What Should I Do After Being Hit By A Car As A Pedestrian In California?

We specialize in pedestrian accident injury cases throughout Los Angeles and the entire State of California—and if you were hit by a car as a pedestrian, The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus is ready to protect your claim and fight for maximum compensation. Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you.

Being struck by a vehicle is one of the most frightening events a person can experience. You’re exposed, unprotected, and often left dealing with severe injuries, shock, and confusion—while the driver, witnesses, and evidence can disappear in minutes. Then the insurance calls start. Adjusters may sound polite, but their mission is simple: reduce the payout.

This guide gives you a clear, step-by-step plan for what to do after a pedestrian collision in California—especially in Los Angeles—so you can protect your health, preserve critical evidence, and put yourself in the strongest position to recover the maximum compensation available under the law.

Call RIGHT NOW and speak with a lawyer for FREE at 818-784-8544.
Our attorneys are standing by. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you.

What should you do after being hit by a car as a pedestrian in California?

After being hit by a car as a pedestrian in California, you should:

1. call 911 and get police and medical help,

2. seek immediate medical care even if symptoms feel minor,

3. photograph the scene, vehicle, plate, and your injuries,

4. collect witness contact information and identify nearby cameras,

5. avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters, and

6. contact a pedestrian accident lawyer quickly to preserve evidence and pursue maximum compensation.

Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation with The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus. Don’t wait—waiting hurts your case.

Step 1: Treat this as a medical emergency—because it is

Pedestrian collisions frequently cause serious injuries that are not obvious at the scene. Adrenaline masks symptoms. Shock delays pain. Head injuries can present hours later. Internal injuries can worsen without warning.

Go to the ER or urgent care immediately if you have:

• head impact, confusion, dizziness, nausea, vision changes

• neck/back pain, numbness, tingling, weakness

• difficulty walking or bearing weight

• severe bruising, abdominal pain, shortness of breath

• bleeding, swelling, or visible deformity

Even if you feel “okay,” get evaluated. Medical records also create the timeline that insurers rely on to value the claim.

Call 818-784-8544 if you were hit as a pedestrian. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case.

Step 2: Call 911 and insist on documentation

A police report (or CHP report) is often the first neutral documentation of what happened. It can include:

• driver identity and insurance info

• witness names

• the intersection location and traffic controls

• statements from parties and witnesses

• whether impairment or distraction is suspected

• citations (when issued)

If the driver tries to talk you out of calling police, that is a red flag. You need documentation.

Don’t wait. Call 818-784-8544. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you.

Step 3: Get the right evidence at the scene (if you safely can)

If you are physically able—or if someone can help you—collect evidence immediately. This is because the best evidence is time-sensitive.

Photographs to take (wide and close)

• the vehicle that hit you

• the license plate

• the driver’s face (if safe and appropriate)

• the point of impact

• your injuries (bruising, cuts, torn clothing)

• the crosswalk or intersection markings

• traffic lights and pedestrian signals

• skid marks, debris, and road conditions

• nearby businesses (potential camera sources)

Information to collect

• driver’s name, phone, insurance, and plate

• make/model/color of vehicle

• witness names and phone numbers

• exact location and direction of travel

• time of day and weather/lighting

Look for cameras immediately

In California pedestrian cases, video can be decisive. Footage may come from:

• businesses at the intersection

• parking lots/garages

• residential doorbell cameras

• public transit areas

• dashcams from other vehicles

• nearby offices, banks, restaurants

Many systems overwrite footage quickly—sometimes within days.

Call 818-784-8544 and we can discuss evidence preservation immediately. Don’t wait—waiting hurts your case.

Step 4: Do not give recorded statements to the driver’s insurer

After a pedestrian crash, insurance adjusters often contact victims quickly with a “friendly” tone. They may say they just need “your side” or “a quick statement to open the claim.”

In reality, recorded statements are frequently used to:

• lock you into language that reduces liability

• create comparative fault arguments

• downplay injuries (“You said you were okay.”)

• suggest you were distracted or crossed improperly

• imply you stepped out suddenly

Even innocent phrasing can become a weapon.

Do not give a recorded statement before speaking with counsel.
Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation. Don’t wait.

Step 5: Understand pedestrian fault issues in California (and how insurers twist them)

Drivers often claim pedestrians were at fault, even when the driver caused the crash. Common defenses include:

• “They weren’t in the crosswalk.”

• “They crossed against the signal.”

• “They came out of nowhere.”

• “They were on their phone.”

• “They were wearing dark clothing.”

• “I didn’t see them.”

What matters is what the evidence shows: signal timing, vehicle speed, point of impact, witness accounts, and footage. Even if the defense alleges partial fault, that does not necessarily eliminate compensation—it can become a percentage battle.

The earlier you preserve evidence, the harder it becomes for insurers to rewrite the story.

Call 818-784-8544 now. Don’t wait.

Step 6: Keep your medical narrative clean and consistent

Pedestrian injuries often evolve. You may feel one pain immediately and another pain days later. The key is to:

• get evaluated promptly

• report all symptoms to providers

• follow up consistently

• keep records organized

Common pedestrian injuries

• concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

• facial injuries, dental trauma, scarring

• spinal injuries (neck/back)

• herniated discs and nerve compression

• hip, knee, and ankle trauma

• wrist and shoulder injuries from bracing

• fractures and internal injuries

• PTSD, anxiety, sleep disturbance

Treatment consistency matters because insurers attack gaps

If you stop treatment for weeks, the insurer will say:

• you weren’t really hurt, or

• you recovered quickly, or

• something else caused your symptoms.

If insurance is already pressuring you, that’s a sign your case may be significant.

Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation. Don’t wait—waiting hurts your case.

Step 7: Preserve and organize everything related to the crash

Strong claims are documented claims. Keep a file with:

• medical records and bills

• pharmacy receipts

• discharge papers and referrals

• mileage and transportation costs to appointments

• lost wages documentation (pay stubs, schedules, employer letters)

• photos of injuries as they develop (bruising often worsens days later)

• all insurance correspondence

• the police report number and responding agency

This is not busywork. This is how your claim becomes undeniable.

Call 818-784-8544 and we can tell you exactly what documentation will matter most in your case.

Step 8: If it was a hit-and-run, you still may have options

Hit-and-run pedestrian crashes are common—especially in major metro areas like Los Angeles. If the driver fled:

What you should do immediately

• report it to police ASAP

• identify cameras and witnesses immediately

• look for nearby businesses that may have footage

• write down everything you remember (direction, vehicle type, color, partial plate)

You may still have insurance options

Depending on your situation, you may be able to pursue compensation through:

• uninsured motorist coverage (UM) under an auto policy (even as a pedestrian)

• household policies (a spouse/relative policy you qualify under)

• other available layers depending on facts

These claims can involve strict notice requirements. Delay can destroy coverage.

Call 818-784-8544 now. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case.

Step 9: What compensation can a pedestrian recover in California?

A pedestrian injury claim may include:

Economic damages

• ambulance, ER, hospital, surgery

• imaging and specialist care

• physical therapy, rehab, medications

• future medical care and long-term treatment

• assistive devices and home modifications (in serious cases)

• lost wages

• loss of earning capacity

• out-of-pocket costs (transportation, caregiving help)

Non-economic damages

• pain and suffering

• emotional distress

• PTSD/anxiety

• loss of enjoyment of life

• disability and permanent impairment

• disfigurement/scarring

• loss of consortium

Punitive damages (sometimes)

If the driver was intoxicated or engaged in egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available in certain cases.

Pedestrian collisions often produce higher-value claims than typical car accidents because injuries are frequently severe.

Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation and case evaluation. Don’t wait.

Step 10: Pedestrian crash timelines—what to expect

Phase 1: The first 1–2 weeks (critical)

• medical stabilization and diagnosis

• police report acquisition

• evidence preservation (cameras, witnesses)

• insurance notice and protection

Phase 2: Weeks 2–12 (treatment + investigation)

• specialist referrals, imaging

• documenting restrictions and symptoms

• collecting footage, statements, and liability proof

Phase 3: Settlement positioning (months, depending on injury severity)

• demand package based on medical stabilization and prognosis

• negotiation with insurers

• potential mediation

Phase 4: Litigation if needed

If the insurer refuses to pay fairly, a lawsuit may be required to force accountability.

The biggest mistake is settling before the medical picture is clear. That often benefits insurers and harms victims.

Call 818-784-8544. Don’t wait—waiting hurts your case.

California-specific scenarios: when more than the driver may be responsible

Pedestrian cases sometimes involve additional responsible parties:

Employer liability

If the driver was working (delivery, service call, rideshare), the employer or company coverage may apply.

Rideshare drivers (Uber/Lyft)

Coverage depends on app status. Layered insurance analysis matters.

Dangerous roadway conditions (public entity claims)

If a dangerous intersection design, broken signals, missing crosswalk markings, poor lighting, or road defects contributed, a government entity may share responsibility. These cases can involve special procedures and shorter deadlines.

If you suspect roadway design or maintenance played a role, do not delay. Evidence and deadlines can be unforgiving.

Call 818-784-8544 now. Don’t wait.

Mistakes that destroy pedestrian cases (avoid these)

1. Waiting to get medical care

2. Not reporting the collision

3. Failing to identify cameras quickly

4. Giving recorded statements to insurers

5. Posting on social media about your recovery or activities

6. Accepting early settlement offers

7. Gaps in treatment that insurers use to argue you recovered

8. Throwing away shoes/clothing that may show scuffs, impact marks, or blood

You only get one shot to build the record. Do it correctly from day one.

Call 818-784-8544. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you.

Why The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus

We specialize in pedestrian accident injury cases throughout Los Angeles and the entire State of California. We understand how insurers defend these claims and what evidence actually moves case value.

Our approach is built around:

• rapid evidence preservation

• liability development (video, witnesses, signals, impact analysis)

• clean medical documentation strategy

• damages proof (wages, future care, life impact)

• negotiation leverage and litigation readiness when needed

Insurance companies pay more when they know you are prepared to win.

Call 818-784-8544 now for a FREE consultation.
Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you.

FAQ: Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian in California

Do I have a case if I wasn’t in a crosswalk?

Possibly. Drivers still have duties to drive safely, avoid collisions, and use caution—especially in areas where pedestrians are expected. Liability depends on the facts and evidence.

What if the driver says I “came out of nowhere”?

That’s a common defense. Video, witness statements, signal timing, and impact evidence often show what really happened.

What if I was partially at fault?

You may still recover compensation, depending on the facts. Fault allocation can reduce recovery, but it does not always eliminate a claim.

How much is my pedestrian accident case worth?

It depends on injury severity, medical treatment and future needs, wage loss, pain and suffering, and liability proof. A real evaluation requires a detailed review.

Should I talk to the insurance company?

Be cautious. Recorded statements and broad medical releases can reduce your claim value. It is often best to consult counsel first.

Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation.

Call Now — Free Consultation (818-784-8544)

If you were hit by a car as a pedestrian anywhere in California—especially in Los Angeles—do not let the insurance company control your case or push you into a low settlement.

Call RIGHT NOW and speak with a lawyer at The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus for FREE at 818-784-8544. Our attorneys are standing by. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you.