Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrians face significant dangers on Los Angeles roads, and pedestrian accident injuries can be catastrophic. The primary form of transportation in LA is a car, and streets and intersections are not designed for pedestrians. A lawyer from Steinger, Greene & Feiner can help if you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident in Los Angeles.

Driver negligence is most often the cause of pedestrian accidents. If you or a loved one was injured in a Los Angeles pedestrian accident because of the reckless actions of another person, contact the lawyers at Steinger, Greene & Feiner today. We’re ready to recover full compensation for your injuries and get the justice you deserve. 

Why Choose a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

Pedestrian accidents pose a significant public safety concern in Southern California, particularly in Los Angeles. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 893 pedestrians were killed on California roadways in 2018, a 26% increase from 2014.

Los Angeles is known for its traffic jams, and more and more people are opting to walk to their destinations instead of driving. Unfortunately, this makes for very dangerous conditions for pedestrians, despite the fact that pedestrians have numerous protections under California law. 

If you’re injured in a Los Angeles pedestrian accident, you should contact a lawyer to help with your accident claim. Your injuries may be severe, but large insurance carriers do not make the claims process easy. Your lawyer will aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve. 

Here are some other ways an attorney will help with your case:

• They can help determine fault and prove liability
• They will review evidence, such as red light cameras and security camera footage
• They will bring in industry experts, such as accident reconstructionists
• They will interview witnesses
• They have the tools, resources, and experience to determine appropriate monetary damages, ensuring you get the compensation you need and deserve
• They can serve as a mediator with insurance companies
• They can advise you on the appropriate next steps 

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles

Most pedestrian accidents are avoidable. They occur when one or multiple parties is negligent. Negligence in personal injury law is an act of carelessness that causes injury or harm to others. If a driver is negligent and hits a pedestrian, this may be grounds for a personal injury case. Determining the cause of a pedestrian accident is one of the first steps in a claim for financial compensation.

Common causes include:

• Distracted driving: Texting or otherwise using electronic devices, talking to passengers, or doing other activities takes the driver’s attention away from the road.
• Alcohol and substance abuse: Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and drugs is a major cause of traffic accidents.
• Speeding: Driving over the speed limit is another common cause of serious pedestrian accidents.
• Failure to respect pedestrians’ right-of-way: Many motor vehicle drivers fail to respect pedestrians’ right-of-way when crossing an intersection. The majority of pedestrians who are killed in traffic accidents get hit at intersections.
• Failure to signal before turning: Motor vehicle drivers failing to signal is another cause of pedestrian accidents. If drivers don’t signal their turns, pedestrians crossing the road have no warning and could walk right into the vehicle’s path.
• Visibility and time of day: Many pedestrian accidents occur at night when low visibility and an increase in the number of motorists driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol makes for dangerous conditions. Dawn and dusk, when the sun is low and can cause glare, are other times of day when there is a higher risk for pedestrian accidents.
• Reckless driving: Speeding, drunk driving, and fatigue all put pedestrians in danger. Studies have shown that there isn’t much difference between the reflexes of a drunk driver and a tired driver. Impatient and aggressive drivers also cause pedestrian accidents. Other examples of reckless driving include:
  • Running a red light or rolling through a stop sign
  • Reversing without looking
  • Speeding in a school zone
  • A bus or truck driving too close to a sidewalk
  • Unsafe passing at a crosswalk

Types of Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents

Even when vehicles are traveling at low speeds, they have the potential to inflict serious or fatal injuries. Bigger cars like SUVs and trucks are also becoming more popular, and they cause more serious injuries because they hit victims higher up near the head and they’re much heavier than sedans.

Common injuries that occur in pedestrian accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Trauma to the neck or back
• Skull fractures
• Broken bones and fractures
• Torn and sprained ligaments
• Scalp lacerations, contusions, and abrasions
• Contusions, abrasions, and lacerations of the face and hands
• Road rash
• Damage to internal organs
• Severe cuts and lacerations requiring surgery to repair
• Disfigurement
• Temporary or permanent loss of function

Working with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can help you recover full compensation to cover medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses related to these injuries.

Understanding Your Rights as a Pedestrian in Los Angeles

If you walk around the Los Angeles area, you should know your rights as a pedestrian as outlined in California laws. All drivers in California owe you a duty of care, which means they have an obligation to drive in a reasonably safe manner and pay attention to pedestrian safety.

There are specific California regulations that protect the rights of pedestrians, some of the most important of which include:

• The Right of Way When in a Crosswalk: Under Vehicle Code Section 21950(a), pedestrians generally have the right of way in crosswalks. There are a few limited exceptions, and pedestrians must still look out for their own safety, but drivers must be particularly careful when around marked crosswalks.
• The Right To Use the Sidewalks: Pedestrians have a legal right to full and unimpeded use of sidewalks. Whenever a vehicle is crossing over a sidewalk the driver must always yield to pedestrians—there are no exceptions.
• The Right Not To Be Struck By a Dangerous Driver: While pedestrians have a responsibility to act in a safe manner, they have a right to be free from dangerous drivers. If a driver is operating their vehicle in a dangerous manner, including by engaging in speeding, distracted driving, or another form of negligence and they hit a pedestrian, that driver has violated the pedestrian’s rights. Following, they can be held liable for their negligence in a personal injury claim.

The Role of a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

A pedestrian accident lawyer can handle every aspect of your case, but the most important thing they do is identify who was responsible for your accident and related injuries. This can be complicated because multiple drivers, companies, and even a city government may be liable. To find out who was liable, your lawyer will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and more.

Liability in a pedestrian accident case is the legal term for responsibility. In personal injury law, liability refers to both legal and financial responsibility for a victim’s damages. To assign liability, a plaintiff (victim) needs to prove that the defendant (at-fault party) acted recklessly or carelessly and that this reckless or careless conduct contributed to the victim’s accident and related injuries.

California is a comparative fault state, which means that defendants can try to blame victims for some or all of their accidents. If you are found to be partially at fault for your accident, your financial compensation will be reduced proportionally. It’s in your best interest to hire a lawyer who can prove the negligence of the other party and get you the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Parties that may be held liable for a pedestrian accident include:

• A driver or multiple drivers: If a driver contributed to a pedestrian accident by engaging in reckless behavior like texting, failing to yield right-of-way, or speeding, their auto insurance company will be liable for the victim’s damages.
• The city of Los Angeles: If defective sidewalks, crosswalks, or street signals contributed to a pedestrian accident, the city government can be held responsible. If it should have recognized the hazard and remedied it before the accident occurred, it will be held liable.
• A company or companies: If an on-duty driver for UPS, USPS, Uber, Lyft, or another company hits a pedestrian, the company can be liable. This is based on the concept of vicarious liability, where a company is generally responsible for the mistakes of its employees.

Steps To Take After a Pedestrian Accident

After a Los Angeles pedestrian accident, you should take the following steps to protect yourself and create the best possible outcome for a potential accident claim.

Get Professional Medical Attention

All pedestrian accidents require immediate medical attention. In an emergency situation, an injured pedestrian should take an ambulance to the hospital. In a non-emergency situation, a medical evaluation is still required because many injuries from pedestrian accidents, like soft tissue injuries, take days to fully develop. Even if you think you’re unscathed, you should seek medical attention. Additionally, you can’t bring a pedestrian accident claim in Los Angeles without having valid medical documentation of your injuries.

Carefully Document the Collision

After contacting emergency services for medical care, the next most important thing to do is secure and preserve all evidence at the accident scene. The more information you have, the better it will be for your pedestrian accident claim.

You should:

• Take photos of the accident scene, including the vehicles and the surroundings
• Take photos of your injuries
• Get the contact information of all drivers involved and license plate numbers and insurance information if possible
• Get contact information from any potential witnesses
• Obtain the police report

Consult With a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

In most cases, pedestrian accident claims are defended by powerful insurance companies who use aggressive tactics to reduce your settlement offer. After a pedestrian accident, you should not give a statement to an opposing insurance adjuster without first speaking to a pedestrian accident attorney. Your attorney will handle all communications with insurance companies and protect your rights.

How To Choose the Right Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

When looking for a pedestrian accident lawyer in Los Angeles to handle your case, you should choose one who has experience dealing with pedestrian accident cases and bringing them to trial if necessary. They need to understand how California traffic laws affect your case and how to prove that the at-fault party’s negligent behavior violated your rights as a pedestrian and caused your injuries. 

An important quality to look for is a proven track record of satisfied clients who have received the full and fair compensation they deserve. 

At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we have two decades of handling personal injury cases and specifically with pedestrian accident cases. When our clients were involved in accidents that weren’t their fault, we secured maximum compensation to cover their injuries, financial losses, and emotional distress. 

Our goal is to get justice for our clients. That’s why we don’t charge any fees upfront. We are paid for our work only when we win your case. 

Client Testimonials

Our former clients report complete satisfaction with the way we handled their cases. Hear why we’re the leading pedestrian accident attorneys in Los Angeles.

FAQs About Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles

Will My Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles Be Familiar With the California Vehicle Code?

Yes. Your lawyer will understand all the relevant California pedestrian and traffic laws that may apply to your case, including the California Vehicle Code. 

How Long Does It Take for a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles to Settle a Claim?

Every case is different. It can take anywhere from a  few months to a few years to settle a pedestrian accident case. 

Can a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles Tell Me What the Statute of Limitations Is for My Case?

Yes. For most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in court, according to the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 This is called the statute of limitations, and once it passes, a court will most likely refuse to hear your lawsuit. Although you have two years to file, you should file as soon as possible after the accident occurs to preserve evidence and build the strongest case. 

Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer?

No. Insurance companies often offer lowball settlements that are significantly under what the victim deserves, especially right after the accident. You should speak with a Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer before accepting any settlement offer.

What If I Wasn’t in a Crosswalk During the Pedestrian Accident?

More often than not, it is a driver’s fault when a car hits a pedestrian. Whether you were in the crosswalk or not during the accident, you may have the right to take legal action.

Will I Have To Go to Trial for a Pedestrian Accident?

Pedestrian accident cases are often settled out of court, but there are situations where the best option is to go to trial. This depends on the specific circumstances and facts of your case.

Get a Case Evaluation With a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident because of the negligence of another driver, don’t wait to get the compensation you deserve today. Our expert lawyers are ready to take on your case, hold the at-fault party accountable, and help you move on with your life.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay a penny until we win your case. Contact us for a free, no-obligation case consultation today.