When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, the consequences are almost always severe. Unlike drivers and passengers protected by steel frames and airbags, pedestrians absorb the full force of a collision with nothing between them and the road. The injuries are often catastrophic, the recovery is long, and the financial toll can be devastating. If you or someone you love was hit by a car in Santa Clarita or the surrounding areas of Southern California, you need an attorney who understands how to build a strong pedestrian accident claim and fight for everything you are owed.
At Miller Wilmers APC, our personal injury attorneys represent injured pedestrians throughout Santa Clarita and the greater Los Angeles area. We are committed to holding negligent drivers and other responsible parties accountable. We do not collect a fee unless we win your case. Call us at (661) 310-1357 to discuss your situation.
Selecting the right attorney after a pedestrian accident is one of the most important decisions you will make. Miller Wilmers APC is not a firm that parachuted into Santa Clarita to handle cases. Founders Caleb and Justin are California natives with deep roots in this community, and they built this firm specifically to serve the people they grew up alongside. Before representing injury victims, they spent their early careers defending large corporations, which gave them an insider understanding of how insurance carriers think, how they calculate offers, and where their defenses are weakest. That knowledge now works entirely in your favor.
Our case results reflect a documented history of turning modest insurance offers into multi-million-dollar recoveries for clients who deserved far more than they were initially offered. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.
Most pedestrian accidents are caused by driver negligence. The most common contributing factors include:
Miller Wilmers APC represents injured pedestrians throughout Santa Clarita, handling a wide range of accident scenarios caused by negligent drivers and unsafe conditions. Our team understands that no two cases are alike. That’s why we tailor our approach based on how and where the incident occurred. Below are some of the most common types of pedestrian accident cases we handle.
Crosswalks and intersections are among the most dangerous locations for pedestrians in Santa Clarita. Drivers making right turns on red, drivers running yellow and red lights, and drivers who fail to check for pedestrians before proceeding through an intersection cause a significant share of serious pedestrian injuries. Even in marked crosswalks where pedestrians have the right of way, collisions occur with alarming frequency.
Hit-and-run accidents leave pedestrian victims in a particularly difficult position. The at-fault driver has fled, and victims are left wondering whether they can still pursue compensation. The answer in California is often yes. Uninsured motorist coverage, if included in your own auto policy or a household member’s policy, may provide a path to recovery even when the driver is never identified. If the driver is later found, additional claims may become available.
Parking lots create unique hazards for pedestrians. Vehicles travel in multiple directions, visibility is often limited by parked cars, and drivers are frequently distracted while searching for spaces. Pedestrian accidents in parking lots can involve not only the driver but also the property owner if inadequate design or maintenance contributed to the collision.
Children are among the most vulnerable pedestrians, and accidents near schools and bus stops carry devastating consequences. Drivers who exceed school zone speed limits, fail to stop for school buses, or simply are not paying attention in areas where children are present may face heightened liability for the harm they cause.
Not all pedestrian accidents happen in crosswalks or at intersections. Drivers who lose control of their vehicles, mount curbs, or cut through sidewalk areas may strike pedestrians who had every reason to believe they were in a safe location. These cases often involve serious questions of driver negligence and may also implicate road design or signage issues.
The injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents range from serious to life-altering. Victims we represent have suffered:
The long-term costs associated with these injuries, including ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, lost income, and diminished quality of life, must all be reflected in any compensation claim.
Determining liability in a pedestrian accident case requires a careful investigation of all contributing factors. Potentially liable parties may include:
Identifying every responsible party helps to secure your potential recovery and ensures that no source of compensation is left on the table.
The steps you take after a pedestrian accident directly affect both your health and the strength of your legal claim. If you are physically able to do so:
Understanding your rights under California law is critical after a pedestrian accident. Miller Wilmers APC helps injured pedestrians in Santa Clarita navigate these legal standards, identify violations, and build strong claims against negligent drivers. The following laws often play a key role in determining liability and compensation.
California Vehicle Code Section 21950 requires drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. This obligation applies even when the pedestrian is not in the driver’s immediate path, and drivers must slow or stop as necessary to allow pedestrians to cross safely. A violation of this provision is strong evidence of driver negligence in a personal injury claim.
Section 21954 addresses pedestrians who cross outside of marked crosswalks or at locations other than intersections. Under this provision, pedestrians crossing outside of designated areas must yield the right of way to vehicles. However, this does not eliminate the driver’s duty to exercise reasonable care. Even a pedestrian who was technically crossing unlawfully may still have a valid claim if the driver failed to exercise reasonable care to avoid the collision.
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means that a pedestrian’s compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault, but they are not barred from recovering entirely.
If a pedestrian is found to be 30% at fault for the accident, they can still recover 70% of their total damages. Insurance companies frequently attempt to exaggerate the pedestrian’s share of fault to reduce their payout. An experienced attorney challenges those characterizations and works to keep your fault percentage as low as the evidence supports.
A successful pedestrian accident claim can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses, including:
In California, personal injury claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of the accident. Claims against a government entity, such as a city or county responsible for road design or maintenance, carry a much shorter deadline. You must file a government tort claim within six months of the incident before any lawsuit can proceed.
Missing either deadline can permanently bar you from pursuing compensation, regardless of how strong your case may be. Contacting an attorney as early as possible after your accident ensures that all applicable deadlines are identified and met.
If you were struck by a vehicle in Santa Clarita or anywhere in Southern California, Miller Wilmers APC is ready to fight for you. We represent injured pedestrians on a contingency basis, offer free consultations, and bring a serious commitment to every case we handle.
Contact us online or at (661) 310-1357 to speak with a Santa Clarita pedestrian accident lawyer about your case today.
Fault depends on the specific circumstances of the accident. Drivers owe pedestrians a duty of reasonable care, and many accidents result from driver negligence such as distracted driving, speeding, or failure to yield.
However, pedestrians also have obligations under California law, including yielding to traffic when crossing outside of crosswalks. California’s comparative negligence rules mean that fault can be shared between multiple parties, and compensation is adjusted accordingly.
Yes. California’s pure comparative negligence rule allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Your total damages are simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If your damages total $200,000 and you are found 25% at fault, you can still recover $150,000. An attorney can help ensure that your share of fault is not inflated by the insurance company’s characterization of events.
Not always. California law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, but pedestrians who cross outside of designated crosswalks or against traffic signals are required to yield to vehicles. That said, drivers always have a duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid striking pedestrians, regardless of where they are crossing. A pedestrian who was crossing unlawfully may still have a valid claim if the driver failed to exercise that reasonable care.
Hit-and-run accidents are unfortunately common. If the driver is not identified, you may still be able to recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage or through a household member’s policy if you are covered as a resident relative. If the driver is later identified, direct claims become available. An attorney can help you evaluate all available sources of recovery based on your specific insurance situation.
Nothing upfront. Miller Wilmers APC handles pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is also free. Cost should never be a reason to delay getting legal representation after a serious injury.
If the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage is insufficient to fully compensate you for your injuries, your own underinsured motorist coverage may provide additional recovery. In cases where a government entity or employer shares liability, additional sources of compensation may also be available. An attorney can identify every avenue of recovery and pursue each one strategically.
Yes. California law allows surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim when a loved one is killed due to another party’s negligence. Eligible claimants typically include spouses, domestic partners, and children. A wrongful death claim can seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of household services, and the loss of love, companionship, and guidance. Call (661) 310-1357 to speak with our team about your family’s options.
You are not required to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and doing so before consulting with an attorney is generally not in your interest. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that can minimize your claim or shift blame onto you. Let an attorney handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf from the start.
