Maison Law helps pedestrians when they’re injured in accidents throughout California. Getting hit by a car while walking is one of the most serious types of accidents–and sadly, it’s more common than you might think. The statistics bear this out, but it’s still stressful–painful injuries, time away from work, and steep medical bills– and something you shouldn’t have to go through alone. Our California pedestrian accident lawyers are here to help you understand your options and stand up for what you’re owed. Let’s start with a free consultation.
How Many Pedestrian Accidents Happen Per Year in California?
Because pedestrian crashes are often so serious, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) uses the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) and the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) to keep track of them. Over the past five years, California has seen an average of nearly 12,000 pedestrian accidents each year that led to injuries or deaths.
- 2020 – 11,154 accidents
- 2021 – 11,445 accidents
- 2022 – 12,152 accidents
- 2023 – 12,340 accidents
- 2024 – 11,547 accidents
This isn’t just a large number–it’s a sign of how dangerous these accidents can be. And with so many busy cities and densely packed neighborhoods across the state, the risk of these accidents happening stays high. If you find yourself in this situation, you probably have a lot of questions–starting with whether or not you need a lawyer. It depends on your particular circumstances, but our team at Maison Law can:
- Walk you through what happened and break down your legal options in simple, plain language.
- Handle the investigation, collect the right evidence, and deal with the insurance company–so you don’t have to.
- Stand up for your rights and push back when the insurance company tries to offer less than what your recovery truly requires.
You never want to be involved in pedestrian accidents, but again, it’s a harsh reality about living in California and getting around on foot. And unfortunately, these accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries.
How Many Fatal Pedestrian Accidents Are There in California?
Unfortunately, what separates a pedestrian accident from others is how serious they are for you, the victim. It’s not hard to see why–you have virtually no protection against a moving car. What’s more, it doesn’t necessarily matter where or how the accident happens–or even how fast the car is moving. When you’re hit, it’s going to result in pretty serious–even fatal–injuries. According to SWITRS, California has averaged:
- 1,068.4 fatal pedestrian accidents over the last five years.
Here’s the breakdown of this average per year:
- 2020 – 1,043 accidents
- 2021 – 1,169 accidents
- 2022 – 1,230 accidents
- 2023 – 1,136 accidents
- 2024 – 764 accidents
Fortunately, 2024 saw a nearly 33% decrease in fatal pedestrian accidents throughout the state. Yet, any pedestrian accident carries the risk of turning fatal because of the following factors:
- Direct impact where your body absorbs all of the impact from the moving car.
- The faster a car is going, the more likely the accident is to be fatal.
- Fatal injuries often involve the head, chest, or spine.
- Getting help too late can make injuries worse or deadly.
- Crowded streets and distracted drivers increase the danger for people walking.
All of these things are present in a lot of pedestrian accidents in California. But it’s important to look deeper.
What California Cities Have the Most Pedestrian Accidents?
There’s an obvious issue with pedestrians–the more people and the busier a place is, the more likely it is that there will be an accident. Naturally, certain parts of the state lead the way with these accidents, and not surprisingly, they happen in these more densely populated areas.
According to SWITRS, the cities with the most pedestrian accidents in 2024 were:
- Los Angeles – 1,363 accidents
- San Francisco – 648 accidents
- San Diego – 542 accidents
- San Jose – 296 accidents
- Sacramento – 285 accidents
The first thing that jumps out at us with these numbers isn’t all that surprising–Los Angeles has nearly double the number of pedestrian accidents because it has the most people. But again, these accidents can happen anywhere, at any time because of universal things like:
- Drivers not stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks or intersections can easily cause a crash.
- Distracted drivers not seeing someone walking until it’s too late.
- Speeding or reckless driving, especially in busy areas.
- Impaired drivers reacting slower and often miss seeing people in their path.
- Poorly planned intersections or crosswalks that make walking across the street more dangerous.
Even when pedestrians follow the rules and stay alert–especially in busy areas like downtown LA–accidents can still happen. These crashes can lead to serious injuries, no matter how careful you are. But the reality is that certain pedestrians are more vulnerable to these accidents.
Who is Vulnerable to Pedestrian Accidents in California?
Across California, many people get around on foot–whether by choice or because it’s their only option. But walking comes with risks, especially when it puts you in close contact with fast-moving traffic.
Some groups are especially vulnerable in these situations, none more than older pedestrians. Data from the SWITRS shows that incidents involving older adults have been rising in some areas over the last few years:
- 2020 – 1,690 accidents
- 2021 – 1,679 accidents
- 2022 – 1,857 accidents
- 2023 – 1,817 accidents
- 2024 – 1,740 accidents
The numbers vary by city, the dangers are consistent. Here’s why older adults are more often involved in these accidents:
- Mobility issues and challenges
- Hearing and vision issues
- Slower reaction times
- Poor crosswalk designs
Obviously, these factors are going to make it difficult for older people in California and unfortunately makes them more vulnerable. But once more, these accidents can happen to anyone. If you’re the one that’s hurt, you can reach out to our team for support and guidance.
At Maison Law, we’re here to make things easier. If you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident anywhere in California, we’ll walk you through your legal options and what steps come next. Set up a free consultation today.
