Hit In A Crosswalk In Los Angeles?

If you were hit in a crosswalk in Los Angeles, you are not just dealing with “a traffic accident.” You are dealing with a violent, life-altering event where a human body loses every time against a moving vehicle. And while you focus on pain, ER visits, fractures, head injuries, and recovery, the driver’s insurance company is already building a file designed to pay you as little as possible—or blame you for the crash.

You need to act quickly, strategically, and aggressively to protect your health and protect your claim.

If you or a loved one was hit in a crosswalk anywhere in Los Angeles—Downtown, Hollywood, Koreatown, the Valley, West LA, South LA, or on any major corridor—call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544. One call can lock down evidence, stop the insurance pressure, and put you in a position of strength.

1) Crosswalk Crashes in Los Angeles: Why These Cases Are So Serious

Pedestrian crosswalk collisions are among the most catastrophic personal injury cases in Los Angeles for one simple reason: the pedestrian has no protection. When a driver fails to yield, the pedestrian takes the full impact—often resulting in:

• Traumatic brain injuries (concussion, TBI)

• Broken bones (legs, arms, ribs, pelvis)

• Spinal injuries (disc herniations, nerve damage)

• Road rash and deep lacerations

• Internal bleeding and organ injury

• Permanent scarring, disability, or chronic pain

And in LA, crosswalk crashes frequently happen in predictable “high-conflict” situations:

• Right turns on red without a full stop

• Left turns through intersections while drivers “beat the light”

• Distracted driving (phone use, navigation apps)

• Speeding through dense areas

• Poor visibility at night

• Drivers rolling through stop lines and crosswalks

If you were hit in a crosswalk, you should assume the insurance company will fight your case hard—because the damages are often high. To protect yourself, call 818-784-8544 immediately.

2) First Things First: What to Do Immediately After Being Hit in a Crosswalk

If the collision just happened—or happened recently—these steps matter more than most people realize:

Step 1: Get medical care and report every symptom

Even if you “feel okay,” adrenaline can mask serious injuries. If you have any of the following, treat it as urgent:

• Headache, nausea, confusion, dizziness

• Neck or back pain

• Numbness or tingling

• Difficulty walking

• Chest or abdominal pain

If you were hit in a crosswalk and haven’t been evaluated yet, get checked immediately. Then call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 to protect your legal rights while you focus on healing.

Step 2: Call 911 and make sure a report is created

A police report can be critical—especially if the driver later lies or tries to shift blame.

Step 3: Identify witnesses and preserve video

In Los Angeles, the difference between a strong crosswalk case and a weak one is often one thing: video evidence.

• Traffic cameras

• Metro/bus cameras

• Storefront surveillance

• Ring doorbells

• Dash cams

If your injuries prevent you from acting quickly, your attorney must do it for you. Call 818-784-8544.

Step 4: Take photos (or have someone do it)

• Crosswalk markings

• Signal lights / pedestrian “WALK” indicator

• Vehicle position and damage

• Your injuries (daily—bruising evolves)

• Skid marks, debris, road conditions

Step 5: Do not give the driver’s insurance a recorded statement

Insurance adjusters will call quickly. They will sound polite. Their job is to minimize payouts. Recorded statements are used to twist facts and manufacture “comparative fault.”

Before you speak to any insurance company, call 818-784-8544.

3) California Crosswalk Law: Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way?

California law generally requires drivers to yield to pedestrians within marked crosswalks and, in many circumstances, unmarked crosswalks at intersections. But insurance companies often twist the issue by claiming:

• You stepped out “too suddenly”

• You were outside the crosswalk

• You crossed against the signal

• You “could have avoided” the impact

Even if the driver was clearly wrong, insurers look for any argument to reduce what they pay.

The key is not arguing with the adjuster. The key is proving the facts with evidence and building the case properly from day one. For crosswalk collisions in Los Angeles, call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544.

4) Comparative Negligence in California: The Insurance Company’s Favorite Weapon

California follows pure comparative negligence. That means your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault—even if the driver is mostly to blame.

Example:

• Your case value: $500,000

• Insurer argues you were 20% at fault

• Their “math”: reduce payout by $100,000

They use comparative fault tactics constantly in pedestrian cases:

• “You were looking at your phone.”

• “You crossed too late.”

• “You were wearing dark clothes at night.”

• “You hesitated.”

• “You weren’t in the crosswalk.”

A strong attorney attacks those narratives with evidence, witness statements, timing sequences, scene diagrams, signal phasing, and video.

If the insurance company is already suggesting you were “partly at fault,” call 818-784-8544 immediately.

5) Why Crosswalk Cases Get Denied or Lowballed (and How to Stop It)

Most crosswalk injury victims assume the claim will be handled “fairly.” That’s not how it works.

Insurance companies deny and lowball for predictable reasons:

They dispute liability

Even when it’s obvious, they will “investigate” and stall.

They claim minimal impact

They imply you “must not be that hurt,” even if you were launched onto the hood, hit the pavement, or hospitalized.

They blame pre-existing conditions

They argue your neck/back problems existed before the crash.

They exploit gaps in care

If you miss follow-ups or delay treatment, they claim you weren’t seriously injured.

They push early settlement

They want you to settle before:

• MRIs reveal disc herniations

• Specialists confirm a concussion/TBI

• Surgery becomes necessary

If you were hit in a crosswalk and the insurance company is pushing you for a statement or settlement, call 818-784-8544 before you sign anything.

6) The Injuries That Commonly Happen When You’re Hit in a Crosswalk

Crosswalk injuries are often severe because pedestrians typically suffer a two-phase impact:

1. Vehicle strikes the body

2. Body hits the pavement

Common injuries include:

Head injuries and traumatic brain injury (TBI)

• Concussion

• Post-concussion syndrome

• Cognitive changes

• Memory issues

• Mood changes, irritability, anxiety

Orthopedic trauma

• Tibia/fibula fractures

• Ankle fractures

• Knee injuries (ACL, meniscus)

• Hip injuries

• Shoulder tears and fractures

• Wrist fractures from bracing during impact

Spine and nerve injuries

• Herniated discs in neck or back

• Sciatica and radiculopathy

• Chronic pain

• Weakness, numbness, tingling

Facial injuries and scarring

• Lacerations

• Dental trauma

• Permanent scarring and disfigurement

If you suffered any of these injuries, your case is serious—and it must be valued like a serious case. Call 818-784-8544.

7) What Your Los Angeles Crosswalk Injury Claim Can Include

If you were hit in a crosswalk, your claim may include:

Economic damages

• ER and hospital bills

• Ambulance costs

• Imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI)

• Surgery, specialist care

• Physical therapy and rehab

• Prescription medications

• Future medical care (including future surgeries)

• Lost wages

• Loss of earning capacity

• Out-of-pocket expenses (transportation, medical devices, home modifications)

Non-economic damages

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• PTSD symptoms and sleep issues

• Scarring and disfigurement

In severe cases, damages may include long-term disability needs, life care planning, and permanent impairment.

To find out what your case may be worth, call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544.

8) Hit-and-Run in a Crosswalk: What If the Driver Took Off?

Hit-and-run crosswalk crashes are unfortunately common in Los Angeles. If the driver fled:

• Call police immediately

• Ask businesses nearby for video

• Document everything while fresh

• Locate witnesses quickly

Even if the driver is never found, you may still have a claim through your own auto policy’s Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage (often available to pedestrians, depending on policy terms and circumstances).

Hit-and-run cases are time-sensitive and evidence-driven. Call 818-784-8544 immediately.

9) Crosswalk Collisions Involving Uber, Lyft, or Commercial Vehicles

If you were hit by a rideshare vehicle or a company vehicle, the case may involve layered insurance coverage and corporate defense tactics.

These cases can include:

• Uber/Lyft coverage issues (driver app status matters)

• Employer liability (scope of employment)

• Fleet maintenance records

• Driver safety history

• Additional defendants beyond the driver

If a rideshare or commercial vehicle hit you in a crosswalk, call 818-784-8544 now.

10) What to Expect After the Crash: A Realistic Timeline

The first week

• Injury evaluation, pain, confusion, appointments

• Insurance calls and pressure

• Evidence at risk of disappearing

The first month

• Specialists, MRIs, therapy

• Determining whether injuries will require surgery

• Documenting ongoing symptoms and limitations

Several months and beyond

• Continued treatment

• Settlement negotiations or litigation

• Expert evaluation if needed (orthopedic, neuro, vocational, economic)

If you want a team to handle the insurance company while you focus on recovery, call 818-784-8544.

11) The Most Common Mistakes Pedestrians Make After a Crosswalk Crash

Mistake #1: Delaying medical care

Delay = denial fuel for the insurer.

Mistake #2: Giving a recorded statement

They use your words against you later.

Mistake #3: Posting on social media

Anything public can be weaponized.

Mistake #4: Accepting an early offer

Early offers are designed to end your case cheap—before full injuries are known.

Mistake #5: Not preserving video evidence

Video is often the single strongest proof in crosswalk cases.

If you’ve already made any of these mistakes, do not panic—but do act quickly. Call 818-784-8544.

12) How a Strong Los Angeles Crosswalk Case Is Built

A real crosswalk case is built like a trial case from day one:

• Rapid evidence preservation (video, witness statements, scene documentation)

• Police report analysis and correction strategy (if needed)

• Medical documentation consistency

• Specialist support and objective testing (MRIs, neuro evaluation)

• Damages model (past + future costs, wage loss, impairment)

• Liability narrative that defeats comparative fault arguments

For serious crosswalk injuries in Los Angeles, call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I was in the crosswalk but the signal said “DON’T WALK”?

You may still have a claim. Comparative fault may become an issue, but it does not automatically wipe out your case in California. Evidence matters.

What if the driver says they didn’t see me?

That is not a defense. Drivers have a duty to remain vigilant—especially at intersections and crosswalks.

What if I was partially at fault?

California law still allows recovery. The goal becomes proving the driver’s negligence and minimizing any assigned fault.

How much is a crosswalk injury case worth?

It depends on injury severity, surgery needs, long-term limitations, wage loss, and insurance coverage. Hospitalization, fractures, head injuries, and permanent impairment can substantially increase value.

For a serious evaluation, call 818-784-8544.

You Were in a Crosswalk. You Should Not Be Treated Like You Did Something Wrong

If you were hit in a crosswalk in Los Angeles, you deserve accountability—and you deserve full compensation for what this crash has done to your body, your finances, and your life. The insurance company will try to minimize it. They will try to shift blame.

Do not let them.

Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 now. The sooner you act, the more evidence you preserve, the stronger your case becomes, and the higher the likelihood you recover what you truly deserve.