Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles: Know Your Rights

Pedestrian accidents can be devastating, especially if they involve a hit and run or serious injuries. If you or a loved one are dealing with these challenges now, our lawyers know what it takes to help you get the support you need post-accident. Pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles can influence the victim’s life for months or even years to come, so they should always be taken seriously.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles?

In big cities like Los Angeles, pedestrian accidents can and do happen everywhere. Many people use various forms of transportation to do their errands, attend events, or get to work. Pedestrian accidents can occur as a result of failure to yield, impaired or drunk driving, speeding, distracted drivers, and many other causes.

It may not be immediately obvious to you, as the pedestrian accident victim, what caused your accident or injuries—which is why it is so important to hire a California personal injury lawyer who has plenty of experience navigating this process. Our attorneys know how hard it can be for so many victims to recover post-accident because of the severity of their injuries, which may be catastrophic, disabling, and long-lasting.

If you have recently been hurt in a pedestrian accident in Los Angeles, there are critical steps you need to take to protect your legal rights, including getting medical attention, documenting the scene of the crash, gathering information from witnesses, reporting the accidents, and continuing to keep notes on all of your medical care. Your well-being is your top priority, but it can be hard to navigate this process on your own.

Because pedestrians do not have the protection of any of the benefits inside of a car, such as airbags or a seat belt, you may suffer more substantial injuries in a crash. This is especially true if someone behind the wheel of the car that struck you was not paying attention or was operating the car at a high speed at the time of the crash.

How Are Civil Liability Cases Different from Criminal Charges After a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident?

If someone strikes you as a pedestrian, you need to understand your legal rights. Criminal charges and civil liability are handled differently. The severity of the charges someone faces for striking you with their vehicle will depend on the incident. For example, if the other party was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or driving recklessly, they could be facing misdemeanor or felony charges, lose their driver’s license, facing fines, or even be required to serve jail time.

However, while this may give you some peace of mind that they were held accountable for causing the accident and your resulting injuries, this does not assist you with the civil aspect of your claim. A responsible driver could also be held accountable for damages, including pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical bills. The opening or outcome of a criminal case does not automatically mean you have rights in a civil claim, so you need to speak with an attorney about your options.

It is important to work with a qualified personal injury attorney to ensure that you have someone advocating for your rights regardless of whether or not a criminal case is also unfolding at the same time. Our attorneys know how difficult it can be to try to move on from an accident when you’re dealing with pedestrian injuries and we are here to guide you through the process and answer your questions.

How Does Right-of-Way Influence Pedestrian Accidents?

The right-of-way is classified as a pedestrian or a vehicle’s right to proceed. Many vehicle codes and laws, including California Vehicle Code 21950, refer to letting the other person proceed ahead of you as yielding your right-of-way. Conflicting notions about who had the right-of-way at the time of the crash can cause vehicle and pedestrian accidents.

Generally, pedestrians almost always have the right-of-way in marked or unmarked crosswalks and on the sidewalks. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as throughout cities such as Los Angeles, where pedestrians do not always automatically possess the right-of-way. For example, pedestrians are not allowed to pose themselves as an immediate hazard in a crosswalk or elsewhere, or walk in the path of a vehicle.

Is a Pedestrian Ever at Fault for a Car Crash?

Pedestrians may be found at fault for vehicle accidents if they were entering a street while intoxicated, ignoring traffic signals, jaywalking, walking along pedestrian prohibited locations such as bridges or highways, or intentionally posing hazards to drivers.

If a pedestrian is found at fault, it could still be the case that both parties may share the blame because of California’s comparative negligence rules. You should never assume that you are at fault or admit that you were at fault when you’ve been struck by a vehicle.

The rules of the right-of-way and pedestrian laws can be complex, which makes hiring a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles important. Your lawyer can help you collect evidence and show fault following a crash. Since many pedestrians are struck suddenly, these victims often need to depend on their attorneys to develop a full injury claim and show how the accident occured. An accident reconstruction may be essential in these situations since you may not have been able to get evidence at the scene.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Linked to Pedestrian Accidents?

Pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles can have many different outcomes depending on the vehicle type, the car speed, and the age of the pedestrian accident victim.

Victims are most likely to suffer injuries such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, fractured bones, sprained or torn ligaments, contusions, abrasions, or lacerations.

Some of these injuries may not present immediate pain and this is why it is so important to get medical attention as soon as possible after you sustain an injury in a pedestrian accident.

If you have multiple injuries, this can influence your life for years to come. You need to take it seriously and work with a lawyer who cares about your future.

Because pedestrians do not have the protection of anything inside the vehicle, such as the shell of the car or a seat belt to protect them, they may suffer devastating injuries at the scene of the accident. They can be thrown into other traffic or into stationary objects, and it may be difficult for doctors to give them a full diagnosis of their treatments until later on.

Pedestrian motor vehicle crashes in Los Angeles can range in severity from minor scratches to fatalities, and multiple variables will influence the severity of the accident. Research from the CDC shows that nearly half of all pedestrian accidents that were associated with someone’s death involved alcohol consumption by either the driver or the pedestrian. Catastrophic injuries are frequently recorded in association with pedestrian accidents, such as damage to the skull, spine, and spinal cord.

 When Do Most Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles Happen?

Pedestrian accidents occur most frequently between the hours of 6 p.m. and midnight, and the fewest number of pedestrian accidents happen between 6 a.m. and noon. No matter when your accident happens, it can leave you with life-changing injuries and pain. Our attorneys are here to help when you need assistance with filing an injury claim.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer for a Pedestrian Accident in Los Angeles?

Many pedestrian accident victims struggle to go back to their life prior to the accident. Some may never return to that version of their life. A lawyer can play a key role in helping you identify core aspects of your case so you have the best chance to recover compensation. Our lawyers know what it takes to help you get a full and fair recovery and we’ll work hard to make it happen.

As an accident victim, you already have enough to worry about dealing with your injuries or trying to go back to work. Let our lawyers guide you through the process by taking the stress off of you so you can worry about your injuries and healing instead.