Our experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyers have a long and successful track record of helping injured victims and their families obtain fair compensation for their losses. Insurance companies might not prioritize your interests, and engaging with them without legal representation could hinder your recovery.
Please get in touch with our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys today for a free case evaluation and comprehensive consultation if you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident or have lost a loved one from a wrongful death in the LA area. The call and consultation are free, and your compensation may be waiting. For immediate assistance, call 323-238-4683.
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- Over $900M won
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Pedestrian Accident Law Firm in Los Angeles
What is the Average Payout for a Pedestrian Hit by a Car in California?
The value of your personal injury claim depends on the severity of the injuries you sustained. Pedestrian accidents with minor injuries may only be worth a few thousand dollars. More serious pedestrian accidents could lead to settlements or verdicts of seven or eight figures.
Expenses for hospital bills, lost income, earnings, and potential consortium can lead to a high settlement offer.
Major injuries like broken bones, spinal cord injuries, disfigurement, and severe lacerations or organ damage can be complex cases to settle. They will require the skills of an experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer with years of experience maximizing the damages in your case.
How Much Do Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Charge?
At Bisnar Chase, we offer a contingency fee basis for payment. Unless we win your case, you will not be charged. We also work to reduce your medical bills (hospital, doctor, paramedics) so that you keep more of your settlement.
We only collect a percentage from the pedestrian accident claims from the proceeds; you will never pay us directly. In California, a personal injury attorney rate is 33-40%. Our fee is at the lowest end of the sliding scale.
If you’re seeking legal assistance after an accident, you might want to search for a “personal injury attorney near me” to find qualified professionals in your area but be warned, those results may turn up lead farms and those are not typically trusted law firms.
Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way in California?
In California, pedestrians do not always have the right of way. In addition to obeying traffic laws, pedestrians must surrender to vehicles when crossing any crosswalk at a junction, whether marked or not.
Pedestrians who violate these laws—for example, by jaywalking or crossing the street against the light—may not always have the right of way and may even be held partially or entirely responsible for the accident.
What if I am partially responsible for the accident?
This is called comparative negligence and can reduce the amount of money you will receive in your personal injury payout. You can still file a pedestrian accident claim, but you may receive less, depending on the percentage of fault you are found liable for.
Is Jaywalking Legal in California?
In California, jaywalking is prohibited. Particular regulations forbid pedestrians from crossing the roadway outside of crosswalks or violating traffic signals. Because breaking these restrictions puts both drivers and pedestrians in danger, it is illegal and subject to fines.
How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Claim in California?
In California, the statute of limitations is two years. To protect your right to fair compensation, you must file your claim before the statute expires.
How long will my case take?
The length of time it will take to settle your case will depend on many factors, including the cooperation of the defense, the insurance company, and the courts. On average an injury claim can take a few months to a few years if it is complex.
Most of the time spent on your case is spent setting up interviews, hiring experts if needed, collecting your medical records, attending meetings with the legal team to discuss your case, and attending negotiation meetings.
There can be a lot of back and forth with the other side, and if your injury attorney moved to quickly settle your insurance claim, they are not working hard enough for you. A quick settlement is money left on the table.
Economic Damages in a Pedestrian Accident
Victims of pedestrian accidents typically have to miss work while healing. In some cases, they can never return to work or at least earn what they once could earn.
Economic damages after a pedestrian accident can include:
- Medical expenses for treatment of injuries sustained in the accident.
- Lost wages due to being unable to work due to the injuries sustained in the accident.
- Rehabilitation costs for physical therapy, medical equipment, and other treatments related to the injuries.
- Property damage to a cell phone, wallet, or clothing was damaged in the accident.
- Funeral expenses if the accident results in death.
- Pain and suffering due to the physical and emotional trauma of the accident.
- Punitive damages if it applies
Proving negligence in accidents involving pedestrians
Having evidence in your case is paramount to winning financial compensation. To win, you have to prove the following:
- Damages you suffered
- Duty of care owed to you
- Duty of care breached
- Causation for the injuries
Fortunately, compensation may be available for these losses if the at-fault driver’s negligence contributed to the crash. Contact our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys in Los Angeles for a free personal injury claim evaluation.
Our Awards and Honors in the Legal Community
Bisnar Chase has a stellar reputation in the legal community and has earned the honor of being one of the top personal injury law firms in the United States. Our dedication to providing superior client services is the guiding light of our mission statement.
We will always fight for our clients and work hard to earn your trust.
Seeking Justice is What We Do Every Day
Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident
Immediately following your accident,, you need to make sure you take steps to protect your health and your rights.
- Immediately move to safety out of the road
- Call 911 for medical assistance if you are injured
- Do not admit to any fault to law enforcement
- Gather evidence such as video and pictures along with witness statements
- Collect the driver’s insurance and driver’s license information, as well as the license plate numbers
- Get a copy of the police report
- Notify the defendant’s insurance company
Finally, call a Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney to protect your rights and represent you in the legal claim. Let your attorney do all the talking with the defendant and their insurance company. Do not talk about your personal life on social media, as that can be used against you in your case.
Common Physical Injuries From a Pedestrian Accident
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Skull fractures
- Paralysis
- Mental distress
- Broken bones—legs, arms, ankles
- Scarring
- Head injuries
- Neck and Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Severe road rash
- Amputations
- Fatalities or permanent disabilities
A personal injury lawyer regularly handles catastrophic injury cases and has the experience to maximize compensation for serious harm or disability. An effective legal team can often win 3-4 times as much for their clients than if you handled the case on your own.
We will advocate for you in our legal representation to provide advice and protection. Call our Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorneys today for a free consultation. Call 323-238-4683.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
- Drunk driving
- reckless driving
- Running stop signs and red lights
- backing up into people
- Unsafe lane changes in a crosswalk
- Dangerous driving in school zones
- Failure to yield
- Distracted walking
- Jaywalking
Dangerous Drivers in LA County
Driver negligence is one of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles. Examples of driver negligence that can result in pedestrian accidents include:
Excessive speed
Pedestrian accidents are a serious and growing problem in Los Angeles. Excessive speed is one of the primary causes of these collisions, with tragic consequences for drivers and pedestrians involved.
Studies show that driving at a safer speed on city streets can reduce pedestrian deaths by up to 40%. Most excessive speeding accidents involve young people who may not realize the danger they’re putting themselves or others in while driving too fast.
Drivers should understand the importance of slowing down near intersections or areas where there are high pedestrian volumes. It has been found that if an individual is moving faster than 25 mph, their risk for deadly injury increases significantly due to a lack of reaction time, given a person’s body size vs. vehicle weight and velocity.
Driving drunk
Motorists who are under the influence of alcohol may have impaired reaction times. This means they may struggle to react quickly to avoid striking a pedestrian.
Drunk driving is clearly a problem because, in recent years, 79 fatalities and 1,989 injuries, including brain injuries, occurred as the result of drunk driving collisions in the city of Los Angeles; many of those victims were pedestrians.
Driving distracted
Distracted driving is a major problem on roads today. It’s estimated that around 3 million people are injured in car crashes each year, and many of those accidents can be prevented by paying attention to the act of driving.
Distractions such as talking or texting while behind the wheel take away from focusing on important aspects like speed limits, traffic signals, pedestrians, and other objects around you.
Unfortunately, these distractions frequently lead to pedestrian-related injuries, and the outcomes of accidents caused by distracted driving are not always happy ones.
At Bisnar Chase, our Los Angeles law firm has worked hard for over 45 years with clients affected by no fault but their own due to careless acts related to negligent drivers’ distraction, resulting in complications that cause life-changing experiences.
Knowing your rights under California law pays off in terms of getting the best possible compensation.
Deadly pedestrian statistics
The latest pedestrian accident statistics for LA County indicate a troubling trend in pedestrian fatalities. As of mid-2024, pedestrian fatalities have been increasing, with the LA Police Department noting a significant rise over recent years.
Notably, 90 pedestrians lost their lives in the city as a result of vehicle collisions from January 1 to July 2024.
This is part of a larger pattern of increasing traffic fatalities in LA County. Additionally, California’s pedestrian fatality rate is approximately 25% higher than the national average, making it the state with the highest number of pedestrian deaths on its roadways.
Over the past two decades, pedestrian fatalities in California have steadily increased. From 2001 to 2020, pedestrian fatalities increased by 58%, from 523 to 827. In addition, pedestrian injuries increased by 12% during the same period, from 6,842 in 2001 to 7,664 in 2020.
The data also reveals certain trends and patterns in pedestrian accidents. For instance, distracted or intoxicated drivers frequently contribute to the majority of pedestrian fatalities that occur in urban areas and at night. Older adults and children are more vulnerable to pedestrian accidents.
Protecting your right to fair compensation
Hiring an experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney can help victims navigate the legal process and obtain the compensation they deserve. A lawyer can help families seek justice and hold negligent parties accountable in pedestrian accident cases of serious injuries or fatalities. Act quickly after a pedestrian accident is important to preserve evidence and protect your legal rights.
can I sue the city if negligence caused my pedestrian accident?
Yes, you can potentially sue the city if negligence on their part contributed to your pedestrian accident. For instance, if the accident resulted from poorly maintained sidewalks, inadequate signage, malfunctioning traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions that the city failed to address, you might have a case.
However, suing a government entity involves specific legal procedures and deadlines, often called “sovereign immunity” exceptions.
In California, you typically need to file a claim with the city within six months of the accident before you can file a pedestrian accident lawsuit.
Dangerous drivers are not the only reason walking in LA County is dangerous. LA is a large city with many poorly designed and maintained areas. Potentially dangerous intersections may have:
- Inadequate line of sight for speed limit postings and stop signs.
- Faded stop, yield, and crosswalk signs. The government is responsible for ensuring that roadways and signs are properly maintained.
- Poorly coordinated traffic signals. Some intersections confuse pedestrians, and many do not allow enough time to cross safely.
- Traffic signals are in disrepair.
- Poor design. Is the intersection inherently dangerous because of where it’s located?
- Lack of crosswalks.
- Dangerous crosswalks are hazardous due to their location or because they lack lights or visible signs to warn motorists.
Personal injury attorneys are seeing more pedestrian accident cases, said John Bisnar. “There are many transportation options in Los Angeles, including many pedestrians on bicycles and walking. The more congested the city becomes with commuters, the more injuries we see to those walking and dealing with aggressive drivers.”
Is It Safe to Ride Bicycles in Los Angeles?
Bicycle accidents and scooter accidents are more prevalent in LA than anywhere else in the country. Many bicycle riders and pedestrians are cautious of vehicle traffic and reckless speeding drivers but don’t always have the opportunity to see danger coming.
Bicycle riders and joggers who share the road with automobiles and motorcycles have a larger chance of getting struck, rundown, seriously injured, or killed than the majority of pedestrians who walk sidewalks and public pathways that are in close proximity to roadways.
LA is a popular city among cyclists, but safety is a serious issue. Despite the many bike lanes that have been added to some of the busiest streets in downtown LA, there are still risks associated with cycling due to traffic congestion and other hazards such as potholes or uneven pavement.
To stay safe while riding your bicycle in LA County it’s important to always wear protective gear like helmets and gloves.
- Obey all laws related to biking
- Remain alert on roads for cars moving quickly around you
- Ride defensively by using hand signals before turning
- Avoid making sudden moves when riding close behind another cyclist or vehicle
- Carry supplies like flat tire repair kits just in case anything goes wrong during your trip
If you have been hit by a car while riding a bicycle, contact our LA pedestrian accident attorneys at 323-238-4683. To learn more about how to avoid hit and runs, visit Bicycle Safe.
Ways Pedestrians Get Hit in Los Angeles
Besides a vehicle running someone down in a crosswalk or by hopping a sidewalk, there are many other ways pedestrians can get hit:
Walking behind a car when it is backing up
When you see bright white lights on the back of a vehicle, this means the vehicle is currently in reverse and most likely about to start reversing. Avoid walking behind a car with reverse lights on.
Walking on train tracks
Most people assume that they will always hear a train coming and therefore it’s safe to walk the tracks. Many students and even homeless people use the train tracks as a shortcut to their destinations. Train accidents are almost always catastrophic.
Not using a crosswalk
Use a crosswalk appropriately when attempting to cross a roadway. Vehicles are not expecting pedestrians to cross in the middle of the road.
Also, try not to run through a crosswalk to beat the oncoming traffic. You risk getting run down, could fall and hurt yourself or could cause a car accident due to approaching vehicles having to suddenly stop.
Lack of eye contact
Cars yielding to moving traffic on a right turn: when a car is pulled out on a right corner, the driver is most likely waiting for a break in the oncoming traffic so they can proceed with their right turn.
Their attention is most likely focused on the left side of the car watching the vehicles coming towards them and is most likely not expecting to see a pedestrian walking in front of their car when they look forward to proceeding with their right turn. Wait to make eye contact with the driver so you are confident in their awareness of your location in front of their car.
If you’ve been injured, contact us for a free case review. Our Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyers are seasoned negotiators and have decades of experience in California courtrooms. Pedestrian accident victims need an expert in their corner to recover maximum compensation. Call 323-238-4683 today.
Pedestrians Can Cause Car Accidents (Mutual Fault)
It is possible that a pedestrian can also be at-fault for their injuries. If they were reckless and had a hand in causing the accident then the damages can be reduced. This is known as comparative negligence and it can reduce your compensation by up to 40% depending on how involved you were in causing the accident.
If a pedestrian runs out when a vehicle is approaching and they must suddenly brake for the pedestrian, they could be rear-ended, cause a traffic jam which could result in multiple vehicle-related accidents, and could potentially cause severe property damage, serious injury, or catastrophic results.
If you have been involved in a car accident as the result of a car vs. pedestrian, call and speak with one of our Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorneys for a free consultation.
Most Dangerous Intersections in Los Angeles
A recent magazine report listed LA County as third among the most dangerous cities in the world for pedestrians. According to the report, for every 100,000 pedestrians in Los Angeles, there are 7.64 fatalities suffered in pedestrian accidents.
Why is Los Angeles ranked only below Atlanta and Detroit? While there are a number of roadways in Los Angeles that can be conducive for pedestrians, dangerous drivers and hazardous roadways and intersections can make walking risky in this city.
According to MoneyGeek, the five most dangerous intersections in LA are
- E. Manchester Ave. and Avalon Blvd.
- W. Manchester Ave. and S. Vermont Ave.
- Victory Blvd. and Lindley Ave.
- W. Manchester Ave. and S. Normandie Ave.
- S. Vermont Ave. and W. Florence Ave.
The data also states that downtown LA has the intersections with the most crashes.
Los Angeles, California Crosswalk Laws
Under California laws, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks. Drivers are also required to exercise due care when it comes to pedestrians. Here are some of the laws relating to drivers and pedestrians:
- At crosswalks: Under California Vehicle Code 21950, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians legally crossing the roadway “within any marked crosswalk or any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.”
- Outside of crosswalks: Under California Vehicle Code 21954, pedestrians attempting to cross the road outside a crosswalk and away from an intersection “shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.” However, this vehicle code does not excuse drivers from failing to exercise due care when it comes to avoiding striking pedestrians.
Pedestrian laws in California
- Crosswalk right of way CVCS 21950
- Parking restrictions near crosswalks Assembly Bill 413
LA Pedestrian Safety Tips
Even pedestrians who are obeying the law can be involved in an accident if a driver is behaving negligently. Here are a few tips to help you avoid being injured in a LA County pedestrian accident:
- Walk sober: Walking while intoxicated can be as dangerous as driving under the influence. According to The Governors Highway Safety Council, one third of pedestrians killed nationwide have blood alcohol levels of .08 percent or higher.
- Wear bright clothing: When walking late at night, it is important to wear bright clothing and to carry a flashlight.
- Walk toward traffic: If there is no sidewalk, you should walk to the far left side of the road facing traffic.
- Stay attentive: It is easy to forget that drivers can pull out of driveways at any moment. Keep your phone in your pocket and your eyes on your surroundings.
- Never enter traffic from between cars: Motorists will have a difficult time seeing you if you are standing between parked vehicles or if you walk into the roadway from between parked cars.
- Never dart into traffic: This is extremely dangerous and could result in serious pedestrian injuries.
No Win No Fee Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you could seek compensation for damages from the at-fault parties such as negligent drivers or governmental agencies that allow dangerous conditions to exist on the roadway.
Any personal injury claim against governmental entities must be filed within 180 days of the incident. Your insurance policy may not cover you fully for damages. Contact our top-rated California personal injury lawyers to preserve your rights.
If you or a loved one has suffered a pedestrian accident injury, please call and ask to speak to a highly skilled and experienced crosswalk accident lawyer for free at 323-238-4683.
Serving California Since 1978
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated personal injury law firm with a national reputation. The firm has been in business since 1978 and has represented thousands of clients. Based in Newport Beach and with offices across California, Bisnar Chase has recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts, emphasizing superior client representation above all.
Brian Chase
Articles and blogs have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
