Key Notes
- Sweet James Accident Attorneys obtained a $725,000 settlement for a pedestrian struck by a car on Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, California.
- The driver turned left onto northbound PCH but crossed into the southbound lanes, hitting the client and causing facial fractures, neck and back injuries, and a brain bleed.
- Trial Attorney Robert C. led the case to settlement.
- California Vehicle Code section 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks, and drivers who fail to check all lanes face liability for the harm they cause.
- If you or someone you love was hurt as a pedestrian in Orange County or anywhere in California, call Sweet James at (800) 900-0000 for a free consultation.
A pedestrian using a marked crosswalk on Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, California, suffered life-altering injuries when a driver made a left turn and crossed into the wrong side of the road, striking her and throwing her to the pavement. Sweet James Accident Attorneys secured a $725,000 settlement on behalf of the confidential client after she endured facial fractures, neck and back injuries, and a brain bleed in the collision.[1] Trial Attorney Robert C. represented the client through settlement negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.
What Happened on Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach?
The defendant was attempting a left turn onto northbound Pacific Coast Highway from the intersection at Cleo Street. Instead of staying in the correct northbound lanes, the driver crossed the center divider and entered the southbound lanes, where our client was lawfully crossing in a marked crosswalk.[1] Traffic control signs at the intersection clearly directed pedestrians to use the crosswalk, and our client followed those instructions.[1]
The vehicle struck the pedestrian with enough force to throw her to the ground. The driver came to a complete stop immediately after the impact.[1] When Laguna Beach first responders arrived moments later, they found our client lying on her back in the roadway. She had visible facial injuries, a swollen right eye, and bleeding from her hands. She was unable to speak.[1] Paramedics stabilized her at the scene before transporting her by ambulance to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
What Injuries Did the Pedestrian Suffer?
The collision caused multiple serious injuries. Doctors diagnosed facial fractures, which required surgery and left permanent scarring. She sustained neck and back injuries that limited her ability to work and perform everyday tasks for months after the crash. Most concerning, imaging at the hospital revealed a brain bleed, a type of traumatic brain injury that can have lasting cognitive and physical effects.[1] The client underwent extensive medical treatment, physical therapy, and follow-up care. Her recovery was long and painful, and some effects of the injuries remain with her today.
Who Was at Fault in This Laguna Beach Pedestrian Accident?
California Vehicle Code section 21950 is unambiguous: drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.[2] The law places the burden on the driver to watch for people on foot, slow down, and stop if necessary. In this case, the driver not only failed to yield but also crossed into oncoming traffic lanes, violating multiple rules of the road and creating an unavoidable hazard for our client, who had every right to be in that crosswalk.
“Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable people on our roads,” said Robert C., Trial Attorney at Sweet James Accident Attorneys.
When a driver makes a careless turn and ends up in the wrong lanes, the consequences can be catastrophic. We held the at-fault driver and their insurance carrier accountable for every dollar of harm our client suffered, and we made sure she received the compensation she needed to move forward with her life.
Robert Cioffi — Trial Attorney at Sweet James Accident Attorneys
How Did Sweet James Win $725,000 for the Injured Pedestrian?
Robert C. and attorney Adriana R. built a comprehensive case by gathering evidence from the scene, reviewing traffic-control signage, interviewing witnesses, and working with medical experts who documented the full scope of the client’s injuries and ongoing needs.[1] They presented a demand that accounted for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the permanent impact of a traumatic brain injury. The insurance carrier initially offered far less than what the claim was worth, but our attorneys refused to back down. After sustained negotiation and the credible threat of trial, the carrier agreed to pay $725,000 to settle the case.[1]
Millions of dollars are recovered every week by the 400-plus legal professionals at Sweet James Accident Attorneys, and over one billion dollars has been recovered for injured accident victims across California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Georgia. We fight for you so you don’t face the insurance companies alone.
What Should You Do If You Were Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian in Orange County?
First, seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel only minor pain. Some injuries, like brain bleeds, do not show symptoms right away. Second, if you are able, take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any traffic signs or crosswalk markings. Third, get contact information from witnesses. Fourth, do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Finally, call Sweet James at (800) 900-0000 for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
About the Author
This article was prepared by the legal team at Sweet James Accident Attorneys, a personal injury law firm representing accident victims in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Georgia. For more information or a free case evaluation, call (800) 900-0000 or visit sweetjames.com.
Sources
[1] Sweet James case records, 2026.
[2] California Vehicle Code section 21950, available at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=21950.
[3] California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, available at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP§ionNum=335.1.
