Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Dense urban districts like Downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown, and Westlake routinely bring pedestrians into close proximity with moving traffic. A moment of distraction is all that is needed to cause a catastrophic injury that leaves a bystander contending with life-altering injuries. If you were hurt in a pedestrian collision in LA, you can rely on the legal services of a Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer to see that you are fully compensated for your injury.

A Los Angeles Injury Firm Dedicated to Serving Victims of Pedestrian Accidents

When pedestrians are struck by careless drivers, the aftermath can cause overwhelming hardships for the injured party. Duque & Price provides the steady guidance victims need to move forward. Over the past 9 years, our firm has successfully resolved more than 850 injury claims, achieving favorable outcomes for clients across California. 

We recognize how devastating a pedestrian accident can be and remain committed to holding negligent drivers responsible for their actions. Choosing our firm means working with a team that genuinely cares about your recovery. We take time to understand the full impact of your injuries before developing a strategy focused on achieving full compensation for the harm you endured. 

Understanding Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles

Pedestrian accidents are an urgent public safety issue across Los Angeles. According to the California Department of Public Health’s “Special Emphasis Report: Pedestrian Injuries,” there were 4,312 hospitalizations and 14,740 emergency-department visits statewide in 2021 due to non-fatal pedestrian injuries. 

Roadway design and location remain major risk factors. Pedestrians are involved in 38% of fatal and severe injury collisions in Los Angeles, even though walking makes up only 16% of travel within the city.

Neighborhoods such as Downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown, and Hollywood see some of the highest pedestrian injury rates due to dense traffic, crowded intersections, and limited crossing times. Many victims are treated at California Hospital Medical Center, located at 1401 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90015, which is a major trauma facility serving central LA. 

Common Scenarios

Common scenarios that lead to these incidents include drivers turning through crosswalks without yielding, speeding through multilane corridors, or distracted motorists failing to yield to pedestrians at night. These collisions often leave victims facing long recoveries, financial strain, and emotional trauma. 

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Distracted driving is a major contributor to pedestrian collisions. When a driver fails to observe the road and watch for bystanders, pedestrians can be struck and injured. Smartphones are a common cause of distracted driving, along with navigation systems. Following a collision, the injured party can gather evidence to show that negligent driving caused the accident. 

Violations of traffic laws are another leading cause of pedestrian collisions. Drivers are required to come to complete stops at stop signs and to slow down for yellow lights. When designated crosswalks are ignored, pedestrians can pay the price. Speeding, driving under the influence, and unsafe turns at busy intersections also contribute significantly to Los Angeles’ high rate of pedestrian injuries and hospitalizations each year.

Establishing Fault Following a Collision

Before you can pursue compensation, you will need to gather evidence to support your injury claim. California’s comparative negligence rule allows multiple parties to share liability, which is why decisively proving fault is critical to maximizing the compensation that you are owed. 

Common forms of evidence used to back pedestrian injury claims include:

• Police reports documenting how the collision occurred and identifying the involved parties
• Traffic or surveillance camera footage showing the impact and driver behavior
• Eyewitness statements that confirm how the driver acted before the crash
• Medical records linking the injuries directly to the pedestrian accident
• Accident reconstruction reports to determine fault
• Photos of the scene and injuries taken immediately after the collision
• Cell phone records to establish whether distracted driving played a role
• Vehicle damage and skid mark evidence supporting the point of impact and speed

How Comparative Negligence Could Affect Your Claim

California follows a pure comparative negligence system. Under this legal framework, each party involved in an accident is assigned a percentage of fault that determines how much compensation you are eligible to receive. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault for the collision, your total recovery would be $80,000.

In pedestrian accidents, comparative negligence can apply if the injured person crossed outside a marked crosswalk, ignored traffic signals, or was distracted at the time of the crash. Likewise, a driver who was speeding, texting, or failed to yield may share a greater portion of fault. 

Insurance carriers and defendants in civil claim cases may try to falsely accuse you of causing a collision, which is why legal representation is critical for protecting your claim to compensation following a pedestrian collision in California. 

Why You Should Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you were injured by a driver in Los Angeles, you should hire a pedestrian accident lawyer to represent you throughout your claim. Pedestrian accident laws are complex and require evidence and sound legal arguments. A Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney can handle the complexities of your claim with a focus on maximizing the compensation that you are owed. 

Legal representation can play a key role in ensuring that you are not falsely accused of causing the collision. An attorney can carefully account for the economic and non-economic damages that you are owed so your pedestrian accident case compensates you for the harm you endured. Lawyers are skilled negotiators, seasoned litigators, and unwavering advocates who care about your case and seeing that you receive the justice and compensation that you are owed. 

FAQs

Q: What Is the Average Payout for a Pedestrian Hit by a Car in California?

A: The average payout for a pedestrian collision varies considerably, but common factors that can influence your claim include the severity of the injury, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the injured party. Medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and the long-term impact of the injury on your quality of life can also affect the compensation you receive. 

In cases involving permanent disability or significant pain and suffering, settlements may be much higher.

Q: How Can I Maximize the Compensation That I Am Owed?

A: You can maximize the compensation that you are owed by working with an injury lawyer who is familiar with the state’s traffic and personal injury laws. The strength of your evidence can play a key role in determining what you ultimately receive through a settlement or court verdict. Keep detailed records of your medical treatment, missed work, and accident-related expenses, as this documentation strengthens your claim. 

Avoid discussing faults or accepting offers from insurance companies before speaking with your attorney.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Pedestrian Accident Case?

A: The length of time that it takes to settle a pedestrian accident case depends on the complexity of your case and the willingness of the at-fault party to accept liability following a collision. Straightforward claims with clear evidence may resolve quickly, while cases involving severe injuries or disputed fault can take longer. 

Working with an experienced attorney can help streamline the process and ensure that every step is handled efficiently.

Q: Does Insurance Pay if You Hit a Pedestrian?

A: Yes, insurance can cover the cost of your medical expenses and other expenses that you incurred following a pedestrian collision in California. If you were the pedestrian, the driver’s liability insurance typically pays for your medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you were the driver, your liability coverage may pay for the pedestrian’s injuries up to your policy limits. In some cases, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can also apply.

Q: Who Is Liable in a Pedestrian Accident in California?

A: The party whose negligent driving caused your injury is financially liable for a pedestrian accident in California. The key to securing compensation for an injury is gathering strong evidence to back up your claim. 

Liability often falls on drivers who fail to yield, speed through crosswalks, or drive while distracted or impaired. However, California’s pure comparative negligence system means that fault can be shared if a pedestrian crosses outside a designated crosswalk or against a signal. 

Contact Duque & Price Today to Discuss Your Pedestrian Accident Case

Being struck by a vehicle can leave you facing serious injuries, but it doesn’t have to lead to long-term financial setbacks. At Duque & Price, we help injured pedestrians pursue the compensation they need to recover and rebuild their lives. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex accident claims and understand how to maximize the compensation that you are owed so you have the resources you need to recover. 

What distinguishes our firm is our unwavering commitment to achieving meaningful results for our clients. We take on cases because we believe we can make a lasting impact, both in the outcome of the claim and in the financial recovery our clients ultimately receive. You can trust our trial-ready lawyers to manage the complexities of your case while you focus on healing. Contact Duque & Price today to schedule your consultation and learn how we can help.

Serving Los Angels, CA and Nearby Areas

Los Angeles, CA, stands as Southern California’s cultural and economic hub, renowned for its entertainment industry, diverse neighborhoods, and iconic sites like the Hollywood Sign. Encircled by vibrant communities such as Santa Monica, Pasadena, Long Beach, Glendale, and Beverly Hills, LA offers endless opportunities. Our personal injury law firm proudly serves Los Angeles and nearby cities, ensuring comprehensive legal representation for accident victims.

Duque & Price – Los Angeles Office, CA Office

3415 South Sepulveda Blvd,
Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Call: (323) 400-4411