Every year, pedestrians in Los Angeles are seriously hurt in collisions that leave them facing surgeries, months of recovery, and bills that pile up quickly. If you or someone close to you was hit by a car, a Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer at Arias Sanguinetti Trial Lawyers can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you may be owed.
California has some of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the country. Los Angeles, in particular, sees a significant number of pedestrian injuries each year due to high traffic volume, distracted drivers, and insufficient infrastructure in many neighborhoods. These collisions are rarely minor, and the consequences for victims can last for years.
This page explains what steps to take after a pedestrian accident, what typically causes these crashes, how the legal process works, and what kinds of compensation may be available to you. If you have questions at any point, our attorneys are available to speak with you directly.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Los Angeles
The actions you take in the hours and days after a pedestrian accident can directly affect your ability to recover compensation. Staying informed about the right steps gives you a clearer path forward.
Get Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you feel okay after being hit, you should go to the emergency room or an urgent care facility right away. Some injuries, including internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries, do not produce obvious symptoms at first. A medical record created close to the time of the accident is also important documentation for any future legal claim.
Document the Scene and Report the Accident
If you are physically able, take photos of the scene, the vehicle involved, any skid marks, and your visible injuries before anything is moved. California law requires that accidents involving injury be reported to law enforcement, and a police report creates an official record that can support your claim. Gather names and contact information from any witnesses while you are still at the scene.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Los Angeles
Speaking with a hit-by-a-car lawyer in LA soon after your accident helps protect your rights before the insurance process begins. Insurance adjusters often move quickly to minimize payouts, and having legal representation early puts you in a stronger position. An attorney can communicate with insurers on your behalf, preserve evidence, and help you avoid common mistakes that could limit your recovery.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in LA
Understanding what causes pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles can help clarify who may be responsible and what evidence matters most in your case.
Distracted and Impaired Drivers
Drivers who are texting, using apps, or otherwise distracted are one of the leading causes of pedestrian collisions across California. Alcohol and drug impairment also remain a consistent factor in serious pedestrian crashes, particularly at night and on weekends. When a driver’s negligence directly caused your injury, that driver may be held legally responsible for your losses.
Dangerous Road Conditions and Poor Infrastructure
Many neighborhoods in Los Angeles lack adequate crosswalks, pedestrian signals, or lighting, which creates conditions where collisions are more likely. Government agencies responsible for road maintenance can sometimes be held liable when unsafe conditions contributed to an accident. Claims against public entities involve specific rules and shorter deadlines, which is one reason why acting quickly matters.
Failure to Yield at Crosswalks
California law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks, but this rule is frequently ignored. Drivers making right turns, running yellow lights, or misjudging a pedestrian’s speed are common scenarios in intersection accidents. Crosswalk violations are among the most documented pedestrian accident causes in Los Angeles and often produce strong evidence for injury claims.
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Injuries and Their Long-Term Impact
Pedestrian accident injuries tend to be severe because the human body has no protection against a moving vehicle. The physical, financial, and emotional toll can extend far beyond the initial hospital stay.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
When a pedestrian is struck, the head often hits the vehicle, the ground, or both, making traumatic brain injury (TBI) one of the most common and serious outcomes. TBIs can affect memory, concentration, speech, and emotional regulation, sometimes permanently. Recovery may require ongoing neurological care, rehabilitation, and adjustments to daily life and work.
Fractures, Spinal Injuries, and Nerve Damage
Broken bones are nearly universal in pedestrian collisions, and fractures involving the pelvis, legs, or spine can require multiple surgeries and extended physical therapy. Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, which fundamentally changes a person’s independence and earning capacity. Nerve damage may cause chronic pain or loss of sensation that persists even after other injuries heal.
Emotional and Psychological Effects
The trauma of being struck by a vehicle does not end when the physical wounds close. Many pedestrian accident survivors experience post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, or difficulty returning to activities they once performed without hesitation. These psychological effects are real injuries with real costs, and they are recognized as compensable harm under California law.
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How a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help
Working with a pedestrian injury lawyer in California means having someone in your corner who understands how insurance companies approach these cases and what it takes to build a strong claim.
Investigating Your Accident Thoroughly
An attorney can gather and preserve evidence that might otherwise disappear, including surveillance footage, cell phone records, vehicle data, and witness statements. Accident reconstruction professionals may be brought in to establish how the collision occurred and who was responsible. This groundwork is what separates claims that settle well from claims that stall or are undervalued.
Handling Insurance Companies and Legal Filings
Insurance adjusters are trained to reduce payouts, and anything you say to them without representation can be used against you. An attorney manages all communication with insurers, responds to document requests, and ensures deadlines are not missed. California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, and failing to file within that window typically means losing your right to recover.
Calculating the Full Value of Your Claim
Many injury victims focus only on their current medical bills, which can lead to settling for far less than their case is actually worth. A pedestrian accident attorney in Los Angeles evaluates future medical costs, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and the impact the injury has had on your daily life. Getting this calculation right before any settlement is reached is one of the most important things an attorney does for you.
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Compensation You May Be Able to Pursue
California law allows pedestrian accident victims to seek compensation for a range of losses. What is recoverable in any specific case depends on the facts, the evidence, and the extent of the injuries involved.
Economic Damages
Economic damages include quantifiable financial losses such as hospital bills, surgical costs, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any medical equipment you need. Lost wages from time missed at work are also recoverable, as is compensation for future income you may be unable to earn because of a lasting injury. These losses are typically documented through medical records, billing statements, and employer verification.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for losses that do not come with a price tag but are just as real. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the strain placed on personal relationships are all recognized categories of harm under California law. Calculating non-economic damages requires experience and judgment, as there is no fixed formula.
Punitive Damages in Serious Cases
In cases where a driver’s conduct was particularly reckless or intentional, such as driving under the influence or fleeing the scene, California courts may award punitive damages. These are not tied to your specific losses but are instead meant to hold the at-fault party accountable for egregious behavior. Punitive damages are not available in every case, but they may be relevant depending on the circumstances of your accident.
Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident FAQ
If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident in Los Angeles, you likely have questions about the legal process, your rights, and what comes next. The answers below address common concerns that arise in these cases.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in California?
California generally gives injured victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government entity, such as a city or county, may be responsible, a government tort claim must typically be filed within six months of the incident. Missing either deadline can eliminate your right to recover, so it is important to act without delay.
What if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
California follows a pure comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault, you recover 80 percent of your total damages.
Do I Need a Lawyer if the Insurance Company Already Contacted Me?
Yes, speaking with an attorney before responding to an insurance adjuster is strongly advisable. Adjusters represent the interests of the insurer, not yours, and early statements can affect how your claim is evaluated. An attorney can handle all communication and protect your interests from the start.
What If the Driver Who Hit Me Doesn’t Have Insurance?
California law requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but not all drivers comply. If you are hit by an uninsured driver, your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply, depending on your policy. An attorney can review your coverage and identify all available sources of compensation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
We handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no attorney fees unless compensation is recovered on your behalf. This structure allows injured people to pursue legal representation regardless of their financial situation. Any fees and cost arrangements will be explained clearly at the outset.
What Evidence Is Most Important in a Pedestrian Accident Case?
Surveillance footage, the police report, witness statements, medical records, and photographs of the scene are among the most valuable forms of evidence. Cell phone records can establish distraction, and vehicle data may show speed at the time of impact. Gathering and preserving this evidence early in the process strengthens the foundation of your claim.
Can Family Members File a Claim If a Loved One Was Killed in a Pedestrian Accident?
Yes. California law allows surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim when a loved one is killed due to another party’s negligence. Eligible family members may include spouses, children, and in some cases, parents or other dependents. A wrongful death attorney can explain who qualifies and what damages may be recoverable.
Contact Arias Sanguinetti for a Free Consultation
We are a Los Angeles personal injury law firm that focuses its practice on cases involving serious injuries, including pedestrian accidents caused by driver negligence, unsafe road conditions, and other preventable factors. Our firm’s attorneys have handled pedestrian injury cases throughout Los Angeles and across California, and we understand the medical, financial, and personal dimensions these cases involve.
From the first consultation through every stage of the legal process, our firm works directly with clients, communicates clearly about what to expect, and focuses on pursuing the full range of compensation the law allows. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means clients pay no attorney fees unless there is a recovery.
If you were injured as a pedestrian in Los Angeles, contact us to speak with an attorney about your situation.
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