Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Los Angeles

If you need a pedestrian accident lawyer in Los Angeles, Mesriani Law Group is here to help. Los Angeles is one of the most dangerous cities in the country for pedestrians. When a driver strikes a pedestrian — at a crosswalk, an intersection, a parking lot, or anywhere else — the injuries are almost always severe. Pedestrians have no structural protection against the force of a vehicle.

At Mesriani Law Group, our Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorneys have over 30 years of experience recovering maximum compensation for pedestrian injury victims and their families throughout California. We handle every type of pedestrian accident claim and represent you on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.

California Pedestrian Laws and the Right of Way

A common misconception is that pedestrians always have the right of way in California. For a full breakdown, see our guide on pedestrian right of way rules in California. The law is more nuanced than that, and understanding it is critical to evaluating your claim:

• At marked crosswalks (CVC § 21950): Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. A pedestrian who is lawfully crossing in a marked crosswalk has the right of way over all vehicles.
• At unmarked crosswalks: Intersections where there is no painted crosswalk still have an “unmarked crosswalk” at the intersection corners. Drivers must yield to pedestrians there as well.
• Pedestrian duty of care: While drivers have a broad duty to yield to pedestrians, pedestrians also have an obligation not to suddenly dart into traffic in a way that makes it impossible for drivers to stop. However, even a pedestrian who was jaywalking may still recover compensation under California’s comparative fault system.
• Right turn on red: California permits right turns on red, but drivers must come to a complete stop and yield to all pedestrians and cross-traffic before turning. Failure to yield to a pedestrian while making a right on red is a common cause of pedestrian accidents at LA intersections.
• Jaywalking: California’s Freedom to Walk Act (AB 2147), effective January 2023, decriminalized jaywalking in most circumstances. See our full guide on pedestrian laws in California. While jaywalking may affect comparative fault calculations, it does not eliminate a pedestrian’s right to compensation when a driver was negligent.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles

The overwhelming majority of serious pedestrian accidents are caused by driver negligence:

• Distracted driving: The leading cause of pedestrian accidents in LA. Drivers texting, using apps, or otherwise not watching the road fail to see pedestrians in time to stop.
• Failure to yield at crosswalks: Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks, particularly at busy intersections.
• Right turns on red: Drivers making right turns without fully stopping or checking for pedestrians crossing with the signal.
• Left turn accidents: Drivers making left turns often focus on oncoming vehicle traffic and fail to check for pedestrians crossing the street they are turning into.
• Speeding: Higher vehicle speeds dramatically increase both the likelihood of a collision and the severity of injuries. A pedestrian struck at 40 mph has a much lower survival rate than one struck at 20 mph.
• DUI driving: Impaired drivers have reduced reaction time and judgment, making them especially dangerous to pedestrians.
• Backing vehicles: Drivers backing out of driveways, parking spaces, and loading docks without checking for pedestrians behind them.
• Low visibility conditions: Nighttime, rain, fog, and poor street lighting reduce a driver’s ability to see pedestrians in time to stop.
• Dangerous road conditions: Poorly designed crosswalks, inadequate pedestrian signals, missing curb cuts, and poorly maintained sidewalks maintained by government agencies may create additional liability.

Common Injuries in Los Angeles Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians struck by vehicles have no protection against the force of impact. Injuries are frequently catastrophic:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from impact with the vehicle or the ground
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken bones — particularly leg, hip, and arm fractures
• Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
• Road rash and severe lacerations
• Crush injuries when a pedestrian is pinned under or against a vehicle
• Facial injuries and dental damage
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological trauma
• Wrongful death — pedestrian accidents are among the most fatal types of traffic accidents

Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Was Jaywalking?

Yes. California follows a pure comparative fault rule, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. If you were jaywalking when a driver struck you, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault — but you are not barred from recovery entirely.

In most pedestrian accident cases, the driver bears the primary or full share of fault even when a pedestrian was crossing outside a marked crosswalk. Drivers have a fundamental duty to watch for and avoid pedestrians at all times. Insurance companies will attempt to maximize a pedestrian’s fault percentage to reduce payouts — our pedestrian accident lawyers in Los Angeles know how to fight back.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident?

Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may share responsibility:

• The driver: Personally liable and through their auto insurance policy
• The driver’s employer: If the driver was operating a vehicle on behalf of their employer at the time of the accident, the employer may be vicariously liable
• A government agency: If dangerous road design, inadequate pedestrian signals, missing crosswalk markings, or poorly maintained sidewalks contributed to the accident. Claims against government entities require a tort claim filed within six months.
• A vehicle or parts manufacturer: If defective brakes, accelerator systems, or headlights contributed to the collision
• A property owner: If the accident occurred in a parking lot or on private property maintained unsafely

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?

Pedestrian accident cases are among the highest-value personal injury claims because of the severity of injuries involved. See our overview of California pedestrian accident statistics:

• Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, trauma surgery, hospitalization, and all related medical costs
• Future medical care: Ongoing treatment, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and long-term care for permanent injuries
• Lost income: Wages lost during recovery and, for permanent injuries, reduced future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life. California has no cap on non-economic damages in pedestrian accident cases.
• Wrongful death damages: Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship if a loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident
• Punitive damages: In DUI cases or other egregious conduct, courts may award punitive damages

Pedestrian Accident Filing Deadlines in California

• Personal injury claims: Two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1
• Claims against government entities: If a government agency’s road design, signage, or maintenance contributed to the accident, a government tort claim must be filed within six months
• Wrongful death claims: Two years from the date of death
• Minors: The statute of limitations is generally tolled until the minor turns 18, with exceptions

Important: Traffic camera footage, surveillance video, and physical evidence disappear quickly. Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer in Los Angeles as soon as possible to preserve critical evidence.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Los Angeles

1. Call 911 — report the accident, request medical assistance, and request police. A police report is critical evidence.
2. Seek medical care immediately — even if injuries appear minor. Internal injuries and head trauma may not present symptoms right away.
3. Stay at the scene — do not leave until police arrive and have recorded your account.
4. Document everything — photograph your injuries, the vehicle, the crash location, crosswalk markings, traffic signals, and road conditions.
5. Get the driver’s information — name, license plate, driver’s license, and insurance information.
6. Get witness information — names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the accident.
7. Note nearby cameras — identify any traffic cameras, business security cameras, or dashcams that may have captured the accident.
8. Do not give a recorded statement — to the driver’s insurer without first speaking to a lawyer.
9. Contact Mesriani Law Group — our pedestrian accident lawyers in Los Angeles will begin preserving evidence and building your case from day one.

Why Choose Mesriani Law Group as Your Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles?

Pedestrian accident cases require attorneys who understand both the legal nuances of comparative fault in crosswalk and jaywalking situations and the medical complexity of serious pedestrian injuries. At Mesriani Law Group we bring:

• Over 30 years representing pedestrian accident victims in Los Angeles and throughout California
• Hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for clients
• Experience handling government liability claims for dangerous road design and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure
• Proven strategies for fighting insurer attempts to inflate pedestrian fault percentages
• No Win, No Fee — you pay nothing unless we win your case
• Available 24/7 in English, Spanish, and Farsi