Are Pedestrians Safe in Orange County? The Numbers Say Otherwise.
Orange County recorded 883 pedestrians injured or killed in traffic crashes in 2022 alone, according to California Office of Traffic Safety data. With an average of 754 pedestrian accidents per year involving injuries or fatalities between 2020 and 2024, our county faces a mounting safety crisis that affects families every single day.
If you or someone you love was injured or killed in an Orange County traffic accident, you need a law firm on your side that can handle these types of claims. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims entirely. A skilled Santa Ana pedestrian accident lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing and moving forward. Call Hicks Law Firm, PC at 866-HICKS-LAW or (949) 541-9944 for a free consultation, and let’s discuss what happened.
California’s Staggering Pedestrian Death Toll
The numbers paint a sobering picture across California. In 2022 (the most recent data collected), 1,158 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in California – that’s an average of 21 pedestrians killed every day. Even more alarming, pedestrian fatalities increased by 77.3 percent between 2012 and 2022.
Orange County contributes significantly to these tragic statistics. In 2022, Orange County recorded 17,734 victims killed or injured in traffic-related crashes, with pedestrians bearing a heavy burden of this toll. The data shows that 883 pedestrians were injured or killed in Orange County in 2022, ranking the county 34th out of 58 in California.
Children and elderly residents face the highest risk. 66 victims were under 15 years old, and 136 victims were aged 65 and older in Orange County alone during 2022.
Santa Ana’s High-Risk Areas for Pedestrians
Santa Ana, as Orange County’s second most populous city, sees its share of these devastating accidents. Previous accident data shows certain intersections pose particular dangers to pedestrians:
Most dangerous intersections in Santa Ana include:
- 17th Street and Fairview Street – heavy pedestrian traffic near shopping areas and bus stops
- Bristol Street intersections – major thoroughfare with high vehicle volumes
- Harbor Boulevard corridor – busy commercial strip with frequent pedestrian crossings
- Areas around Santa Ana College – heavy student foot traffic
- Downtown business district – high concentration of pedestrians and vehicles
Santa Ana fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents list for 2017 shows 24 fatal accidents and twelve pedestrians involved in fatal accidents. These numbers represent real people walking to work, school, or the store who never made it home.
What Makes Orange County Streets So Dangerous for Pedestrians
Several factors combine to create deadly conditions for pedestrians across Orange County, including Santa Ana. Vehicle/pedestrian crashes were the most common type of distracted driving fatal and serious injury crashes in 2022, making up 23.9 percent.
Speed kills more pedestrians than any other factor. In California, there were 1,403 people killed in speeding-related traffic crashes in 2022. When drivers speed through residential areas, pedestrians have no time to react or escape.
Alcohol involvement was a significant factor in 1,966 crashes in Orange County in 2022. Impaired drivers can’t react quickly enough to avoid hitting someone crossing the street, especially during evening hours when many pedestrian deaths occur.
Common Causes of Fatal Pedestrian Accidents
Understanding why these crashes happen can help prevent future tragedies. Unsafe speed was the most common primary crash factor in distracted driving fatal and serious injury crashes in 2022, making up 24.2 percent, followed by improper turning (18.1 percent) and pedestrian violation (11.0 percent).
Many pedestrian deaths occur at intersections where drivers fail to yield the right of way. In California, 27 percent (or 309) of all motor vehicle fatalities were pedestrians that occurred at intersections or other/unknown locations.
Leading causes of pedestrian fatalities include:
- Speeding drivers who can’t stop in time
- Distracted driving from phone use or other distractions
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Failure to yield at crosswalks and intersections
- Poor visibility conditions, especially at night
When to Call a Santa Ana Personal Injury Lawyer
Contact a Santa Ana personal injury attorney immediately if you were seriously injured in an Orange County traffic accident or if someone you love was killed. Early legal help protects your rights and preserves important evidence that could make or break your case.
You definitely need legal help if the insurance company denies your claim, offers a settlement that seems too low, or starts asking you to sign documents. These are warning signs that they’re trying to avoid paying what you deserve.
Don’t try to handle serious accident cases alone. At Hicks Law Firm, PC, our injury attorneys work on contingency fees, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. This arrangement allows injured families to get top-quality legal help without any upfront costs.
Contact Our Experienced Orange County Injury Attorneys
No amount of money can bring back a loved one or completely heal serious injuries. However, holding negligent drivers accountable through the legal system helps prevent future accidents and provides families with the resources they need to rebuild their lives.
Orange County’s pedestrian safety crisis won’t solve itself. Individual drivers must take responsibility for their actions behind the wheel. At the same time, accident victims and families deserve full compensation when others’ careless driving destroys their lives.
If you’re dealing with injuries after an Orange County pedestrian accident, don’t wait to protect your rights. Call Hicks Law Firm, PC., today at 949-541-9944 or fill out our confidential contact form.
Aaron Hicks is a civil trial attorney and founder of Hicks Law Firm, based in Orange County with offices in San Diego and Tennessee. His practice includes representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, dog bites and wrongful death. Mr. Hicks is and AV Rated attorney, Super Lawyer and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association where he serves as 1st Vice President.
