Westminster & Orange County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian collisions in busy areas like Little Saigon, downtown Santa Ana, and Anaheim's commercial corridors tend to share a handful of causes:

• Distracted driving — texting, phone use, or inattention at intersections and crosswalks

• Failure to yield — drivers turning right or left without checking for pedestrians already in the crosswalk

• Speeding — especially in school zones, shopping centers, and residential streets

• Poor visibility — low-light conditions, unmarked crosswalks, or obstructed sightlines

• Left-turn and right-turn-on-red accidents — a frequent cause of pedestrian injury at signalized intersections

• Parking lot and driveway backing accidents

Injuries We See Most Often

Pedestrians have no metal frame, airbags, or seatbelt to absorb impact, which is why injuries tend to be more severe than in vehicle-on-vehicle collisions:

• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions

• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis

• Broken bones and fractures (hips, legs, pelvis)

• Internal bleeding and organ damage

• Road rash and severe lacerations

• Wrongful death

Who's at Fault? California's Comparative Negligence Rule

One of the biggest myths in pedestrian accident cases is that if you weren't in a marked crosswalk, you automatically lose your case. That's not how California law works. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule — meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, with your award reduced by your percentage of fault. So if you were found 20% responsible, you could still recover 80% of your damages.

Insurance companies know this rule too, and often use it to argue pedestrians share more blame than they actually do. That's exactly the kind of argument Jim Nguyen used to make on behalf of insurers — and now uses his inside knowledge to counter on your behalf.

[This is a well-established rule of CA law (Li v. Yellow Cab Co.), but have Jim confirm the phrasing before publishing, since it's a legal statement on a public page.]

California's Statute of Limitations

In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim (CCP § 335.1). Waiting can hurt your case — evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies slow-walk claims hoping you'll run out of time. If a government vehicle or government property was involved (e.g., a city bus or unsafe public road), a separate and much shorter claims deadline applies — often just six months — so it's important to speak with an attorney quickly.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

1. Get medical attention immediately — even if you feel "okay." Some injuries (especially head and internal injuries) don't show symptoms right away.

2. Call the police and get a copy of the accident report.

3. Document the scene — photos of the vehicle, the intersection/crosswalk, your injuries, and any skid marks.

4. Get witness contact information if possible.

5. Avoid giving a recorded statement to the driver's insurance company before speaking with an attorney.

6. Contact Win Nguyen Law for a free consultation — we can start working on your case immediately.

Why Choose Win Nguyen Law

• Insurance company insight. Jim Nguyen previously worked in insurance defense, so we know the tactics adjusters use to minimize payouts — and how to counter them.

• We speak your language. Full-service representation in English, Vietnamese, and Spanish, so nothing gets lost in translation during one of the most stressful times in your life.

• Local to Orange County. Based in the Little Saigon neighborhood of Westminster, we know the intersections, courts, and communities we serve.

• No fee unless we win. We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront, and nothing at all unless we recover compensation for you.