conditions:

• Poorly marked crosswalks
• Inadequate lighting at night
• Missing or faded signage
• Construction zones without proper pedestrian accommodations
• Broken sidewalks are forcing pedestrians into roadways

Vehicle-Specific Issues:

• Large trucks with significant blind spots
• Delivery vehicles making frequent stops
• Buses pulling in and out of stops

What Determines Fault in a Pedestrian Accident?

Determining fault in a pedestrian accident is rarely as simple as “car hits pedestrian, driver is responsible.” California law recognizes that both drivers and pedestrians have responsibilities to act safely.

California Law Protections for Pedestrians

California Vehicle Code provides critical protections:

CVC § 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Even if a pedestrian is jaywalking, drivers must exercise due care and cannot strike someone simply because they’re crossing unlawfully.

CVC § 21954 states that when crossing outside a crosswalk, pedestrians must yield to vehicles. However, drivers still have a duty to avoid collisions when possible.

Comparative Negligence in California

California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means that even if you were partially at fault for your accident, you can still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Example: You suffered $100,000 in damages after being hit by a car while crossing mid-block. The jury determines you were 20% at fault for jaywalking, and the driver was 80% at fault for speeding and distraction. You would recover $80,000 (80% of your total damages).

This is why having an experienced Costa Mesa pedestrian accident lawyer is critical. Insurance companies will try to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce their payout. Attorney Damoun Yazdi knows how to counter these tactics with evidence, witness testimony, and expert accident reconstruction.

Can I Recover If I Was Jaywalking?

Yes. Jaywalking, crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk, does not automatically bar you from recovering compensation in California. While jaywalking may be a factor in determining comparative fault, drivers still have a legal duty to avoid hitting pedestrians, even those crossing unlawfully.

Even if you were jaywalking, your attorney can argue the driver was speeding, distracted, violated traffic laws, or failed to exercise due care. You may be assigned a percentage of fault, but you can still recover the majority of your damages.

An experienced attorney can minimize your assigned percentage of fault by gathering evidence of driver negligence, demonstrating poor road design or lack of accessible crosswalks, presenting witness testimony, and using accident reconstruction experts.

Bottom line: Even if you were jaywalking, do not assume you have no case. Call The Accident Network Law Group for a free consultation.

Types of Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are among the most catastrophic collisions because pedestrians have no protection. Unlike vehicle occupants who benefit from seat belts and airbags, pedestrians absorb the full impact with their bodies.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): When struck, pedestrians often hit the vehicle’s hood or windshield, then strike the pavement head-first. Even “minor” concussions can result in long-term cognitive impairment, memory loss, and chronic headaches. Severe TBIs may require lifelong care.

Spinal Cord Injuries: Impact can fracture vertebrae or damage the spinal cord, leading to partial or complete paralysis requiring extensive surgery, rehabilitation, and mobility devices.

Broken Bones and Fractures: Common fractures include legs, arms, hips, pelvis, and ribs. Hip and pelvic fractures are particularly serious in elderly victims.

Internal Organ Damage: Blunt force trauma can cause internal bleeding, ruptured organs, and life-threatening injuries.

Soft Tissue Injuries: Torn ligaments, muscle damage, and herniated discs can result in chronic pain and long-term disability.

Lacerations and Scarring: Severe cuts and abrasions may require skin grafts and plastic surgery, resulting in permanent scarring.

Psychological Trauma: Many survivors develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and fear of traffic.

Pedestrian collisions frequently result in permanent disability, chronic pain, loss of mobility, inability to return to work, and need for ongoing medical treatment. All translating into significant damages.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?

California law allows injured pedestrians to recover both economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault party.

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

• Medical Expenses: Emergency room treatment, ambulance transport, hospital stays, surgeries, diagnostic imaging, prescription medications, physical therapy, medical equipment, future medical care, and in-home nursing
• Lost Wages: Income lost while recovering, lost earning capacity if you can’t return to your previous job, and loss of benefits
• Property Damage: Damaged clothing, glasses, phone, or other personal items
• Other Costs: Home modifications (wheelchair ramps, bathroom alterations), transportation to medical appointments, and household help

Non-Economic Damages (Personal Losses)

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries
• Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish
• Loss of Consortium: If your injuries prevent normal relationships with your spouse or family
• Disfigurement and Scarring: Permanent scarring or disfigurement impacting quality of life
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to engage in hobbies, activities, or daily tasks you once enjoyed

Punitive Damages (In Rare Cases)

If the driver’s conduct was particularly egregious, such as a DUI hit-and-run or intentional harm, the court may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct.

How Much Is My Case Worth?

Every case is unique. The value depends on the severity of injuries, medical bills (past and future), lost income and earning capacity, degree of fault assigned to each party, quality of evidence and legal representation, and insurance policy limits.

At The Accident Network Law Group, we thoroughly investigate your case, consult with medical experts, and calculate the full value of your claim, not just what the insurance company offers in their first lowball settlement.

Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

After a pedestrian accident, you might wonder whether hiring a lawyer is necessary. Here’s why you need experienced legal representation:

Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side

The at-fault driver’s insurance company has one goal: to minimize the payout. Their tactics include:

• Calling you immediately to get a recorded statement (which they’ll use against you)
• Offering a quick, low settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries
• Arguing you were primarily at fault
• Disputing the severity of your injuries or claiming they were pre-existing
• Delaying the process, hoping you’ll accept less out of desperation

Without a lawyer, you’re negotiating against teams of adjusters and attorneys whose job is to pay you as little as possible.

We Handle the Complexity

Proving fault, establishing damages, and negotiating fair compensation requires thorough accident investigation, collection and preservation of evidence, accident reconstruction experts, medical expert testimony, knowledge of California traffic laws, understanding of comparative negligence, and negotiation skills honed over years of practice.

Attorney Damoun Yazdi brings all of these elements to your case with 12 years of personal injury experience and trial skills from his background as a Law Clerk at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

The Accident Network Law Group works on a contingency fee basis:

• No upfront costs
• No hourly fees
• No out-of-pocket expenses
• We only get paid if you get paid

This allows injured pedestrians to access top-tier legal representation without financial risk.

We Handle Everything While You Heal

When you hire our firm, we handle all communication with insurance companies, investigation and evidence gathering, coordination with medical providers, filing all necessary legal documents, negotiation with the at-fault party’s insurer, and litigation if a fair settlement cannot be reached.

You get to focus on your health and your family while we take care of the rest.

What to Do If You’re Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian

The steps you take immediately afterward can significantly impact your health and your legal claim.

1. Call 911 Immediately

Even if your injuries seem minor, always call for police and medical help. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, may not be immediately apparent. A police report creates an official record of the accident, which is critical evidence.

2. Get Medical Attention

Go to the hospital or see a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel “okay.” Delayed medical treatment gives the insurance company ammunition to argue your injuries aren’t serious. Follow all treatment recommendations and attend every appointment.

3. Document the Scene

If you’re able, or if a witness can help:

• Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, the vehicle, road conditions, and any visible damage
• Get contact information from witnesses
• Note the location, time, and weather conditions
• Write down everything you remember about the accident while it’s fresh

4. Do NOT Speak to the Insurance Company

The driver’s insurance company may contact you within hours. Do not give a recorded statement. Politely decline and tell them you’ll have your attorney contact them. Anything you say can be twisted and used to reduce your compensation.

5. Preserve Evidence

Keep all medical records, bills, receipts, and documentation related to the accident. Take photos of your injuries as they heal. Keep a journal documenting your pain levels, limitations, and emotional state.

6. Contact a Costa Mesa Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

The sooner you have legal representation, the better. Call The Accident Network Law Group for a free consultation.

The Claims Process: What to Expect

Understanding the legal process can reduce stress and help you make informed decisions.

Step 1: Free Consultation

Your case begins with a free, no-obligation consultation. Attorney Damoun Yazdi will listen to your story, review available evidence, assess the strength of your claim, explain your legal options, and provide an honest evaluation of your case value.

Step 2: Investigation and Evidence Gathering

We conduct a thorough investigation, obtaining the official police report, interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, consulting with accident reconstruction experts, gathering medical records and bills, and documenting all damages.

Step 3: Demand and Negotiation

Once we’ve gathered all evidence and you’ve reached maximum medical improvement, we send a formal demand letter to the insurance company outlining the facts, evidence of negligence, your injuries and treatment, damages, and demand for full compensation. We then negotiate with the insurance company to secure maximum settlement.

Step 4: Settlement or Litigation

If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we’re prepared to file a lawsuit and take your case to court. Most cases settle before trial, but having an attorney willing to litigate gives us significant leverage in negotiations.

Most pedestrian accident claims resolve within 6 to 18 months, though complex cases may take longer.

Why Choose The Accident Network Law Group?

Experienced Representation: Attorney Damoun A. Yazdi has 12 years of experience fighting exclusively for personal injury victims, with trial skills honed as a Law Clerk at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Direct Access to Your Attorney: You work directly with Attorney Damoun Yazdi, not paralegals or case managers. You’ll have his cell phone number and speak with him about your case, concerns, and goals.

We Fight Insurance Companies: Attorney Yazdi knows insurance company tactics and how to counter them to level the playing field and maximize your compensation.

Bilingual Services: We serve clients in both English and Spanish. Se habla español.

Available 24/7: You can reach us any time, day or night, 365 days a year.

No Recovery, No Fee: You pay nothing upfront, and nothing unless we win your case.

Local Knowledge: We know Costa Mesa’s dangerous intersections, local courts, and Orange County insurance companies.

Don’t Wait: Statute of Limitations

California law imposes strict deadlines. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to compensation, no matter how strong your case.

Important exceptions:

• If the victim is a minor, the statute of limitations may be tolled until they turn 18
• If the accident involved a government entity (city bus, government vehicle), you may have as little as six months to file a claim

Don’t wait. Contact The Accident Network Law Group as soon as possible after your accident to protect your rights.

Get the Compensation You Deserve

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Costa Mesa, you don’t have to face the insurance companies alone. The Accident Network Law Group is here to fight for you.

Attorney Damoun A. Yazdi has the experience, trial skills, and dedication to secure maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and all other damages. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win. We’re available 24/7, and we speak English and Spanish.

Our main office is located at 2900 Bristol Street, Suite A-104, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Right in the heart of the community we serve.

Call today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every pedestrian accident case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. For specific legal advice about your case, please contact The Accident Network Law Group for a free consultation.