Pedestrian accidents often cause catastrophic, lifelong injuries because people on foot have little protection from the force of a crash. In turn, injured pedestrians may miss weeks or months of work and face financial stress from medical bills. Seeking legal help is essential if you’re struggling after a pedestrian accident.
The Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at Dordick Law Corporation can help you pursue fair compensation and rebuild your life after a crash. Since our founding in 1987, our skilled attorneys have recovered billions in compensation for our clients, including several record-breaking awards. Firm founder Gary A. Dordick personally oversees every case to maintain our quality standards. Your initial consultation is free, and you don’t owe us any fees unless you recover compensation. Call (310) 551-0949 now or complete our contact form to speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Los Angeles.
What Our Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Can Do for You
The stakes are high after a pedestrian accident, and recovering maximum compensation requires significant time, energy, and resources. Your job is to focus on healing while our Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorneys handle the rest. We’ll start by investigating the crash, gathering witness statements, traffic camera footage, and police reports. This evidence helps us determine how the crash happened and identify who caused it. We’ll also explore every available source of insurance coverage and compensation to maximize your claim’s value.
Next, our team will collect your medical records, calculate your current and future expenses, and build legal arguments. We’ll communicate directly with the insurance companies so you don’t have to deal with their calls or pressure tactics. If they offer less than your claim’s worth, we’ll negotiate for a better deal or take your case to court. We’ll also guide you through each step, explain your options, and answer any questions you have.
How Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Los Angeles
Tragically, pedestrian accidents are rising throughout the country, including here in Los Angeles. California law specifies that pedestrians should only cross the street at crosswalks to avoid causing crashes. However, state law also requires drivers to exercise “due care” toward pedestrians and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Most pedestrian accidents happen because drivers engage in careless or unsafe behavior, such as:
- Failing to Yield at Crosswalks – Many drivers don’t stop for pedestrians with the legal right of way at marked or unmarked crosswalks.
- Running Red Lights or Stop Signs – Drivers who ignore traffic signals or stop signs can hit a pedestrian legally crossing the street.
- Speeding – High speeds reduce a driver’s ability to see, react, or stop in time to avoid hitting someone crossing a street.
- Turning Without Checking – Drivers often overlook pedestrians while making right or left turns at intersections.
- Distracted Driving – Texting, using GPS devices, adjusting music, and other distractions take a driver’s attention away from people crossing the road.
- Driving Under the Influence – Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol have slower reaction times and poor judgment, making collisions with pedestrians more likely.
- Backing Up Without Looking – Drivers reversing out of driveways or parking spots may not see pedestrians behind them if they aren’t paying attention.
- Failing to Use Headlights at Night or in Bad Weather – Poor visibility at night or in bad weather makes it harder for drivers to see pedestrians, especially in unlit areas.
- Reckless or Aggressive Driving – Drivers who weave through traffic or ignore traffic laws put pedestrians (and other road users) in severe danger.
Who’s Liable for a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident?
Legal liability for a pedestrian accident is usually based on negligence. In other words, the person or institution who’s liable is the one whose careless actions caused the crash. Based on how the collision occurred, the potentially liable parties in these cases include:
- The Driver of a Motor Vehicle – A substantial percentage of pedestrian accidents happen because drivers are speeding, distracted, or fail to yield the right-of-way.
- A Commercial Vehicle Company – If a delivery truck or company vehicle hits a pedestrian, the company may share responsibility for the accident.
- A Government Agency – A city or county may be liable if poor road design, broken signals, or unsafe crosswalks contributed to the crash.
- A Rideshare Driver – Uber or Lyft drivers may be responsible if they caused the accident while picking up or dropping off riders. You typically can’t sue a rideshare company directly after an accident, but you can pursue an insurance claim against them.
- A Bus or Transit Operator – Public and private bus companies can be liable for pedestrian injuries resulting from careless or inattentive drivers.
- A Construction Company – Improper signage or detours that push pedestrians into traffic may make a construction company liable for a collision.
- A Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer – If a vehicle defect (such as faulty brakes) caused the crash, the manufacturer could be liable.
What if a Pedestrian is Partially Liable for an Accident?
Some pedestrian accidents involve careless actions by the pedestrian, making them partly liable. However, many pedestrians can still recover compensation if they’re partly liable for the crash.
That’s because California uses a “pure” comparative negligence system. Pure comparative negligence means someone can recover compensation for their injuries as they’re not fully responsible for an accident. In these cases, the injured pedestrian’s compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault, which the courts determine based on the evidence.
For example, suppose a pedestrian steps into the street outside of a crosswalk at night, and then a car hits them. The pedestrian broke the law, making them partly liable. If, however, the driver was distracted, speeding, impaired, or otherwise negligent, the driver would also be partly liable. Based on these circumstances, a court might decide the pedestrian is 40 percent responsible for the accident. That would mean the pedestrian could still recover compensation, but their award would be reduced by 40 percent.
Protecting Your Legal Rights After a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident
Taking proper precautions after a pedestrian accident reduces your chance of errors that could hurt your legal case. Start by following your doctor’s treatment plan and keeping detailed records of your treatments. Save all medical bills, prescriptions, and receipts related to your care for later reference. Similarly, document any missed work, your pain levels, and how your injuries affect your daily life.
Avoid talking to the driver’s insurance company without speaking to a lawyer first. They may use your words against you. Also, do not post about the accident or your injuries on social media. Insurance companies often monitor your online activity and may use seemingly innocent comments or photos against you.
Once your treatments are underway, request a copy of the police report and review it for accuracy. If there are any mistakes, let your attorney know right away. Finally, contact a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. With proper legal support, you can focus on healing while your attorney fights to protect your rights.
Compensation in Pedestrian Accident Claims
Depending on your injuries, lost income, and other factors, your pedestrian accident claim could include compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced future earnings
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Damaged personal property (if applicable)
Deadline to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit
In most cases, you have two years after a pedestrian accident to sue any potentially liable parties. Talk to a Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney right away to give them ample time to build your case.
Our Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Help
Things might seem unmanageable after a pedestrian accident, but you have options and a path forward. Dordick Law Corporation can help you recover the resources you need to heal and rebuild your life. Call (310) 551-0949 now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
