Hit by a Car in Los Angeles? You Have Rights. Get Help Now.

Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles: A Growing Crisis

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation reports that pedestrians account for a disproportionate share of traffic fatalities in the city. High-risk corridors include Figueroa Street, Vermont Avenue, Western Avenue, and major intersections throughout South LA, East LA, and Downtown. Vision Zero LA — the city's traffic safety initiative — aims to eliminate traffic deaths, but dangerous conditions persist.

When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, the injuries are almost always severe. The force of impact — even at relatively low speeds — can cause catastrophic harm. Drivers have a legal duty of care to watch for pedestrians; when they fail that duty, they can be held liable.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in LA

• Failure to yield at crosswalks — California law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks
• Distracted driving — phone use, GPS, eating while driving
• Speeding — pedestrian fatality risk increases sharply above 30 mph
• Running red lights and stop signs
• Drunk and impaired driving — especially late night and early morning
• Turning without checking for pedestrians — right and left turns at busy intersections
• Backing out of driveways and parking lots
• Poor visibility — inadequate street lighting, weather conditions

Injuries Commonly Seen in Pedestrian Accident Cases

Because pedestrians have no physical protection, injuries tend to be more severe than those in vehicle-to-vehicle crashes:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and skull fractures
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Multiple fractures (pelvis, legs, arms, ribs)
• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
• Severe road rash and soft tissue injuries
• Amputations
• Wrongful death (in the most severe cases)
• PTSD, depression, and long-term psychological trauma

What Compensation Can a Pedestrian Accident Victim Recover?

California law allows injured pedestrians to pursue compensation for the full scope of their losses, including:

• All medical expenses — ER, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, ongoing care
• Future medical costs — projected treatment for long-term or permanent injuries
• Lost income — wages lost during recovery
• Reduced earning capacity — if your injuries impact your ability to work
• Pain and suffering — physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages — if a loved one was killed, surviving family may recover funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship

Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws in California

California Vehicle Code § 21950 requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing in any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Drivers must also exercise due care to avoid striking pedestrians anywhere on a roadway (CVC § 21954).

Even if a pedestrian was jaywalking or partially at fault, California's pure comparative fault rule (Cal. Civ. Code § 1714) means you can still recover damages. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault — but you are not barred from recovery entirely. Don't let an insurance adjuster tell you otherwise.

Hit and Run Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles

Unfortunately, hit and run incidents are common in LA. If the driver who struck you fled the scene, you may still have options:

• Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage — if you have auto insurance yourself, your UM coverage may apply to pedestrian accidents
• California Victim Compensation Board — provides financial assistance to crime victims, including hit and run victims
• Surveillance footage and witnesses — an attorney can help track down evidence that identifies the driver

The Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accidents in California

You have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). If the accident involved a government-owned vehicle (city bus, county vehicle, LAPD), you must file a government tort claim within 6 months of the incident — or lose your right to sue.

Medical treatment, police reports, and witness statements become harder to obtain as time passes. Contact an attorney as soon as you are physically able.