This page was written and reviewed by Michael J. Cefali, Esq. Attorney Cefali is a founding partner of Cefali & Cefali, APC, based in San Juan Capistrano, CA. He holds a Juris Doctor from Chapman University Fowler School of Law and a B.A. in Global Studies & Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy. Widely recognized for his advocacy in personal injury law, he has secured multi-hundred-thousand-dollar settlements in motorcycle accidents, hit-and-runs, and red-light collision cases. He maintains a perfect 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo.
Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Cefali actively supports his community through the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributes to housing and meal programs for those in need, and enjoys fishing and spending time with his rescue dogs.
The date below reflects when this page was last reviewed for accuracy. Please see our Editorial Guidelines.
If you were hit by a car while walking in Anaheim, you have the right to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. California law strongly protects pedestrians: under Vehicle Code 21950, drivers must yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks, and since the Freedom to Walk Act took effect in 2023, safe mid-block crossing is no longer a crime. The pedestrian accident attorneys at Cefali & Cefali hold at-fault drivers accountable. Call (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation, available 24/7. No fee unless we win.
Where Pedestrian Accidents Happen Most Often in Anaheim
Anaheim is home to the Disneyland Resort, Anaheim Convention Center, Honda Center, and Angel Stadium, attractions that bring more than 50 million visitors to the city each year. That tourist volume produces an unusually high concentration of pedestrian traffic along Harbor Boulevard, Katella Avenue, Ball Road, and Disney Way. The intersections at Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue, Harbor Boulevard and Ball Road, and Disney Way are among the busiest pedestrian crossings in Orange County, with crashes involving tourists, shuttle buses, and rideshare vehicles a frequent occurrence in the resort district.
Beyond the resort area, Anaheim residents face pedestrian risk along the I-5 (Santa Ana Freeway) on-ramps, the SR-91 and SR-57 freeway interchanges, and major surface streets including Anaheim Boulevard, Lincoln Avenue, La Palma Avenue, Brookhurst Street, Euclid Street, and State College Boulevard. Schools, transit stops, and shopping corridors throughout the city add to the day-to-day pedestrian volume.
After a serious pedestrian accident in Anaheim, injured victims are typically taken to Anaheim Regional Medical Center on West La Palma Avenue or West Anaheim Medical Center on West Orange Avenue, with the most severe trauma cases transported to UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange, the region's Level 1 trauma center. If your case proceeds to a civil filing, it will be heard at the Orange County Superior Court Central Justice Center in Santa Ana (700 Civic Center Drive West), which handles all civil personal injury matters for the county.
We also represent injured pedestrians in surrounding north Orange County communities including Fullerton, Buena Park, Garden Grove, Orange, Santa Ana, Yorba Linda, Placentia, and La Habra.
Who is at fault when a pedestrian is hit by a car?
Fault depends on who failed to use reasonable care, and California law places strong duties on drivers. Under Vehicle Code 21950, drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks (every intersection is a crosswalk, whether painted or not). A pedestrian struck while crossing legally almost always has a strong claim.
The old assumption that a pedestrian crossing mid-block is automatically at fault is outdated. California's Freedom to Walk Act, effective January 1, 2023, made it legal to cross outside a crosswalk when it is safe to do so, so an officer can no longer ticket a pedestrian for safe jaywalking. Even where a pedestrian shares some blame, California's pure comparative negligence rule lets them still recover, reduced by their share of fault. Insurers often try to pin fault on the pedestrian to cut the payout, which is exactly what an attorney pushes back on.
Common Causes of Anaheim Pedestrian Accidents
Most pedestrian accidents come down to driver negligence. The most common causes we see in Anaheim include:
Distracted driving, especially texting or using a phone
Failure to yield at crosswalks and intersections
Left-turn collisions, where a turning driver does not see a pedestrian in the crosswalk
Impaired driving
Speeding and reckless driving, including running red lights
Poor visibility at night or in the busy resort district
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Because a pedestrian has no protection in a collision with a vehicle, injuries are often severe or catastrophic:
Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
Spinal cord injuries, which can cause paralysis
Broken bones and multiple fractures
Internal injuries
Cuts, lacerations, and road rash
Because head and internal injuries can surface hours later, it is important to get medical attention right away, even if you feel able to walk away from the scene. Prompt care protects both your health and the medical record linking your injuries to the crash. If you have been injured, our Anaheim personal injury attorneys can help.
What should you do after a pedestrian accident in Anaheim?
Get medical attention immediately, report the crash so a police report is created, and if you can, photograph the scene and your injuries and collect witness contact information. Do not give a recorded statement to the driver's insurer before speaking with a lawyer.
Get medical attention. Many pedestrian injuries, especially head and internal injuries, are not obvious right away.
Report the accident. A police report creates an official record of what happened.
Gather evidence. Photograph the scene, get witness names and numbers, and keep your medical records and bills.
Contact a lawyer. An attorney can file your personal injury claim and deal with the insurer for you.
Why Choose Cefali & Cefali
Pedestrian claims turn on the driver's duty to yield, the fault the insurer will try to shift onto you, and the often-serious nature of the injuries. We investigate the crash, work with accident reconstruction and medical experts when needed, handle the insurer, and pursue the full value of your claim, and we are ready to take your case to trial if the offer is not fair. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no fee unless we win.
The insurance company is not on your side; its goal is to pay as little as possible. If you were hit by a car while walking, having an experienced advocate protects your right to full compensation. We represent injured pedestrians throughout Orange County, including Anaheim, Fullerton, Buena Park, Garden Grove, Orange, Santa Ana, Yorba Linda, Placentia, and La Habra, and from our Hemet office we also serve Riverside County.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a pedestrian accident, call (949) 325-7790 or contact us for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I file a pedestrian accident lawsuit if I was hit in Anaheim?
Civil pedestrian accident lawsuits for crashes in Anaheim are filed at the Orange County Superior Court Central Justice Center, located at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana. This courthouse handles all civil personal injury and wrongful death matters for Orange County cities. Your attorney will manage the filing process, including meeting the two-year statute of limitations for California personal injury claims and the six-month deadline that applies when a government entity is the at-fault party.
What are the most dangerous areas for pedestrians in Anaheim?
The Disneyland Resort district sees the highest concentration of pedestrian accidents in Anaheim, particularly at the busy crosswalks along Harbor Boulevard between Katella Avenue and Ball Road where tourists, shuttle buses, and rideshare vehicles share the road. The Anaheim Convention Center area and the surface streets around Honda Center and Angel Stadium also see frequent pedestrian incidents, especially during events. Beyond the resort and sports venues, major surface streets like Anaheim Boulevard, Lincoln Avenue, La Palma Avenue, and State College Boulevard see day-to-day pedestrian risk from heavy commuter traffic.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in California?
The standard statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California is two years from the date of the accident. However, if a government entity is involved (for example, a city or county vehicle, or a poorly maintained crosswalk or sidewalk), you typically have only six months from the date of the accident to file an administrative claim before you can sue. Missing this deadline usually ends the case. Contact an Anaheim pedestrian accident attorney promptly so no deadline is missed.
What if I was partly at fault as a pedestrian?
California follows pure comparative negligence rules, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partly responsible for the accident. For example, if a pedestrian crosses outside a crosswalk and is struck by a speeding driver, both parties may share fault. The pedestrian's recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault but is not eliminated. Insurance companies often try to shift more blame onto pedestrians to reduce payouts, which is why having an experienced attorney evaluate the fault allocation matters.
How much is my pedestrian accident claim worth in Anaheim?
The value of a pedestrian accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, total medical bills (current and projected future treatment), lost income, reduced future earning capacity if the injury is permanent, and pain and suffering damages. Pedestrian cases tend to involve more serious injuries than vehicle-to-vehicle crashes because there is no protective vehicle around the pedestrian, which often produces higher settlements. An experienced attorney can review your specific case during a free consultation and estimate a realistic range based on similar cases.
How much does an Anaheim pedestrian accident lawyer cost?
Most California personal injury attorneys, including Cefali & Cefali, work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket while your case is being handled. The firm only gets paid if it recovers compensation for you, either through a settlement or a court verdict. The initial consultation is also free, so there is no financial risk in finding out whether you have a case.
Michael Cefali is a dedicated accident attorney based in San Juan Capistrano, California, committed to securing justice and fair compensation for accident victims.
A graduate of Newport Harbor High School, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy, followed by his Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law.
Deeply invested in his community, Michael is an active member of the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributing to efforts that provide meals, housing, and support to those in need. Outside of his legal work and volunteer service, he enjoys fishing in Dana Point and spending time with his three rescue dogs—a Chihuahua, a Spaniel mix, and a Shepherd mix.
Driven by his strong belief in justice and fairness, Michael remains steadfast in advocating for individuals harmed by the negligence or inaction of others.
