Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Why Pedestrian Accidents Are So Common in Los Angeles

Several factors make Los Angeles particularly dangerous for pedestrians. The city was designed around the automobile, and many streets prioritize vehicle throughput over pedestrian safety. Wide, high-speed arterials like Venice Boulevard, Wilshire Boulevard, and Sepulveda Boulevard carry heavy vehicle traffic alongside pedestrians with minimal physical separation. Many crosswalks are poorly lit, signal timing does not provide adequate crossing time, and drivers making turns frequently fail to look for pedestrians.

Distracted driving—particularly cell phone use—is a leading factor. Drivers looking at screens are not looking at crosswalks. Speed is another critical element: a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 40 mph has an 85 percent chance of death, compared to a 10 percent chance at 20 mph.

Injuries Pedestrians Suffer

Pedestrian accident injuries are among the most severe in personal injury law. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries from impact with the vehicle or pavement, broken legs, hips, and pelvis, spinal cord injuries and paralysis, internal organ damage, severe lacerations and disfigurement, and fatal injuries.

Even in non-fatal cases, victims may face permanent disability, chronic pain, and the psychological trauma of the accident. Recovery timelines are typically measured in months or years, not weeks.

Legal Protections for Pedestrians

California law gives pedestrians the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Drivers have a legal duty to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians under all circumstances. When a driver strikes a pedestrian due to speeding, distraction, failure to yield, or any other form of negligence, the driver is liable for the resulting damages.

Even outside of crosswalks, drivers must exercise care. And under California’s comparative negligence system, a pedestrian can recover compensation even if they were partially at fault—for example, for jaywalking—though their recovery may be reduced accordingly.

Compensation Available

Injured pedestrians may be entitled to recover compensation for emergency medical care and hospitalization, surgical costs and long-term rehabilitation, lost income and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability and disfigurement, emotional distress and psychological treatment, and wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one.

If you or a family member was struck by a vehicle while walking in Los Angeles, the law is on your side. Beverly Wilshire Law APC can fight for the compensation you need to recover and rebuild. Call (310) 424-5566 or email info@bevwilshire.com for a free consultation—we’re here to guide you in the right direction.