Fresno Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the driver was operating a government vehicle, you must file an administrative claim with the relevant agency within six months. Waiting too long forfeits your right to recover. Call Culver Legal as soon as possible after the accident.

Yes. California is a pure comparative fault state. If you were 30% at fault and your total damages are $500,000, you can still recover $350,000. Fault reduces your recovery but does not eliminate it. Insurance adjusters will attempt to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce their payout. Our attorneys contest those arguments with evidence.

Uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy may cover your injuries even if you were on foot. California Insurance Code requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage. Hit-and-run accidents may also qualify under a UM policy. Our attorneys will review all available insurance coverage to identify every source of compensation.

No. California law prohibits using immigration status in personal injury cases. Your status has no bearing on your right to file a claim or recover compensation. Culver Legal is bilingual and represents clients regardless of immigration status.

Location matters. If your accident occurred at an intersection with a history of pedestrian crashes, near a school zone with inadequate signage, or at a crosswalk the city failed to maintain, there may be a government liability claim in addition to the driver’s liability. These claims are time-sensitive. Administrative claims against government entities must be filed within six months of the incident.

Yes. If the driver fled and cannot be identified, you may be able to file an uninsured motorist claim under your own auto policy or a household member’s policy. California law requires insurers to offer UM coverage, and hit-and-run incidents are typically covered. An attorney can help you identify all available insurance sources.

Possibly. If a business’s driveway design, signage, or landscaping contributed to reduced visibility or dangerous traffic patterns, the business or property owner may share liability. Premises liability law allows claims against property owners when a dangerous condition on or adjacent to their property contributes to an injury.

Not necessarily. California’s Freedom to Walk Act decriminalized crossing outside a marked crosswalk when done safely. Even if you crossed mid-block, your recovery is reduced only by your percentage of fault under the state’s pure comparative fault system. If the driver was reckless, speeding, or distracted, your recoverable damages may still be substantial.

Straightforward cases that settle without litigation can be resolved in several months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, or uncooperative insurers may take one to two years or longer, especially if the case goes to trial at Fresno County Superior Court. We keep you informed at every stage and will advise you when a settlement offer is fair versus when it is worth fighting for more.

Many personal injury attorneys, including Culver Legal, can connect you with medical providers who will treat on a lien, meaning they are paid from your settlement rather than out of pocket. Do not delay treatment, waiting to sort out payment. Gaps in your medical record can seriously damage your claim.

Yes. California’s comparative fault rules mean you can still file and recover even if you were not in a marked crosswalk at the time of the crash. Your compensation may be reduced if your own actions contributed to the accident, but a driver still owes a duty of care to pedestrians in many circumstances beyond marked crosswalks. The specific facts matter, which is why speaking with an attorney early is important.

Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents may be covered under your own uninsured motorist (UM) policy if you have one. An attorney can also investigate whether any other liable parties exist, such as a property owner, a government agency responsible for a dangerous intersection, or a commercial employer if the driver was on the job. Do not assume you have no options because the driver fled.

Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, you have two years from the date of injury. If a government entity bears any responsibility, such as a dangerous crosswalk design or a city bus, you must file an administrative claim within six months. Missing that six-month window can bar your claim entirely. Contact an attorney as soon as possible so deadlines can be identified and protected.

No. California law prohibits using immigration status against you in a personal injury case. Regardless of documentation status, you have the same right to file a pedestrian accident claim as any California resident. Your status will not be raised in court proceedings.

If a driver was operating a vehicle in the course of their employment at the time of the crash, their employer may be held liable under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. Commercial vehicles, delivery drivers, and drivers on work errands often involve employer liability. This can significantly increase the available insurance coverage. An attorney can identify all responsible parties during the investigation phase.

California’s pure comparative fault rule means partial fault reduces your recovery but does not eliminate it. If a court finds you were 30% responsible for the accident and your damages total $300,000, you would recover $210,000. You can file and recover even if you are found substantially at fault. The insurer will argue your fault percentage as high as possible to reduce the payout, which is why legal representation during negotiations matters.