Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorney

What to Do After a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident

Get medical attention, report the crash, and preserve as much information as possible. Some injuries aren’t immediately apparent, while physical evidence and video may disappear quickly.

Important steps include:

• Seek medical care: Tell your providers how you were injured and report every symptom, even if it initially seems minor.
• Report the crash: Request emergency assistance when needed and ask the responding agency how to obtain the police report.
• Document the scene: If possible, preserve photographs of your injuries, vehicle damage, crosswalk markings, signals, lighting, and nearby conditions.
• Identify witnesses: Record names and contact details for anyone who saw the impact or the events leading to it.
• Save relevant records: Keep medical documents, bills, wage records, vehicle information, and insurer communications.
• Consider settlement offers carefully: Don’t provide a recorded statement or accept an offer before understanding the extent of your injuries, losses, and legal options.

California Pedestrian Right-of-Way & Comparative Fault Rules

California Vehicle Code section 21950 generally requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Pedestrians must also use reasonable care, so right-of-way questions depend on the full circumstances, not crosswalk status alone.

Under California’s comparative fault rules, responsibility may be divided among multiple parties according to how each contributed to the crash. A claim isn’t automatically eliminated because an insurer alleges that the pedestrian was distracted, crossed outside a crosswalk, or otherwise shared responsibility.

Potentially responsible parties may include:

• The driver whose speeding, distraction, failure to yield, impairment, or other conduct caused or contributed to the impact.
• An employer if the driver was acting within the scope of employment.
• A public entity if a qualifying dangerous condition involving signals, lighting, sidewalks, or roadway design contributed to the injury.

Injuries & Losses in a Pedestrian Accident Claim

Without a vehicle frame for protection, a pedestrian may suffer head or spinal trauma, fractures, crush injuries, and internal damage. Psychological trauma may also require treatment. Medical documentation should address both immediate care and any expected long-term effects.

Depending on the evidence, recoverable damages may include medical expenses and future care, lost income and reduced earning capacity, and pain, emotional distress, or other crash-related losses. A fatal accident may also support a wrongful death claim by eligible surviving family members.

Preserving Evidence Before California Filing Deadlines Expire

Surveillance recordings may be overwritten, witnesses can become difficult to locate, and roadway conditions can change. Prompt investigation is especially important in hit-and-run cases or disputes involving traffic signals and right-of-way.

California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 generally allows two years to file an action for injury or death caused by another person’s wrongful act or neglect. That period isn’t universal. Exceptions may apply, and claims involving public entities can require a separate administrative claim within a much shorter period.

We can evaluate which deadlines may apply based on the date, location, responsible parties, and nature of the claim. Acting promptly can also protect access to evidence before it disappears, even when the filing deadline hasn’t expired.

Discuss Your Pedestrian Injury Claim Confidentially

We represent injured pedestrians and surviving family members throughout Southern California, including those with claims connected to Los Angeles. Request a confidential consultation to discuss what happened, the available evidence, and your potential next steps under California law.

We handle injury claims on a contingency fee basis, so clients don’t pay legal fees unless we recover compensation for them.

Call (855) 785-0297 to speak with our Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer.