Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Los Angeles is synonymous with car culture, and pedestrians are particularly vulnerable. Because the city’s infrastructure is so geared to motor vehicles, accommodating them often appears as a planning afterthought. Between 2015 and 2023, the number of pedestrian fatalities climbed by 103 percent.  

If you’ve been hurt, you may face months, if not years, of ongoing medical treatment and recuperation. Unable to work, the stress of your accident is compounded by the inability to meet your basic needs and those of your family. The good news is that an attorney can hold the negligent parties accountable.   

A Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer at Ellis Law can protect your rights and negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurer. Based on the severity of your injuries and prognosis, we know a fair settlement amount for your claim. While most pedestrian accident claims are settled, we will take your case to court if the insurance company fails to agree to a reasonable settlement.  

Key Statistics on Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities 

According to the 2024 Los Angeles Vision Zero Safety Study (LAVZSS), “Pedestrians are involved in 38 percent of fatal and severe injury collisions, while 16 percent of all trips in LA are made on foot.” This reflects an increase from 2017, when pedestrians accounted for 31 percent of these collisions. The data shows that pedestrians remain disproportionately at risk on Los Angeles streets. 

LAVZSS  also reports that nearly 75% of pedestrian deaths or severe injuries occur while crossing the street — 35% inside crosswalks and 37% outside them – illustrating that being inside a crosswalk does not guarantee safety, because drivers frequently fail to yield even where pedestrians have the legal right of way. 

The top counties for serious pedestrian accidents are: 

• Los Angeles  
• San Bernardino 
• San Diego 
• Sacramento 
• Riverside  

The Los Angeles Times notes that, since the pandemic, “Los Angeles has become the most dangerous city in the nation in which to walk.” It eclipses New York City, with far more pedestrian traffic.  

 Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents 

The most frequent causes of pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles include: 

• Distracted driving: Motorists using phones, GPS, or other devices may fail to see pedestrians crossing the street or entering an intersection. 
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and poor judgment, making pedestrian crashes more likely and often more severe. 
• Failure to yield the right of way: Many accidents occur when drivers ignore crosswalks, run stop signs, or turn through intersections without checking for pedestrians. 
• Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to stop quickly and increases the severity of injuries when a collision occurs. 
• Poor lighting or visibility: Nighttime conditions, inadequate street lighting, and dark clothing can make pedestrians harder to see, particularly on busy Los Angeles streets. 
• Unsafe road design or lack of crosswalks: Wide roads, poorly marked crosswalks, and intersections without signals can increase pedestrian risk. 
• Left-hand turns: Drivers making left turns at intersections often focus on oncoming traffic and fail to notice pedestrians crossing. 
• Weather conditions: Rain or glare from the sun can reduce visibility and contribute to pedestrian accidents. 
• Reckless driving behaviors: Aggressive maneuvers such as speeding through yellow lights, rolling stops, or weaving in and out of traffic put pedestrians at risk. 

California Pedestrian Laws 

Under California Vehicle Code § 21950, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks. At intersections controlled by pedestrian signals, however, pedestrians are required to obey those signals. For example, a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal indicates insufficient time to cross safely unless directed by a pedestrian control signal. 

California law also requires pedestrians to use sidewalks when available. If no sidewalk exists, pedestrians must walk along the left-hand edge of the roadway, facing traffic (CVC § 21956). Pedestrians may not walk in designated bike lanes when a sidewalk is present. 

Who Is Considered a Pedestrian? 

Under California law, a pedestrian is someone on foot and individuals using wheelchairs (motorized or not), skateboards, non-electric scooters, roller skates, or rollerblades. Bicyclists, e-scooter riders, e-bike users, and motorized bicycle operators are not considered pedestrians. While they may still bring personal injury claims if struck by a vehicle, their cases are governed by different rules than pedestrian-specific protections. 

Verdicts & Settlements

Real Results for Los Angeles Injury Victims

Millions recovered for those injured by negligent motorists across California.

Car Accident $2,900,000 Recovery

Unsafe Lane Change

The Plaintiff was driving when the Defendant made an unsafe lane change, hitting the rear portion of the Plaintiff’s car.

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Car Accident $2,450,000 Recovery

Rear-end Collision

Plaintiff was rear-ended by defendant, who was driving for a restaurant at the time of the accident.

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Car Accident $2,428,535 Recovery

Rear-end Collision

Defendant, driving a County of San Bernardino vehicle, rear-ended plaintiffs in heavy traffic.

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View All Case Results

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is evaluated on its individual facts and circumstances.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in California? 

California’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the accident. Certain exceptions may extend this deadline, such as if the injured person is a minor or lacks legal capacity due to a disability. Outside of these exceptions, courts usually dismiss claims filed after the deadline. 

If a government-owned vehicle is involved, the timeline is much shorter. A Notice of Claim must be filed with the appropriate public agency within six months of the accident under the California Government Claims Act. 

Because these deadlines are strict, it is best to consult a pedestrian injury attorney in Los Angeles as soon as possible. Acting quickly preserves your right to file and helps ensure that valuable evidence, such as nearby surveillance footage, is not lost. 

Liability in a Pedestrian Accident 

In most pedestrian accident cases, the driver is typically found to be at fault for the collision. After analyzing the accident, an attorney may find other potential defendants: 

• Employers: If the at-fault driver was working at the time of the crash (e.g., delivery driver, or company vehicle), their employer may be liable under respondeat superior. 
• Vehicle owners: If someone else was driving their car and caused the accident, the registered owner may be liable under the doctrine of negligent entrustment, especially if they knowingly allowed an incompetent or unfit driver to use the vehicle. 
• Public entities: If dangerous road conditions, poor lighting, or defective traffic signals contributed, the city, county, or state may bear responsibility. 
• Manufacturers: If a vehicle or traffic control device was defective (e.g., faulty brakes, malfunctioning pedestrian signal), product liability claims may apply. 

What If the Pedestrian Was Partly to Blame? 

In California, pedestrians may share responsibility for an accident under the state’s pure comparative negligence rule. This means compensation can be reduced in proportion to the pedestrian’s percentage of fault, which can include: 

• Walking while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, impairing judgment or reaction time 
• Entering traffic outside of a crosswalk (“jaywalking”) 
• Suddenly darting or running into the path of a vehicle, leaving the driver little or no time to react 
• Being distracted by a phone, headphones, or other devices while crossing the street 

Because deadlines are strict and evidence can disappear quickly, working with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney is the best way to protect your rights. They can also challenge any unfair attribution of fault. 

Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims 

Compensation, or damages, in a pedestrian accident may include: 

• Medical expenses, current and future: Covers hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, assistive devices, and long-term care that may be needed for permanent injuries. 
• Lost wages: Reimburses income lost while recovering, including sick days, vacation days, or other time away from work caused by the accident. 
• Loss of future earnings: Applies if injuries result in permanent disability or reduced ability to work, affecting future income and career opportunities. 
• Pain and suffering: Compensates for the physical pain, discomfort, and limitations caused by accident-related injuries. 
• Emotional distress: Addresses the psychological impact, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, or reduced quality of life stemming from the crash. 

The Importance of Hiring an Experienced Lawyer 

After a serious injury caused by another party’s negligence or recklessness, you need legal counsel to help you obtain the best possible settlement. Never agree to an insurance company’s offer, no matter how good it sounds, without legal advice. Insurers often may make lowball settlement offers to settle the claim quickly. If it turns out that the amount is not enough to pay your medical expenses, you cannot reopen the claim.  

An experienced pedestrian lawyer in Los Angeles investigates your case thoroughly and collects evidence to build your case, which may include: 

• Medical records 
• Police reports 
• Surveillance video 
• Eyewitness testimony 
• Cellphone records 
• Toxicology reports  

Your attorney also identifies all possible defendants. As noted above, depending upon circumstances, the driver who hit you may not be the only defendant, e.g., perhaps a defect in the car that hit you caused the collision, for which the manufacturer or dealer may be liable.   

Further, expert witnesses can make a difference to the outcome of your case. An experienced lawyer can recommend certified expert witnesses in fields ranging from orthopedics to engineering.  

Why Trust Ellis Law with Your Pedestrian Injury Case 

The trauma of being hit by a car may never leave you. The injuries resulting from a driver’s negligence may cause permanent impairment. Our experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at Ellis Law can seek justice by fighting for your right to recover compensation for your losses and damages. Our skilled team of attorneys has recovered more than $750 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients.  

Our 30-year track record is second to none for personal injury settlements and awards, including a $350,000 pedestrian accident settlement for an older man hit by a garbage truck.  

Our firm is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Our lawyers are also members of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates. 

Schedule a Free Consultation Today at Ellis Law 

 Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. Because we work on a contingency basis, you pay no legal fees unless you receive compensation. We serve clients throughout Southern California, including but not limited to: 

• Anaheim 
• Bakersfield 
• El Segundo 
• Long Beach  
• Oakland 
• Riverside 
• San Bernardino  

Ellis Law understands that you will need many kinds of support as you recover from the injury or loss that you have suffered. Our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys are committed to putting our experience and resources to work for innocent victims who find their lives in sudden upheaval after a pedestrian accident. Hablamos español. 

Find our office at
2230 E Maple Ave,
El Segundo, CA 90245