Being a pedestrian in a lively city like Los Angeles shouldn't involve risking your life, but the reality is often far different. With busy streets in areas like Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Downtown LA, pedestrian accidents are tragically common. If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may feel overwhelmed, angry, and lost about what to do next. Medical bills pile up, time off work takes its toll, and dealing with insurance companies can make things worse.
This is when you need an experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer to fight for your rights. Legal Fighters has the experience, skill, and determination to hold reckless drivers accountable, protect your interests, and secure the compensation you need to heal and move forward.
SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATIONLos Angeles Pedestrian Accident Guide
- Why Choose Legal Fighters for Your Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Claim
- How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles, CA?
- Do I Have a Pedestrian Accident Case in Los Angeles?
- What Duty Do Motorists Owe to Pedestrians?
- What if I’m Partly to Blame for My Injuries?
- The Insurance Company Made Me an Offer. Should I Take It?
- Compensation Available to Pedestrian Accident Victims in Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Claims FAQs
- Contact the Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Legal Fighters Today
Why Choose Legal Fighters for Your Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Claim
At Legal Fighters, we understand that every case is personal, especially when someone else's careless actions have turned your life upside down. This is why we approach every claim with compassion, strategy, and go above and beyond to get results.
Some of the reasons to place your trust in Legal Fighters:
- Our Proven Track Record – With over $2.5 billion recovered for our clients, including landmark wins like a $1.8 billion verdict, we have a history of delivering exceptional results.
- Access to Elite Experts – Your case won't just have one great attorney; it will have a team. We partner with the nation's most skilled attorneys, accident reconstruction specialists, and medical experts, ensuring no stone is left unturned in pursuing justice.
- Compassionate Advocacy – You’re not just a case number to us. We genuinely care about your recovery and your future. Our team will handle the legal complexities, so you can focus on healing.
Unlike other firms that make empty promises, our results speak for themselves. Contact us today to see how we can help you achieve justice and fair compensation for your injuries.
How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles, CA?
Los Angeles is a city designed for cars, but its sidewalks are constantly filled with people walking to work, shopping at The Grove, or enjoying the Santa Monica Pier or Hollywood Walk of Fame. Unfortunately, this mix of heavy traffic and high pedestrian activity often leads to devastating accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 7,000 pedestrians were killed in traffic-related incidents in the U.S. last year. That's about one death every 75 minutes. California leads the nation in pedestrian fatalities, with nearly 1,000 deaths annually and thousands more injured.
Within Los Angeles alone, pedestrian accidents account for roughly 20% of all traffic-related fatalities each year. From crosswalk collisions in Downtown LA to accidents along busy streets like Hollywood Boulevard, these incidents often result in life-changing injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Severe lacerations and burns
These injuries can leave victims facing years of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and emotional trauma. And tragically, many families also experience the heartbreaking loss of a loved one due to a driver's negligence.
Legal Fighters understands the immense toll a pedestrian accident can take. We’re here to help make things right and ensure you have the resources you need to rebuild your life.
Do I Have a Pedestrian Accident Case in Los Angeles?
To determine whether you have a pedestrian accident claim, it’s essential to understand the legal concept of negligence, which forms the foundation of most personal injury lawsuits. Negligence occurs when someone fails to act with proper care, causing harm to another person.
To establish a valid pedestrian accident claim in Los Angeles, you must prove these four elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care – Motorists owe a legal duty of care to pedestrians. This means they must drive responsibly, follow traffic laws, and avoid putting others in harm's way.
- Breach of Duty – When a driver behaves recklessly—like speeding through a crosswalk or running a red light—they violate their duty of care.
- Causation – You must show that the driver’s breach of duty directly caused your injuries. For example, if a distracted driver hit you in a Santa Monica crosswalk, their distraction would be the direct cause of your injuries.
- Damages – Finally, you need to demonstrate the harm you suffered, such as medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, or emotional distress.
These elements can be complicated to prove, which is why you need a skilled Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer on your side. Legal Fighters will investigate your case thoroughly, gathering evidence like traffic camera footage, witness statements, and medical records to build a strong claim on your behalf.
What Duty Do Motorists Owe to Pedestrians?
California law is clear about the responsibilities that drivers have to keep pedestrians safe, and for good reason. Streets like those in Downtown LA are often packed with people crossing roads, boarding buses, or riding bikes. Drivers must exercise caution to prevent accidents.
Some key duties that motorists owe to pedestrians include:
- Yielding Right of Way – Drivers are required to stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks and intersections.
- Obeying Speed Limits – Speed limits exist to protect everyone on the road. A car traveling even 10 mph over the limit can cause catastrophic injuries in a pedestrian collision.
- Avoiding Distractions – Texting while driving is illegal in California, yet distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents.
That said, pedestrians also have a duty to follow the rules of the road, such as obeying traffic signals and avoiding jaywalking. However, even if you were partially at fault for an accident, you might still be entitled to compensation under California’s comparative negligence laws.
What if I’m Partly to Blame for My Injuries?
After a pedestrian accident, it’s common to wonder if your own actions contributed to what happened. While drivers often bear the primary responsibility for pedestrian accidents—due to speeding, distracted driving, or other negligence—pedestrians can sometimes play a role. For example, jaywalking, crossing against traffic signals, or walking while distracted by a phone are behaviors that might contribute to an accident.
However, under California’s pure comparative negligence rule, being partly at fault doesn’t mean you’re automatically disqualified from seeking compensation. Instead, your potential award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you’re found 25% responsible for the accident, you would still receive 75% of your compensation. Legal Fighters can help you determine the true extent of liability and ensure you aren’t unfairly blamed for more than your share of the accident.
The Insurance Company Made Me an Offer. Should I Take It?
Receiving a quick settlement offer from an insurance company can be tempting, especially when medical bills and other expenses are piling up. However, it’s almost always in your best interest to consult a lawyer before accepting any offer. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and their main goal is to pay out as little as possible for claims.
Common tactics they use include offering a lowball settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries, pressuring you to settle quickly, or disputing liability to weaken your claim. Once you accept their offer, you lose the ability to pursue additional compensation later—even if it turns out your medical expenses are far higher than originally estimated.
At Legal Fighters, we’ll review your case thoroughly and negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive a fair settlement that truly reflects the value of your losses.
Compensation Available to Pedestrian Accident Victims in Los Angeles
Pedestrian accident victims in Los Angeles may be entitled to several types of compensation, depending on the circumstances of their case. Legal Fighters works tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation available to ensure your physical, emotional, and financial losses are accounted for. Common forms of compensation include the following:
- Medical Expenses – Coverage for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any ongoing medical care needed due to the accident.
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings – Compensation for time missed from work, as well as any reduction in earning capacity caused by long-term or permanent injuries.
- Pain and Suffering – Damages to account for the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life resulting from the accident.
- Wrongful Death Damages – If you’ve lost a loved one due to a pedestrian accident, you may pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
Every pedestrian accident case is unique, which is why Legal Fighters takes the time to fully understand the impact of your injuries and advocate for the comprehensive compensation you deserve.
Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Claims FAQs
Here are answers to frequently asked questions regarding pedestrian accident claims:
How much does a personal injury attorney cost?
Most personal injury attorneys, including those at Legal Fighters, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay any upfront costs, and the lawyer only gets paid if they recover compensation for you. Typically, the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, which will be discussed during your consultation. This arrangement ensures quality legal representation is available to everyone, regardless of financial resources.
What is the statute of limitations for filing a pedestrian accident claim in California?
California law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the accident resulted in a fatality, family members have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Missing this deadline could bar you from pursuing compensation, so it’s critical to act as soon as possible.
Can I still recover damages if I wasn’t in a crosswalk?
Yes, crossing outside a crosswalk doesn’t automatically prevent you from recovering damages. While drivers often argue that pedestrians outside crosswalks are at fault, California law still requires drivers to exercise reasonable care. Many pedestrian accident claims involve shared fault, so it’s essential to speak with an attorney to understand how the law applies to your situation.
What is the process of filing a pedestrian accident claim?
Filing a pedestrian accident claim starts with consulting an attorney to evaluate your case. After that, your lawyer will gather evidence, such as police reports, medical records, and witness testimonies, to build a strong case. They will then file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company, negotiate a fair settlement, or, if necessary, take your case to court. Legal Fighters handles every step of the process, so you can focus on your recovery.
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured?
If the driver was uninsured, you may still have options to recover compensation. One possibility is filing a claim under your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, if you have it. Additionally, Legal Fighters can explore other avenues, such as identifying liable third parties, to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Don’t assume you have no options—talk to our attorneys for guidance.
What role does evidence play in a pedestrian accident claim?
Evidence is crucial in establishing liability and proving the extent of your damages. Key evidence includes photos of the accident scene, witness statements, medical records, police reports, and traffic camera footage. Strong evidence can strengthen your claim and increase the likelihood of full compensation. Legal Fighters will thoroughly investigate your case to collect and preserve the evidence needed for your claim.
Contact the Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Legal Fighters Today
When you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, the legal process can feel overwhelming. A skilled Los Angeles personal injury attorney can make all the difference by handling your case while you focus on healing. At Legal Fighters, we will:
- Investigate your accident thoroughly to determine liability.
- Negotiate with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement.
- Bring in expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals, to strengthen your case.
- Represent you in court, if necessary, and fight tirelessly for maximum compensation.
With decades of experience and over $2.5 billion recovered for clients, we have the knowledge, resources, and compassion to stand up for you in even the toughest cases. Contact us today at (800) 210-0000 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation. Don’t wait—your fight for justice starts now with Legal Fighters.