Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Temecula

36 Years of California Litigation Experience, Handling Every Case Personally

When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the injuries are almost always serious. I’m Rob Schelling, and I’ve handled personal injury claims for clients in Temecula, Murrieta, and southwest Riverside County for 36 years. Every pedestrian accident case I take is handled by me personally from the initial conversation through settlement or trial. No associates. No handoffs. You work with me throughout.

Pedestrians have no frame, airbags, or seatbelt between them and the road. The full force of impact falls on the person. Bills accumulate quickly, and time away from work compounds the financial pressure. Insurance companies begin working to limit their exposure almost immediately. Getting an attorney involved early can protect your position.

If you or a family member was injured in a pedestrian accident in Temecula or the surrounding area, call me directly at (951) 355-2965. I can explain your options and what the claim process looks like for your specific situation.

Why Temecula Pedestrian Accident Victims Work with Law Office of Rob Schelling, A Professional Corporation

At Law Office of Rob Schelling, A Professional Corporation, the structure is different: when you call, you reach me, and I remain your attorney for the life of the case. That direct-attorney model matters in pedestrian accident claims, where the facts, the medical record, and the negotiating strategy all need to stay in one set of hands.

I’m also familiar with the courts that handle civil cases in this region. The Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta handles civil matters for southwest Riverside County, and I can give you realistic expectations about how cases move through that system rather than generic timelines.

Where it serves the client, I recommend mediation or negotiation before filing suit. Litigation is expensive and slow. A well-prepared mediation can produce a fair resolution at a fraction of the time and cost. Where the insurer won’t negotiate in good faith, I take it to court. The path depends on your situation, not a default approach.

I handle all communications with insurers and opposing counsel directly. Insurance adjusters are trained to gather statements that minimize or deny a claim. You shouldn’t be fielding those calls without representation. Once you’re my client, they go through me.

Injuries Pedestrians Commonly Suffer

Because pedestrians have no vehicle structure to absorb impact, collisions tend to produce injuries far more severe than those in vehicle-to-vehicle crashes. Bumper height frequently causes leg fractures on initial contact, and the fall to the pavement produces its own trauma.

Common serious injuries in pedestrian accidents include:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from head impact with the vehicle or ground
Spinal Cord Damage that can result in partial or complete paralysis
Broken Bones, particularly in the legs, pelvis, and arms
Internal Organ Damage from blunt force
Severe Lacerations and Disfigurement

Many of these injuries require months of rehabilitation and disrupt a victim’s ability to work, care for family members, and manage daily routines. When a pedestrian accident results in death, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim against the responsible driver.

Compensation Available in a Pedestrian Accident Claim

I pursue compensation that reflects the full scope of my clients’ losses, not a quick settlement that leaves future costs uncovered. The damages available in a California pedestrian accident claim cover both measurable financial losses and the broader impact on your life.

Recoverable damages can include:

Medical bills, including emergency care, surgery, and ongoing rehabilitative treatment
Estimated future medical costs not yet incurred at the time of settlement
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if the injury affects long-term employment
Travel expenses for medical appointments
Physical pain and emotional suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life and other non-economic harm
Property damage
Punitive damages in cases where the driver’s conduct was especially egregious

In cases involving a fatality, wrongful death damages may also include funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. The insurance company’s first offer rarely reflects the full scope of those losses. I evaluate every offer against the complete picture of what you’ve lost and what you’ll need going forward.

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Talk to a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Temecula

At Law Office of Rob Schelling, A Professional Corporation, you don’t get routed to a call center or passed to a junior attorney. When you call (951) 355-2965, you reach me directly. I serve clients throughout Temecula, Murrieta, and southwest Riverside County, and I’m available by phone, email, or in-person meeting depending on what works best for you.

Contact Law Office of Rob Schelling, A Professional Corporation at (951) 355-2965 to discuss your pedestrian accident claim.

California Law & Temecula Pedestrian Accident Claims

California law establishes clear duties for drivers around pedestrians, and understanding those rules shapes how a claim is built and what defenses to expect.

Driver Duties & the Right of Way

California Vehicle Code Section 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Common driver behaviors that breach this duty include failing to yield, distracted driving (including cell phone use), speeding, driving under the influence, and failing to stop before turning right on red.

Comparative Fault

California follows a pure comparative negligence rule: a pedestrian’s compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault for the accident. If a pedestrian was found 20% at fault, they can recover 80% of their damages. Unlike states that bar recovery once fault reaches a certain threshold, California allows a partially responsible pedestrian to still recover. Expect the defense to argue shared fault; it’s a standard tactic to reduce the payout.

Deadlines for Filing

California’s personal injury statute of limitations gives injured pedestrians two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. Missing that window generally ends the right to recover. When a government entity is involved, a separate notice of claim must be filed within six months of the incident. Poorly maintained crosswalks, defective traffic signals, or unsafe road conditions can implicate government liability, making that six-month deadline critical. Civil cases for southwest Riverside County are filed at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident in Temecula

What you do in the hours and days after an accident directly affects both your recovery and your legal claim. These steps matter:

Call 911 to alert emergency responders and generate an official police report, which can become essential evidence
Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor; some injuries aren’t apparent right away, and a prompt medical record ties your injuries to the incident
Document the scene by photographing the vehicle, the accident location, traffic signs, road conditions, and any visible injuries
Collect information from the driver (name, license number, insurance) and from any witnesses
Don’t give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney; that includes your own insurer
Contact a pedestrian accident attorney as early as possible so evidence can be preserved and communications with insurers can be handled from the start

Uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy may also be available if the driver who struck you had no insurance or insufficient coverage. I can review your policy and explain whether that avenue applies to your situation.

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Contact Rob Schelling Today!

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