Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Pedestrians have almost no protection when struck by a car, truck, motorcycle, bus, rideshare vehicle, or delivery van. Even a relatively low-speed impact can cause traumatic brain injuries, fractures, spinal damage, internal injuries, permanent disability, or death.
When a negligent driver injures someone walking, crossing a street, entering a parking lot, or standing near the roadway, the injured person may have the right to pursue compensation.
Royal Capital Law Group represents pedestrians and families affected by serious accidents throughout Los Angeles and across California. We investigate what happened, preserve video and electronic evidence, challenge attempts to blame the pedestrian, and pursue the compensation our clients deserve.
Contact Royal Capital Law Group today for a free consultation. You pay no attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you.
California Drivers Must Watch for Pedestrians
California recognizes pedestrians as vulnerable road users. The California DMV states that pedestrians generally have the right of way in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. Drivers approaching crosswalks must look for pedestrians and be prepared to stop.
A green traffic signal does not give a driver permission to proceed without checking for pedestrians already in the intersection. The California DMV instructs drivers to yield to pedestrians and proceed only when it is safe.
Drivers must also watch for pedestrians when turning right or left, entering an intersection, backing out of a driveway, leaving a parking space, driving through parking lots, approaching schools, passing stopped vehicles, entering or exiting alleys, and driving near public transportation stops.
Los Angeles Pedestrians
Injured as a Pedestrian in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles pedestrians regularly share the road with heavy traffic, rideshare vehicles, delivery drivers, buses, motorcycles, bicycles, and drivers navigating crowded intersections. A pedestrian accident may occur in many situations. After the accident, the driver or insurance company may claim that the pedestrian appeared suddenly, crossed outside a crosswalk, or was distracted — those allegations do not automatically determine responsibility.
A pedestrian accident may occur while
- Crossing in a marked crosswalk
- Crossing at an unmarked crosswalk
- Walking through an intersection
- Entering or leaving a parking lot
- Walking along a sidewalk
- Crossing a driveway
- Getting into or out of a vehicle
- Walking near a school or park
- Using a wheelchair or mobility device
- Working near a roadway
- Walking through a parking garage
- Standing near a bus stop
A complete investigation examines
- Traffic signals and timing
- Vehicle speed
- Lighting conditions
- Crosswalk locations
- Vehicle damage
- Surveillance footage
- Cellphone use
- Witness testimony
- Driver's opportunity to avoid the collision
- Electronic vehicle data
- Roadway design
- Prior incidents at the location
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Royal Capital Law Group After a Pedestrian Accident?
Pedestrian cases often involve severe injuries and aggressive insurance defenses. We build the claim around the evidence instead of allowing the driver's insurer to rely on assumptions about pedestrian behavior.
EVIDENCE PRESERVATION
- Preserve surveillance and dashcam footage
- Review traffic-signal timing
- Examine vehicle electronic data
- Investigate driver's cellphone use
- Photograph crosswalks and sight lines
INVESTIGATION
- Obtain police and collision reports
- Locate and interview witnesses
- Review lighting and roadway conditions
- Identify all responsible parties
- Locate applicable insurance coverage
FULL RECOVERY
- Document current and future medical needs
- Calculate lost income and earning capacity
- Handle insurance communications
- File a lawsuit when necessary
- Prepare the case for trial
Cases We Handle
Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle
Royal Capital Law Group represents pedestrians injured in every type of pedestrian accident scenario throughout Los Angeles and California.
Crosswalk Accidents
Drivers must approach crosswalks carefully and yield when required. California also recognizes unmarked crosswalks at many intersections — the lack of painted markings does not automatically mean the pedestrian had no right of way.
- Fails to slow down or yield
- Turns without checking
- Runs a red light or rolls through a stop sign
- Passes another stopped vehicle
- Speeds through an intersection
- Fails to see a pedestrian in time
Intersection Pedestrian Accidents
Intersections create conflict between pedestrians, turning vehicles, bicyclists, and through traffic.
- Drivers making left or right turns
- Right turn on red without stopping
- Vehicles entering on an active pedestrian signal
- Drivers focused on oncoming traffic only
- Vehicles blocking the crosswalk
- Poorly timed or defective signals
- Obstructed sight lines
Left-Turn and Right-Turn Accidents
A left-turning driver may focus on approaching vehicles and fail to notice a pedestrian already in the crosswalk. A driver making a right turn may look left for traffic while failing to check the crosswalk to the right — or roll through a red light.
Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents
A driver who strikes a pedestrian and leaves the scene may be difficult to identify, but compensation may still be available.
- Surveillance and doorbell-camera footage
- Dashcam recordings
- Witness statements
- License plate information
- Paint transfer and broken vehicle parts
- Uninsured motorist coverage
Drunk or Distracted-Driving Accidents
An impaired driver may have reduced judgment, slower reaction time, and limited awareness of pedestrians. Distracted drivers may fail to see pedestrians because they are texting, on the phone, checking navigation, reading rideshare requests, or eating.
- Cellphone records and app data
- Police and toxicology reports
- Video and witness testimony
Uber, Lyft, and Delivery Vehicle Accidents
Rideshare drivers may strike pedestrians while looking at the app, searching for a passenger, or stopping unsafely. Delivery trucks and commercial vehicles frequently operate in residential districts. The applicable insurance depends on the driver's app status and employment at the time of impact.
Parking Lot and Garage Accidents
Pedestrian accidents frequently happen when drivers back out without looking, speed through parking lanes, ignore stop markings, or use a phone while driving. Property owners or parking operators may also share responsibility when unsafe design, poor lighting, or missing signs contribute.
Driveway, Alley, and Sidewalk Accidents
Drivers exiting driveways, garages, and alleys must check for people using the sidewalk. Children, older adults, wheelchair users, and joggers may be particularly vulnerable. A driver may also jump the curb, lose control, or enter a sidewalk and strike someone near a building entrance.
School-Zone and Bus Accidents
Drivers should use extra caution near schools, playgrounds, and crossing guards. School-zone cases may involve speeding, illegal parking, unsafe drop-offs, or passing stopped vehicles. Bus accident claims involving a public transit agency may be subject to shorter administrative deadlines.
Accidents Involving Children
Children may have difficulty judging vehicle speed and distance, and drivers must use reasonable caution in areas where children are expected. A child pedestrian injury may require specialized care, long-term monitoring, rehabilitation, and future educational support.
Accidents Involving Older Adults
Older pedestrians may be more likely to suffer hip fractures, head trauma, spinal injuries, and complications requiring prolonged rehabilitation or personal care. A claim should account for the full medical and practical impact of the injury on the individual's daily life.
Speeding Accidents
Higher speeds reduce the time a driver has to see and avoid a pedestrian, and significantly increase injury severity. A driver may be negligent even when traveling below the posted limit if the speed was unsafe for an intersection, school zone, parking area, darkness, rain, or heavy pedestrian activity.
Negligence & Fault
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
More than one person, company, or public agency may share responsibility for the same collision. A proper investigation examines driver conduct, road design, signal timing, lighting, and electronic evidence.
- Failure to yield
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Unsafe left turns
- Unsafe right turns
- Running red lights
- Stop-sign violations
- Backing without looking
- Poor visibility
- Fatigued driving
- Aggressive driving
- Unsafe rideshare pickups
- Improper parking
- Inadequate street lighting
- Defective traffic signals
- Poor roadway design
- Missing crosswalk markings
- Construction-zone hazards
Accountability
Who May Be Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?
The responsible party depends on the specific facts. More than one party may share responsibility for the same collision.
The Driver
A driver may be responsible for failing to yield, driving distracted, speeding, turning without checking, driving while impaired, running a traffic signal, backing unsafely, or failing to use reasonable care in poor visibility.
The Vehicle Owner
A vehicle owner may share responsibility when the owner negligently allows an unsafe, unlicensed, or unqualified person to use the vehicle — even if the owner was not present at the time of the accident.
An Employer or Business
A business may be responsible when its employee causes the accident while performing work duties. This may apply to delivery drivers, sales employees, service technicians, commercial drivers, contractors, and company-vehicle operators.
A Rideshare Company or Insurer
When an Uber or Lyft driver is using the app, rideshare insurance may apply based on the driver's activity at the time of impact — whether offline, waiting for a request, traveling to a passenger, or transporting someone.
A Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer
A defective vehicle or component may cause or worsen a pedestrian accident, including defective brakes, steering, tires, acceleration systems, cameras, collision-warning systems, and automatic emergency braking.
A Property Owner or Business
A property owner may share responsibility when a dangerous driveway, obstructed sight line, poorly designed parking lot, or unsafe entrance contributes to the collision.
A Government Entity
A city, county, state agency, transit authority, or government contractor may potentially be responsible for defective traffic signals, missing signs, unsafe road design, poor lighting, dangerous intersections, improperly maintained crosswalks, or unsafe construction zones.
- Administrative claim generally within six months
- Special filing procedures apply
What If the Pedestrian Was Outside a Crosswalk?
Being outside a marked crosswalk does not automatically eliminate a pedestrian injury claim. The driver may still have been speeding, distracted, impaired, driving without headlights, failing to maintain a proper lookout, or able to avoid the collision.
An insurance company may attempt to place all blame on the pedestrian, but the evidence may support shared responsibility or show that the driver had the last clear opportunity to avoid the impact. Responsibility should be evaluated based on the conduct of both the driver and pedestrian.
What If the Pedestrian Was Partially Responsible?
Partial responsibility does not necessarily prevent an injured pedestrian from recovering compensation in California. An insurer may argue that the pedestrian crossed against a signal, was outside a crosswalk, used a phone, wore dark clothing, or had consumed alcohol. These claims must be tested against the evidence.
The driver may still have been speeding, distracted, impaired, or otherwise negligent. Any compensation may be affected by the percentage of responsibility assigned to each party, but a finding of partial fault does not eliminate the claim.
What If the Driver Has No Insurance?
Compensation may still be available through uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, a household automobile policy, rideshare insurance, an employer's commercial policy, another responsible party's coverage, medical payments coverage, or the at-fault party's assets. An uninsured motorist claim may still involve disputes over fault, injuries, and claim value.
Step-by-Step Guide
What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
Evidence in pedestrian accident cases can disappear within hours. Taking the right steps immediately can protect your health, preserve critical proof, and safeguard your legal rights.
Call 911
Request emergency medical assistance and law enforcement. Remain in a safe location when possible and do not attempt to continue walking if you may have a head, neck, spinal, or internal injury.
Seek Medical Treatment
Pedestrian impacts may cause serious injuries even when the person initially remains conscious and alert. Seek immediate care for any symptoms, including headache, confusion, dizziness, neck or back pain, chest pain, abdominal pain, numbness, weakness, difficulty walking, or loss of consciousness. Tell the medical provider that you were struck by a vehicle and describe every symptom.
Photograph the Scene
When it is safe, photograph or record:
- The vehicle, vehicle damage, and license plate
- The crosswalk, traffic signals, and signs
- Skid marks, debris, and lighting conditions
- Weather conditions
- Visible injuries, your clothing and shoes
- Nearby cameras and business names
Obtain Driver Information
Collect the driver's name, contact information, driver's license, vehicle registration, insurance information, license plate number, and employer or rideshare details when applicable.
Collect Witness Information
Ask witnesses for their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Independent witnesses may help establish the traffic signal, vehicle speed, pedestrian location, and driver behavior.
Preserve Clothing and Personal Items
Do not discard, wash, repair, or alter damaged clothing, shoes, bags, phones, mobility devices, or other items involved in the collision. They may become important evidence.
Avoid Admitting Fault or Giving Recorded Statements
Do not apologize, guess about the signal, or agree with the driver's version of events. You may not yet know whether the driver was speeding, distracted, intoxicated, or violating another rule. The driver's insurance company may contact you quickly — speak with an attorney before providing a detailed recorded statement or signing a broad medical authorization.
Do Not Accept a Quick Settlement
An early offer may not account for surgery, future rehabilitation, permanent disability, reduced earning capacity, or continuing pain. Once a full release is signed, you generally cannot request additional compensation from the released parties later.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Prompt action can help preserve video, vehicle data, witness testimony, and other important evidence. Nearby businesses, apartments, buses, homes, and vehicles may have recorded the accident — video should be requested promptly before it is deleted or overwritten.
Common Injuries
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Injuries We Handle
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Skull fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Hip fractures
- Pelvic fractures
- Leg and arm fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Crush injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Facial trauma
- Burns
- Amputations
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological trauma
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death
Traumatic brain injuries: A pedestrian may strike the vehicle, pavement, curb, or another object. Symptoms may include headaches, confusion, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, dizziness, sleep problems, and sensitivity to light or sound.
Spinal cord injuries: Spinal damage may cause chronic pain, weakness, reduced sensation, mobility limitations, or paralysis. These injuries may require rehabilitation, mobility equipment, home modifications, and long-term care.
Broken bones: Pedestrian impacts commonly cause fractures of the legs, arms, wrists, ankles, pelvis, ribs, spine, and face. Complex fractures may require multiple surgeries and prolonged physical therapy.
Amputations: A severe impact or crush injury may result in the traumatic or surgical loss of a limb. Future damages may include prosthetics, replacement devices, rehabilitation, home modifications, and reduced earning capacity.
Your Recovery
What Compensation May Be Available?
A pedestrian accident claim may include compensation for economic and non-economic losses. There is no standard settlement amount — the potential value depends on the severity of injuries, strength of the liability evidence, and available coverage.
Medical Expenses
- Ambulance transportation
- Emergency treatment
- Hospitalization and surgery
- Doctor appointments
- Diagnostic testing
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Medication and medical equipment
- Prosthetics
- Home healthcare
- Future medical treatment
Lost Income & Earning Capacity
- Salary and hourly wages
- Overtime, bonuses, and commissions
- Tips and lost business income
- Used sick or vacation leave
- Inability to return to the same work
- Reduced future earning capacity
Pain and Suffering
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Inconvenience and limitations
- Anxiety, depression, and fear of crossing streets
- Nightmares and post-traumatic stress
- Sleep disruption
- Loss of confidence
Permanent Disability & Disfigurement
- Paralysis or reduced mobility
- Traumatic brain damage
- Amputation
- Chronic pain
- Surgical scars and facial trauma
- Burns and road injuries
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Exercise, travel, and hobbies
- Family activities and independence
- Social activities
- Inability to perform daily tasks
- Meaningful parts of life affected by injury
Wrongful Death
- Medical and funeral expenses
- Lost financial support and benefits
- Loss of companionship and guidance
- Value of household contributions
- Qualifying family members may pursue a claim
How Long Do You Have to File?
California generally provides two years from the injury date to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, shorter deadlines may apply when a government vehicle was involved, a city bus struck the pedestrian, or a defective public traffic signal contributed. A California government injury claim generally must be submitted within six months, subject to exceptions. Insurance negotiations do not necessarily pause the legal deadline — prompt legal review is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pedestrian Accident Questions
Free & Confidential
Speak With a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorney
A pedestrian accident can leave you facing emergency treatment, lost income, long-term pain, permanent limitations, and pressure from insurance companies.
Royal Capital Law Group represents pedestrians and families affected by crosswalk accidents, hit-and-run collisions, rideshare crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, school-zone incidents, and other serious pedestrian injuries throughout Los Angeles and California.
Contact Royal Capital Law Group today for a free and confidential consultation. You pay no attorney's fees unless we win your case.