Fremont Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
At Maison Law Accident and Injury Lawyers of Fremont, we believe that our clients deserve strong representation and support as they navigate the California legal system after a Fremont pedestrian accident. With years of experience handling claims for victims of Fremont accidents, we will provide you with the knowledge and resources that you need to successfully move forward with a claim. Contact us today for the help you deserve, as well as a no-obligation case review.
Should I Hire an Attorney After a Fremont Pedestrian Accident?
In cases where a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle and sustains minor injuries, they may not need a lawyer to file a claim. However, it is important to keep in mind that pedestrians have virtually no protection from harm in an accident and are likely to sustain serious injuries and a variety of other damages.
In cases where you experience extensive medical bills, time away from work, and property damage, it may be time to enlist in the help of a skilled attorney. Insurance companies and the other party’s lawyer will do whatever they can to deny your claim or offer you much less than you deserve in financial recovery. We can:
- Help you make sense of what happened and walk you through your legal options.
- Handle the investigation and insurance issues so you’re not stuck chasing paperwork.
- Stand up for your rights if you’re being pressured into a quick or unfair settlement.
You should never have to feel intimidated or accept an offer that is lower than you expected for your damages. At Maison Law Accident and Injury Lawyers of Fremont, we will attempt to help you recover maximum compensation so that you can get back on your feet following a pedestrian accident.
Fremont Pedestrian Accident Dangers
With so many sights to witness in Fremont, from museums to walking trails, there are endless places for pedestrians to access by foot. Unfortunately, there are many situations where a Fremont pedestrian has no choice but to enter traffic where large trucks and passenger vehicles share the roads. Every year, handfuls of victims are injured or lose their lives in pedestrian accidents in Fremont due to negligent drivers.
The Fremont Police Department issued a statement in 2023 that pedestrian accidents continue to happen and actually account for 25% of all traffic deaths in California alone.
Furthermore, recent data collected by California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) in 2023 showed that:
- 46 total pedestrian accidents occurred in Fremont.
Out of these collisions, four people were tragically killed and 42 sustained injuries.
Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Usually Happen in Fremont?
If you walk around Fremont often—especially through busier parts of town—you already know that not every area is designed with safety in mind. Some parts of the city put pedestrians in tricky situations, especially when drivers aren’t paying attention. Below are some of the most common spots where pedestrian accidents tend to happen:
- Intersections – Places like Mowry Avenue, Beacon Avenue, and Walnut Avenue—particularly along stretches of Fremont Boulevard—are heavily traveled by both cars and people on foot. Whether you’re heading into Centerville or navigating the Irvington district, intersections in these zones are often the site of serious crashes involving pedestrians.
- Fast food parking lots and drive-thrus – If you’ve ever walked past the In-N-Out on Mowry or tried to cross in front of the Taco Bell in Warm Springs, you’ve probably noticed the chaos. Drivers are focused on menus or maneuvering around tight parking lots—not necessarily on people walking nearby. That mix often leads to close calls, and in too many cases, actual collisions.
- Around BART Stations – Fremont’s two BART stations—Fremont and Warm Springs/South Fremont—see heavy foot traffic, especially during morning and evening commutes. Pedestrians are often navigating limited walkways, crossing drop-off zones, or walking alongside busy streets with cars zipping by.
- Schools – Streets near schools like Washington High, American High, and Irvington High tend to get congested during drop-off and pick-up hours. It’s not just students at risk—parents and younger siblings are walking nearby, too.
- Shopping places – Pacific Commons and Fremont Hub have large lots and scattered crosswalks, but they don’t always make it easy for pedestrians to move around safely. Cars may back out suddenly or speed through lanes, making these retail areas a common setting for accidents involving walkers.
It’s unfortunate to realize that you’re vulnerable to accidents while you’re walking around the city, but staying alert and aware at these places (and others) can help you. While you can never totally avoid an accident as a pedestrian, you should also make yourself aware of what you could be facing.
Common Injuries Suffered in Pedestrian Accidents
When a vehicle and a pedestrian are involved in an accident with each other, the results can be devastating. Defenseless pedestrians are often left with life-altering and even long-lasting injuries that can follow them throughout their lives. These injuries can make it impossible to enjoy everyday life or return to the workplace.
Here are just a few examples of serious injuries that pedestrians sustain in Fremont accidents every year:
- Head/Brain Injuries: Head and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be incredibly severe injuries that affect a victim for years to come. These injuries can cause symptoms including memory loss, mood swings, seizures, and lack of consciousness. Some of these injuries are so severe that victims could miss out on time at work or be forced to quit activities that they once enjoyed before their accident.
- Neck Injuries: Whiplash and other serious neck injuries can occur when a victim is thrown to the ground in the event of a pedestrian accident. It can be a long road to recovery when you suffer a neck injury.
- Back/Spinal Injuries: It is not uncommon for pedestrian accidents to end in back or spinal cord injuries. Back muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be stretched and torn in an accident, which can lead to lifelong back pain. Furthermore, a spinal cord can be fractured or dislocated. In some cases, permanent paralysis and other disability can result.
- Broken Bones: In a pedestrian accident, it is common for a pedestrian to sustain broken bones. Some of the most common broken bones suffered in these accidents include legs, hands, knees, and ankles.
- Musculoskeletal Injuries: These injuries, which are incredibly common in a pedestrian accident, include bone, muscle, and soft tissue damage. Many victims who sustain a sprain or dislocation due to an accident will live with these injuries for weeks and could even develop chronic pain.
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Fremont?
Accidents with pedestrians don’t happen at random—they usually trace back to one or more careless decisions. Even in a city like Fremont, where a lot of people walk or use public transit, road design and human behavior can create real danger. A few of the most common reasons include:
- Distractions – Phones, GPS apps, food, conversations—there are endless ways drivers lose focus. And all it takes is a second of inattention for them to miss someone crossing the road.
- Failure to yield – California law requires drivers to stop for people in marked crosswalks, but that doesn’t always happen. Whether it’s impatience or ignorance, failure to yield is a major reason pedestrians get hit.
- Speeding – Speed limits exist for a reason. In neighborhoods and shopping areas, drivers going too fast often don’t have enough time to stop when someone steps off the curb.
- Poor lighting – Many pedestrian accidents happen after dark or in bad weather. Streets without adequate lighting or faded crosswalks only make matters worse.
- Driving under the influence – Alcohol or drugs cloud judgment and slow reaction time. Unfortunately, impaired drivers are still a problem in Fremont, and pedestrians are often the ones who suffer most.
- Poor infrastructure – Some areas of Fremont still lack well-maintained sidewalks, visible crosswalks, or safe paths for walkers. When you’re forced to walk near moving traffic, the risk goes up.
No matter how careful you are, you can fall victim to an accident due to one of the above factors. This is because a lot of these things are out of your control. But you’re not powerless in this situation. You can use the legal process to get financial support for your injuries.
Damages Following Fremont Pedestrian Accidents
The cost of treatment for pedestrian accidents can be incredibly extensive depending on the accident’s severity. Unfortunately, many injured pedestrians will miss out on time in the workplace, which means that it will be even more difficult to keep up with these mounting bills. Requesting financial support from the insurance company may not be as easy as it sounds. Many insurers will try to pay you as little as possible in a settlement or try to deny your claim altogether.
A personal injury lawyer will be able to help you obtain compensation for all potential damages that you have suffered or will suffer in the future due to your injuries. These include some of the following:
- Current medical bills and those that you expect to incur due to your injuries
- Permanent disability and disfigurement costs
- Emotional distress and physical pain damages
- Loss of wages, future lost income, and loss of benefits from missed time at work
- Travel costs to and from your doctor
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
In cases where a pedestrian’s life has been lost due to an accident, a family may also be able to obtain financial support through a wrongful death claim. Having a compassionate legal advocate on your side can ensure that you and your family get the financial support that you are entitled to during these difficult times of grief.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
After a Fremont pedestrian accident, it is important that you keep your health and well-being in mind before anything else. After you have received medical attention, speaking with an attorney can be beneficial to your claim. However, there may be time limits that must be met if you want to successfully file a claim.
In all of California, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the time that you discover your injury. If you wait any longer, you will not be able to file a claim and will be barred from receiving the financial recovery that may be owed to you. This is why it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side who can help you meet deadlines that are required of you.
What Should I Do If I’m Hit While Walking?
Even a low-speed collision can cause serious harm when you’re on foot. There’s no airbag or steel frame to protect you—just you and the pavement. If you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, here are the steps that matter most:
- Call 911 right away – Even if you feel okay, adrenaline can mask injuries. Call 911 for an ambulance and police. Let paramedics check you out, and make sure the police document the scene. That report may be key down the road.
- Follow any medical advice you get – If EMTs suggest you go to the ER, do it. Getting proper treatment now helps you heal and creates a clear record of your injuries.
- Get the driver’s information (if possible) – If you’re conscious and able, try to get the driver’s name, contact info, and insurance details. In hit-and-run situations, make note of anything you remember about the vehicle so you can help police search for them.
- Get evidence at the scene – Photos of where the crash happened, your injuries, and any visible damage can make a big difference when it comes time to file a claim.
- Watch your statements – It’s natural to feel shaken or even say “sorry” out of habit. Try to stick to the facts when speaking with police or anyone else at the scene. Those early words can sometimes be twisted later.
Of course, in the immediate aftermath of a serious crash, you may not be able to do any of this yourself. That’s okay. If you’re hurt, the priority is getting help. The rest can be handled with the support of a legal team who knows what to look for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a claim if I was hit in a parking lot?
Absolutely. You still have the same rights in a parking lot as you do at a crosswalk or street. And it doesn’t matter if it happens in a public or private parking lot—whoever owns or manages the lot is usually liable.
Should I still report the accident to police if it seems minor?
Yes. Even if you don’t think it’s a big deal at first, an official report can protect you later. Injuries can worsen, stories can change, and having a written record helps your side stay clear.
How long do I have to take legal action?
Under California law, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. That might sound like plenty of time, but the sooner you act, the easier it is to gather solid evidence.
Contact a Fremont Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Fremont pedestrian accidents show no sign of stopping anytime soon, which means that fatalities and injuries will continue to occur due to these collisions every year. If you are someone who has been hurt in a pedestrian accident, it is important that you speak with a lawyer that you can trust immediately.
At Maison Law Accident and Injury Lawyers of Fremont, our pedestrian accident lawyers are dedicated to every aspect of your claim. We will answer any questions that you have and help you negotiate with the insurance company so that you can obtain maximum support for your damages. We offer you a completely free and confidential case evaluation. Do not miss out on this opportunity and contact us today for more information.