Concord Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable When Pedestrians Are Struck in Contra Costa County

Being struck by a vehicle while walking is one of the most traumatic experiences a person can survive. Pedestrians have no protection at all from a driver who runs a red light, fails to yield at a crosswalk, or backs through a pedestrian lane without looking. The injuries that result, from broken bones and spinal damage to traumatic brain injuries and wrongful death, can be catastrophic and permanent.

At Clancy & Diaz, LLP, our Concord pedestrian accident lawyers are committed to standing up for people who have been seriously hurt and making sure the drivers and insurers responsible are held fully accountable.

Pedestrian safety in Concord is a documented concern. The city’s own data shows that pedestrian involvement is one of the three primary factors in fatal crashes, present in roughly one-third of the 19 fatal collisions recorded in the city between 2021 and 2025. When darkness and pedestrian exposure combine, the city’s injury rate spikes to more than four times the citywide average. Our attorneys understand these patterns and know how to build compelling cases for the people caught in them.

Where Pedestrian Accidents Most Often Occur in Concord

Concord’s busiest commercial corridors and transit connection points generate the highest concentration of pedestrian crashes in the city:

• Monument Boulevard: Concord’s most heavily trafficked surface street, including the intersection at Reganti Drive, which has been the site of fatal pedestrian crashes, creates significant danger for people crossing on foot.
• Concord BART station approaches: Pedestrians traveling to and from the Concord and North Concord BART stations cross high-volume roads where drivers are often focused on traffic flow rather than watching for people on foot.
• Willow Pass Road commercial corridor: Heavy vehicle traffic and pedestrians navigating shopping centers and transit stops create frequent conflict points along this busy arterial.
• Clayton Road and Concord Avenue intersections: Multiple crosswalks and unsignalized mid-block crossings along these corridors generate pedestrian-vehicle conflicts throughout the day.
• Downtown Concord near Todos Santos Plaza: Foot traffic from restaurants, shops, farmers markets, and events brings pedestrians into regular contact with vehicle traffic in the surrounding blocks.

California Law and the Duty Drivers Owe to Pedestrians

Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950, drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. The law places the primary burden of care on the driver, not the pedestrian. Even in situations where a pedestrian was crossing outside a marked crosswalk, California’s comparative fault rules may still allow significant recovery if the driver’s conduct was the primary cause of the crash.

Insurance companies can’t simply point to a pedestrian’s behavior to escape liability. If a driver was speeding, distracted, or ran a light, those facts matter regardless of where the pedestrian was walking. Our attorneys know how to frame these cases and how to counter the arguments that insurers use to deny or minimize pedestrian accident claims.

Why Pedestrian Injuries Tend to Be Severe

Even at speeds that would cause minor damage to the vehicles involved, a collision with a pedestrian can produce injuries that require surgery, months of rehabilitation, and years of ongoing care. The most common serious injuries in pedestrian accident cases include:

• Traumatic brain injuries: Whether from the vehicle impact or from striking the pavement, TBIs can cause lasting cognitive, emotional, and physical impairment that affects every aspect of a person’s life.
• Spinal cord injuries: These can result in partial or complete paralysis and require lifelong medical support, home modifications, and extensive care planning.
• Fractures and orthopedic injuries: Leg, pelvis, hip, and arm fractures are common in pedestrian crashes and often require multiple surgeries and extended rehabilitation.
• Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma from a vehicle can damage internal organs in ways that aren’t immediately visible but can be life-threatening without rapid treatment.
• Psychological trauma and PTSD: The mental and emotional aftermath of being struck by a vehicle can be as disabling as the physical injuries, affecting sleep, relationships, and the ability to function in daily life.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Concord

The steps taken immediately after a pedestrian accident can significantly affect your ability to recover full compensation:

1. Call 911 immediately and request medical assistance. Don’t minimize your injuries or refuse medical evaluation at the scene.
2. Remain as still as possible if you have pain in your neck or back while waiting for emergency responders.
3. Get the driver’s name, license plate number, and insurance information if you’re able.
4. Ask bystanders for their contact information. Witness accounts are often the most persuasive evidence in pedestrian accident cases.
5. Photograph the scene, including the vehicle, any crosswalk markings, traffic signals, and your visible injuries.
6. Follow all recommended medical treatment and keep records of every appointment, diagnosis, prescription, and bill.
7. Contact a pedestrian accident attorney before giving any statement to the driver’s insurance company.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents in Concord

What if the driver claims I stepped out in front of their vehicle?

This is one of the most common defenses in pedestrian accident cases, and it rarely holds up against solid evidence. Drivers have a duty to operate at a speed and with sufficient attention to stop for foreseeable hazards, including pedestrians in crosswalks. Our attorneys gather surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence from the scene to build a clear record of what actually happened and counter any attempt to shift blame unfairly onto the pedestrian.

Can I recover compensation if I was hit in a parking lot?

Yes. California personal injury law applies to accidents on private property, including parking lots. Drivers in parking lots have the same duty to watch for pedestrians and yield to those in crosswalk lanes that applies on public roads. If a driver’s negligence caused your injuries in a Concord parking lot, you have the right to pursue a claim.

What if I was walking at night when the accident happened?

Concord’s own safety data confirms that pedestrian accidents in low-light conditions carry dramatically elevated injury rates, with KSI rates more than four times the citywide average when darkness and pedestrian exposure combine. The fact that it was dark doesn’t reduce a driver’s duty to watch for pedestrians. It may actually strengthen your case, since drivers are expected to adjust their speed and attention based on visibility conditions.

What if I was jaywalking when I was hit?

Jaywalking can reduce your recovery under California’s comparative fault rules, but it doesn’t eliminate it. A driver who was speeding, distracted, or had sufficient time to stop still bears responsibility for the crash. Our attorneys evaluate all of the circumstances and advise you honestly on how your conduct affects your specific claim.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in California?

The general statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. If a government vehicle or government-maintained road was involved, you may have as little as six months to file an administrative claim. Acting quickly matters not just for legal deadlines, but because evidence disappears fast.

What compensation can I recover after a pedestrian accident in Concord?

A fully developed pedestrian accident claim can include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress and PTSD, costs of ongoing care and rehabilitation, and in wrongful death cases, compensation for the family’s loss of support and companionship. Our attorneys evaluate every component to make sure your claim reflects the full impact of what you’ve experienced.

What if the driver who hit me doesn’t have insurance?

Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply even when you were on foot. California UM coverage extends to pedestrian accidents in many situations. Our attorneys will review your policy carefully and pursue every available avenue for recovery, including any other parties who may share responsibility for the crash.

Can our family pursue a claim if a loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident in Concord?

Yes. When a pedestrian accident results in death, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim against the responsible driver and their insurer. California wrongful death law allows close family members to recover for their financial losses, loss of companionship, and other damages resulting from the death. Attorney Pete Clancy handles wrongful death cases with the same thoroughness and commitment he brings to every case our firm takes on.

If you or a loved one was struck by a vehicle while walking in Concord, don’t face the insurance company alone. Contact Clancy & Diaz, LLP today for a free consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer who will stand up for you.

Contact Our Concord Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today

Our attorneys will investigate the crash, fight the insurance company, and pursue every form of compensation available under California law. We handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so there are no legal fees of any kind unless we secure a recovery for you. We offer free consultations and will come to your home or hospital room if needed. Contact us today to speak with a Concord pedestrian accident lawyer.