California consistently ranks among the most dangerous states for pedestrians. In 2024 alone, more than 1,100 pedestrians were killed statewide — accounting for nearly 25% of all traffic deaths.

The risk is particularly high in dense urban areas such as Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, and San Francisco, where cars, buses, delivery trucks, rideshares, and foot traffic share crowded streets.

Key facts:

• The majority of fatal pedestrian crashes in California occur at night and outside of marked crosswalks.

• Men account for nearly 70% of pedestrian fatalities statewide.

• Los Angeles County leads the state in both the total number of crashes and pedestrian deaths.

• Speed is the most common factor determining whether a pedestrian lives or dies.

When you combine congested roads, distracted driving, and oversized vehicles, you get a dangerous mix — and pedestrians pay the price.

Why Pedestrian Accidents Are So Deadly in Los Angeles

Pedestrian safety problems in Los Angeles aren’t random. They stem from a combination of urban design flaws, dangerous driving behavior, and vehicle trends that make modern roads increasingly hostile to people on foot.

1. Bigger Vehicles, Deadlier Impacts

SUVs and trucks now dominate California’s roads. These larger, taller vehicles create deadly impact zones. Instead of striking the legs — as smaller sedans often do — SUVs hit a person’s upper body and head, dramatically increasing the risk of fatal injuries.

These vehicles also have larger blind spots, making it easier for drivers to miss pedestrians when turning or backing up. For children and shorter adults, these blind spots can completely obscure them from view.

2. Speed and Road Design

The faster a vehicle is traveling, the less time the driver has to see and react to a pedestrian. A person struck at 20 mph has a high chance of surviving. At 40 mph, the risk of death skyrockets.

Los Angeles is filled with wide, multi-lane roads designed to move vehicles quickly — not to keep pedestrians safe. Long crossing distances, short signal times, and high speed limits all increase danger. Many pedestrian deaths occur on streets where drivers treat the roadway like a freeway.

3. Poor Lighting and Infrastructure

Even in a major city, many crosswalks and intersections are poorly lit. At night, drivers often can’t see pedestrians until it’s too late — especially if the crosswalk markings are faded or the streetlights are dim.

Some intersections lack curb ramps, pedestrian countdown timers, or median islands. Others have missing sidewalks or blocked visibility due to parked cars, overgrown foliage, or construction zones.

4. Distracted and Impaired Driving

Texting, scrolling, eating, or using in-car screens all take a driver’s eyes off the road. Distraction has become one of the top causes of pedestrian crashes in California.

Add in drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or fatigue, and the risk multiplies. Even a brief lapse in attention at a crosswalk can mean the difference between life and death.

5. Disparities in Neighborhood Safety

Not all communities in Los Angeles are equally protected. Lower-income neighborhoods often have fewer crosswalks, poor lighting, limited sidewalks, and faster traffic speeds — even though residents are more likely to walk or rely on public transportation.

These inequities mean that pedestrian deaths are often concentrated in neighborhoods least equipped to prevent them.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in California

At The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, we’ve handled nearly every type of pedestrian crash imaginable. The most common include:

Crosswalk Collisions

Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks — often during turns or when rushing to beat a light.

Mid-Block Crossings

When crosswalks are too far apart, pedestrians cross mid-block, where drivers don’t expect them. This leads to many severe impacts.

Right-Turn-on-Red Accidents

Drivers turning right on red often look only for cars, not pedestrians stepping into the crosswalk.

Left-Turn Collisions

Drivers misjudge gaps or fail to see people crossing during permitted left turns.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

High speed limits, aggressive lane changes, and impatient driving behaviors are major contributors.

Distracted Driving

Phone use, GPS input, and in-vehicle entertainment systems cause deadly lapses in reaction time.

Impaired Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or drugs continues to cause hundreds of pedestrian deaths each year.

Poor Road Maintenance or Design

Cities may share liability when unsafe design, broken signals, or missing signage play a role.

Hit-and-Run Crashes

California leads the nation in hit-and-run collisions. Many victims never see the vehicle that hit them.

Common Injuries After a Pedestrian Accident

Unlike occupants of vehicles, pedestrians have no protection at all. Even a “minor” collision can result in catastrophic trauma. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

• Spinal cord damage and paralysis

• Multiple fractures and crushed bones

• Internal bleeding and organ damage

• Severe lacerations or disfigurement

• Pelvic and leg fractures

• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)

Many of these injuries require long-term care, rehabilitation, and can permanently impact a person’s ability to work or live independently.

Who’s Most at Risk in California

While anyone can be struck by a car, certain groups face higher risk:

• Children – especially during school drop-off and pick-up times.

• Elderly pedestrians – slower movement and poorer vision make crossing harder.

• Transit users – people walking to and from bus or train stops.

• Joggers and walkers – especially at dusk or dawn.

• Homeless and unhoused populations – often exposed near roadways without sidewalks.

Los Angeles, with its mix of dense traffic, long blocks, and limited pedestrian zones, amplifies these risks.

What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Los Angeles

If you or someone you love has been struck by a vehicle, your actions in the hours and days afterward can make a huge difference in your recovery — and in your legal claim.

1. Call 911 Immediately

Get medical help and ensure the police respond. Always create a formal accident report.

2. Get Medical Attention — Even If You Feel “Okay”

Internal injuries and concussions can take hours or days to show symptoms. Never assume you’re fine.

3. Gather Evidence

If possible, take photos of:

• The vehicle that hit you

• The crosswalk, street, and lighting

• Skid marks or debris

• Your visible injuries

Also, collect witness names, contact info, and any available surveillance footage.

4. Avoid Talking to Insurance Adjusters

Insurance companies often contact victims quickly — not to help you, but to minimize what they pay. Politely decline recorded statements and refer all communication to your lawyer.

5. Contact an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney

A skilled Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer will investigate the crash, preserve evidence, deal with insurance, and fight for full compensation.

How a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Builds Your Case

At The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, we know how to win complex pedestrian injury claims. Here’s what we do from day one:

1. Thorough Investigation

We obtain police reports, surveillance video, black-box data, 911 records, and witness statements. If needed, we hire accident reconstruction experts to prove fault and vehicle speed.

2. Establishing Negligence

California law requires proving that the driver (or another party) acted negligently — such as by speeding, failing to yield, or driving distracted. We build clear, evidence-based arguments to show how the accident could have been prevented.

3. Identifying All Liable Parties

Sometimes more than one person or entity shares fault:

• The driver

• The driver’s employer (for company vehicles)

• A rideshare company (Uber, Lyft)

• The city or county (for unsafe road design or poor maintenance)

We pursue every responsible party to maximize recovery.

4. Calculating Damages

We seek full compensation for:

• Medical bills (past, ongoing, and future care)

• Lost wages and loss of future earnings

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional trauma

• Permanent disability or disfigurement

• Wrongful death losses for family members

5. Handling Insurance Negotiations

Insurance companies often undervalue pedestrian cases. We fight back using detailed evidence, expert reports, and, when necessary, aggressive litigation.

6. Taking Your Case to Trial

If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we’re ready to take your case to court and present your story before a jury.

California Laws That Protect Pedestrians

Knowing your rights is essential. California law strongly favors pedestrian safety, but insurance companies rely on victims not understanding those protections.

Pedestrian Right-of-Way

Under California Vehicle Code §21950, drivers must yield to pedestrians in all marked and unmarked crosswalks. A driver who fails to yield can be held liable for resulting injuries.

Comparative Negligence

Even if you were partially at fault — for example, crossing mid-block — you can still recover compensation. California’s “pure comparative fault” system allows recovery reduced by your percentage of fault.

Statute of Limitations

You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Claims involving public entities (e.g., city or county roads) require a government claim within six months.

Hit-and-Run Claims

If the driver flees, you may still recover compensation through uninsured motorist (UM) coverage or other sources your attorney identifies.

Holding Government Entities Accountable

Some pedestrian crashes happen not because of reckless drivers — but because the road itself was unsafe. Cities and counties can be held liable for dangerous conditions such as:

• Faded or missing crosswalk markings

• Broken traffic signals or missing signs

• Poor street lighting

• Inadequate crossing times

• Obstructed views from overgrown trees or parked cars

Filing a government claim in California is complex and time-sensitive. The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus has decades of experience navigating these cases, from local municipalities to Caltrans.

The True Cost of a Pedestrian Injury

Pedestrian accidents often cause lifelong consequences. Beyond the obvious medical bills, victims face long-term losses:

• Months or years of physical therapy

• Permanent disability or loss of independence

• Emotional trauma, anxiety, or depression

• Loss of career or earning capacity

• Financial strain on families

That’s why settling quickly — before the full scope of damages is known — is one of the biggest mistakes victims make. Insurance companies push fast settlements to save money. An experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney ensures every dollar you’re owed is accounted for.

How The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus Helps You Rebuild

When you hire our firm, you get a team that fights relentlessly for injured pedestrians across Los Angeles and California.

• Over 38 years of experience protecting accident victims

• Hundreds of millions recovered for injured clients

• Aggressive investigation and litigation strategies

• Zero upfront fees – you pay nothing unless we win

• Local insight – we know the most dangerous intersections and the tactics insurance companies use in Los Angeles cases

We’ve built a reputation as one of California’s most trusted and results-driven injury law firms because we treat every case like it’s personal — because for our clients, it is.

Preventing Pedestrian Accidents: What Needs to Change in California

Legal victories are essential — but prevention saves lives. California needs bold action to make its streets safer:

1. Lower speed limits in urban corridors
   Reducing speed by even 5–10 mph can drastically reduce fatality rates.

2. Install better lighting and signage
   Visibility at night is one of the easiest fixes with the biggest life-saving potential.

3. Improve crosswalk design
   Raised crosswalks, flashing beacons, refuge islands, and longer walk signals all make pedestrians more visible.

4. Target high-injury corridors
   Focus enforcement and redesign on streets with the most pedestrian crashes.

5. Educate drivers and enforce yielding laws
   Awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement can shift driver habits.

6. Enhance data transparency
   Publicly tracking pedestrian crashes helps identify hotspots and hold agencies accountable.

Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility — but until it improves, victims will continue to need aggressive legal representation to obtain justice.

When Tragedy Strikes, You Deserve Justice

If you or a loved one was hit by a car while walking anywhere in Los Angeles or throughout California, The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus is ready to fight for you.

Our team has helped countless victims recover full compensation for their injuries — and we don’t stop until we get results.

• Free consultations

• No fees unless we win

• Experienced trial attorneys who know California law inside and out

Call today for your free consultation.

📞 818-784-8544 | 💻 Visit www.GeraldMarcusLaw.com

Because your recovery matters — and justice can’t wait.