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Crashed. Injured. Blamed. We Step In When You Need Someone On Your Side.
You started your day like any other. You grabbed your helmet, stepped outside, maybe waved to a neighbor. You saw the light change, checked for traffic, and moved forward. The next moment, everything changed.
A car hit you.
Now, walking hurts. Riding feels impossible. You're juggling doctor visits, time off work, and calls from insurance adjusters trying to hurry your answers. Recovery feels like a moving target, and no one seems to be held accountable for it.
Welcome to one of the toughest kinds of cases in personal injury law. And one that we know inside and out.
At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, we've represented San Diego cyclists and pedestrians for over 47 years. Our firm has recovered over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients, including pedestrians and bicyclists hit at intersections, in crosswalks, on neighborhood roads, and along high-speed corridors like Harbor Drive, El Cajon Boulevard, and Pacific Highway.
We live here. We ride here. We walk these streets, too. We take your case personally because San Diego deserves better.
Speak with a San Diego pedestrian and bicycle accidents lawyer who understands what you're going through and knows how to fight back. Call (619) 236-9363 now or send us a message to start your free consultation.
"Vince Bartolotta is an excellent attorney who really goes above and beyond for his client. I'd trust him with anything, do not hesitate to call him."
— D.R., San Diego, CA, Client
Why San Diego Cyclists and Pedestrians Keep Getting Hurt
San Diego ranks among California's most active outdoor cities, with more than 515 miles of bikeways and hundreds of high-foot-traffic intersections. From North Park to the Gaslamp Quarter, Beach Walk in La Jolla to the Marina District, residents regularly share roads with cars, delivery trucks, and rideshare vehicles.
Despite public campaigns promoting safety, hundreds of cyclists and pedestrians suffer severe injuries in the city's most active corridors every year.
The causes come up again and again:
- Left turns without yielding;
- Right turns on red without checking for bikes or walkers;
- Speeding through residential zones;
- Distracted driving from phones, pets, passengers;
- Drivers drifting or "nudging" into designated bike lanes;
- Illegal passing or dooring near parked cars; and
- Ignoring crosswalks at places like SDSU, UC San Diego, and downtown trolley stops.
San Diego's urban layout doesn't help. Narrow lanes force cyclists into traffic, unclear signage confuses both drivers and pedestrians, and blind corners in coastal neighborhoods make it harder to see vulnerable road users.
When crashes happen, drivers deflect responsibility, and insurers look for ways to minimize claims. We step in to demand accountability.
Results That Helped Our Clients Move Forward
At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, we represent people whose lives have been disrupted by serious injuries, whether in a crosswalk, on a bike, or just heading home. We take the time to understand what you're going through and fight for outcomes that cover more than just the short term.
$1.55 Million For a Child Hit While Crossing the Street
A 12-year-old pedestrian was struck by a commercial truck while walking through a neighborhood crosswalk. The company denied fault, but our investigation uncovered evidence they couldn't ignore.
The settlement ensures the child has access to prosthetics, rehabilitation, and long-term care tailored to their needs.
$725,000 For a Bicyclist Injured By a Turning Driver
While riding through a downtown intersection, our client was hit by a vehicle making a sudden left turn. He suffered severe orthopedic injuries and faced months of lost wages.
We gathered video evidence, challenged the driver's version of events, and negotiated a settlement that helped cover medical expenses and time away from work.
At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, we truly want to make your life better, starting today. We will help you deal with the aftermath of your bicycle or pedestrian accident. We will fight for every dime of compensation for your injuries and losses.
Call our legal team now at (619) 236-9363 or message us online to schedule a free case review with a San Diego pedestrian and bicycle accidents attorney.
Permanent Injuries Need Permanent Support
With no protection (or a bike helmet at best), pedestrians and cyclists are vulnerable to major injuries. Over the years, our lawyers have recovered compensation in verdicts and settlements for:
- Traumatic brain injury;
- Spinal cord trauma;
- Broken bones in hands, shoulders, hips;
- Amputated limbs;
- Facial fractures and dental damage;
- Complex leg or foot injuries;
- Burn-like abrasions (road rash) requiring grafting;
- Internal bleeding and organ damage; and
- Post-traumatic stress and emotional trauma.
San Diego trauma centers, such as UC San Diego Medical Center, Scripps Mercy, and Rady Children's Hospital, regularly admit pedestrians and bicyclists who are hit in crosswalks, parking lots, and bike lanes.
Survivors often deal with:
- Multiple surgeries;
- Assistive devices (wheelchairs, prosthetics);
- Missed school or work;
- Transportation limitations; and
- Lifelong physical therapy.
Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire works with reputable experts to calculate economic damages and project ongoing needs, such as wheelchairs, pain management, or nursing care.
Our goal is to make clients as whole as possible and improve their quality of life after a life-changing accident. If the insurance company will not settle for a fair amount, our accomplished trial lawyers are prepared to present your story to a jury.
A Martindale-Nolo survey found that accident victims represented by top-level legal teams recovered nearly three times more compensation than those who went it alone.
You deserve that advantage from day one.
"These are our streets too. We know what drivers get away with, and we don't let that slide when a bicyclist or pedestrian gets hurt."
— Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr., Founding Partner
We Warn Every Client: Do Not Give a Recorded Statement
Insurance adjusters move quickly after a bike or pedestrian crash. They reach out while you're in the hospital, rattled, or unsure how to respond. They request a "quick statement" for their files.
This recorded statement can, and often will, be used to:
- Question inconsistencies in your memory,
- Lock you into early comments,
- Suggest you admitted to fault, and
- Reduce the perceived value of your claim
Say as little as possible until you've spoken to a San Diego bicycle and pedestrian accident attorney who represents your interests. Inform them you are receiving legal guidance. Then let us step in and handle their calls the right way—on the record and on your terms.
Can You Still Recover Compensation If They Blame You?
Yes. California law uses what's called comparative negligence. That means:
- You can still recover damages even if you are partially at fault.
- Your compensation totals get reduced based on your share of fault.
Many insurance companies exaggerate that percentage to reduce what they owe. We push back on:
- Claims you "darted out" when video or witness accounts say otherwise,
- Allegations you were distracted or didn't obey traffic signals, and
- Arguments that the driver couldn't have avoided you.
We rebuild the scene, consult with experts, preserve tech evidence (video from scooters, dash cams, or businesses), and challenge every tactic designed to shift blame and lower payouts.
You Deserve The Best San Diego Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
When you're injured on a San Diego street, you don't need a law firm with offices across the country—you need one that knows this city, its roads, and what you're up against.
We live and work here. We've built relationships with local judges, understand how regional insurance companies operate, and know where dangerous intersections often lead to serious crashes.
We've handled bike and pedestrian injury cases across:
- Busy El Cajon Blvd. near SDSU,
- Crosswalk-heavy streets in Hillcrest,
- North County biking routes through Oceanside and Vista,
- High-speed zones approaching the Coronado Bridge, and
- Beachside neighborhoods where cars and foot traffic mix
Our team includes award-winning trial lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers in America and ranked Tier 1 in San Diego by U.S. News & World Report. With over $2 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements, we have the local insight and legal firepower to fight for what you deserve.
Let's Get You Back in the Saddle
We like to think of ourselves as white-hat lawyers—the good guys. Whether you suffered disabling injuries or escaped with "only" a fractured wrist or collarbone, our focus is supporting your recovery in any way we can while working behind the scenes to maximize your compensation.
To arrange a free consultation with a San Diego pedestrian and bicycle accidents attorney, call our San Diego office at (619) 236-9363 or contact us online.