Pedestrian Accidents

When a car hits someone on foot, the injuries are often severe and the driver’s insurer may try to blame the person walking. A pedestrian accident lawyer can show what the driver owed you under California law and pursue compensation for your injuries. Abramson Labor Group represents pedestrians hurt by cars, trucks, and buses across California. Our case reviews are free and confidential, and we work on contingency.

Why Clients Choose Abramson Labor Group

• 4.5 stars across more than 1,900 Google reviews (as of September 2026).
• Documented results. See our case results. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
• Founding partner Zev Abramson founded the firm in 2015 and earned his J.D. at Loyola Law School.
• Help in English and Spanish, with intake also available in Armenian.
• One office for the whole state. We serve clients across California from Burbank, and most of your case can be handled by phone or video.

Who Has the Right of Way in California?

Drivers must yield to people in crosswalks. Under Vehicle Code section 21950, a driver “shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.” A driver approaching a pedestrian in a crosswalk “shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle” or take other action to protect them.

Pedestrians have duties too. Section 21950(b) says “No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety” and walk into the path of a car that is too close to stop.

What If I Was Not in a Crosswalk?

You may still have a claim. A pedestrian outside a crosswalk must yield to vehicles close enough to be a hazard, but that rule “shall not relieve the driver of a vehicle from the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian” (Vehicle Code section 21954(b)).

California also limits jaywalking stops. An officer generally may not stop a pedestrian for crossing mid-block unless “a reasonably careful person would realize there is an immediate danger of a collision” (Vehicle Code section 21955(b)).

What If I Was Partly at Fault?

You can still recover. In Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975), the California Supreme Court held that a person’s own negligence “shall not bar recovery.” Your damages are reduced by your share of the fault. A driver who was speeding, distracted, or failed to look can still carry most of the blame.

How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim?

A city bus, a government vehicle, or a dangerous street design can bring in the 6-month rule. If you were hurt, consider speaking with a pedestrian accident lawyer early.

What Should I Do After Being Hit by a Car?

Get medical care first. If you can, get the driver’s name, plate, and insurance, and the names of witnesses. Photograph the scene, the crosswalk or signals, and your injuries. The driver must report an injury crash to the CHP or local police within 24 hours (Vehicle Code section 20008), so ask for the report number.

If the driver left the scene, report it right away. Your own uninsured motorist coverage may help in a hit-and-run if you have auto insurance. Before you give a recorded statement or sign anything, consider speaking with a lawyer.

What Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?

California law measures damages as “the amount which will compensate for all the detriment proximately caused” by the wrongful conduct (Civil Code section 3333). That can include medical bills, future care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Pedestrians are often thrown to the ground and can suffer serious harm, including brain injuries. When a crash takes a life, certain family members can bring a wrongful death claim. Our article on who can file a wrongful death claim in California explains who qualifies.

If you were hurt by a broken sidewalk or other hazard rather than a vehicle, see our page on slip, trip, and fall accidents.

Other Accidents We Handle

We also represent people hurt in car accidents, truck accidents, bus accidents, and motorcycle accidents. See all of our practice areas, or read our personal injury FAQ.

Serving Injured Pedestrians Across California

We represent pedestrians hurt in Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, and throughout California from our Burbank office.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a pedestrian accident lawyer cost?

We work on contingency, so you do not pay anything unless we win. The case evaluation is free. Our fee is a share of any recovery, and if there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fees.

Can I recover if I was jaywalking?

Possibly. You must yield to nearby vehicles outside a crosswalk, but the driver still must use “due care for the safety of any pedestrian” (Vehicle Code section 21954). Any share of fault you carry reduces your award but does not bar it.

What if the driver who hit me had no insurance or drove away?

If you have auto insurance, your own uninsured motorist coverage may pay for your injuries. California auto policies include it unless it was removed in writing (Insurance Code section 11580.2).

Should I accept the insurance company’s first offer?

You do not have to. Early offers often come before the full cost of your treatment is known. Have the offer, and any release you are asked to sign, reviewed before you agree.

Request a Free Case Review

If you were hit while walking, we can review what happened and explain your options. Request your free case evaluation or call us at (213) 493-6300.

You do not pay ANYTHING unless we win!

Last updated: October 2026

This page is general information about California law, not legal advice. Every situation is different. For advice about your specific case, talk to a licensed California attorney.