Yes — after a pedestrian accident in California, call 911, get immediate medical care, document the scene (photos, witness info, driver/vehicle/insurance details), make a police report, and speak with a California pedestrian accident lawyer before talking to any insurance company.

If you were hit as a pedestrian, the minutes and days right after the crash are critical. The steps you take now can protect your health, your rights, and the full value of your injury claim.

This guide explains exactly what to do, what to avoid, and how our California pedestrian accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus can fight to get you paid for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

24/7 FREE Case Review • Call: 818-784-8544 • We’ll come to you anywhere in California.
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The Golden-Hour Checklist (Do This Immediately)

1. Call 911 and ask for police and paramedics.
   A police report creates a neutral record of what happened. Tell the officer if you’re in pain anywhere — even if it seems “minor.”

2. Get medical care now (same day).
   Adrenaline masks pain. ER, urgent care, or your doctor — just be seen today. Delays are used against you by insurers.

3. Photograph everything.
   Take wide shots and close-ups: intersection, crosswalk lines/signals, the vehicle (license plate, damage), skid marks/debris, traffic signs, streetlights, and your visible injuries.

4. Collect key information.

   • Driver’s name, contact, license, and insurance

   • Vehicle make/model/plate

   • Witness names and numbers

   • The responding officer’s name and report number

5. Preserve your shoes and clothing.
   Store them in a bag. Tread wear, impact marks, glass, and bloodstains can prove speed, impact points, and liability.

6. Record your symptoms and limitations.
   Start a notes app or journal: pain levels, headaches, dizziness, missed work, trouble sleeping, etc.

7. Do NOT discuss fault or give a recorded statement.
   Be polite, but do not say “I’m fine,” apologize, or guess about speed or distance. Talk to a lawyer first.

8. Call a California pedestrian accident lawyer ASAP.
   The sooner we start, the stronger your case. We can get surveillance footage before it’s erased, locate witnesses, and deal with insurance for you.

Free Consultation, 24/7: 818-784-8544.
Live chat and text available. No fee unless we win.

Why Acting Fast Matters in California Pedestrian Cases

Evidence disappears quickly: skid marks fade, vehicles get repaired, surveillance footage is automatically overwritten (sometimes in days), and witnesses move on. Meanwhile, insurance adjusters work to minimize or deny your claim. Early legal help flips the script:

• Scene & vehicle inspections before evidence changes

• Preservation letters to stop deletion of video and data

• Rapid witness outreach and recorded statements

• Medical guidance to document injuries thoroughly

• Claims handling so you don’t say anything that hurts your case

California Laws That Affect Your Claim

• Right of Way & Crosswalks: California law protects pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Drivers must use due care to avoid hitting pedestrians.

• Comparative Negligence: Even if an insurer claims you were “partly at fault” (e.g., dark clothing, no crosswalk, walking against signal), California’s pure comparative negligence still allows you to recover money — your settlement is reduced only by your percentage of fault.

• Hit-and-Run: Leaving the scene of an injury crash is a crime. If the driver fled or was uninsured, you may still recover through your own auto policy’s UM/UIM coverage, even as a pedestrian.

• Government Liability: Dangerous road design, broken signals, or obstructed sightlines can put public entities on the hook. These cases have short deadlines (a government claim usually must be filed in 6 months) before a lawsuit.

• Statute of Limitations: Most California injury claims must be filed within 2 years of the crash. Don’t wait — some exceptions shorten the deadline.

Not sure which rules apply? Call 818-784-8544 and we’ll guide you step by step for free.

What If I Don’t Feel Hurt Right Away?

It’s common with pedestrian impacts for pain to appear hours or days later. Soft-tissue injuries, concussions, and internal injuries can be hidden at first. Always get checked the same day and follow up if new symptoms appear: headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, neck/back pain, numbness/tingling, hip/knee pain, or vision changes.

Quick tip: Keep every discharge paper, referral, prescription, and receipt. Missing documents = missing dollars in settlement.

Who Pays My Medical Bills?

Multiple sources may apply — and we’ll coordinate them for you:

• At-fault driver’s liability insurance

• Your auto policy’s Medical Payments (MedPay) (no fault, quick coverage)

• Your own health insurance

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) if the driver fled or lacked sufficient coverage

• Liens/letters of protection with providers when needed so you can treat now and pay from the settlement

We make sure bills are submitted the right way, on time, and negotiated down when possible. Call 818-784-8544.

Step-by-Step: How We Build a Winning Pedestrian Claim

1. Listen & map the case — facts, injuries, goals

2. Launch preservation letters to secure video, black-box data, and phone records

3. Scene reconstruction with maps, measurements, and expert analysis

4. Medical proof — connect every diagnosis to the crash, not “pre-existing” causes

5. Wage loss & future care — calculate missed pay and future treatment needs

6. Pain & suffering narrative — the human story, not just codes and bills

7. Aggressive negotiations — present a demand with evidence insurers can’t ignore

8. File suit when needed — we litigate and go to trial if they won’t pay full value

Common Insurance Tactics — And How to Beat Them

• “You said you felt fine.” (from casual phone chats) → We handle all adjuster calls.

• Blaming the pedestrian (“dark clothing,” “no crosswalk”) → Evidence and expert analysis defeat stereotypes.

• Lowball offers before full diagnosis → We wait for complete medical clarity or pursue future damages.

• Delay until deadlines near → We track every clock and file suit in time.

Don’t go it alone. Get a free, no-pressure case review: 818-784-8544.

How Much Is a California Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?

It depends on liability, injury severity, medical treatment, time off work, and the impact on your daily life. We pursue:

• Economic damages: ER, surgery, PT, meds, mileage, medical equipment, lost wages, diminished earning capacity

• Non-economic damages: pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment, scarring, disability

• Punitive damages: rare, but possible for egregious conduct (e.g., intoxicated speeding)

We’ll evaluate settlement ranges once we understand fault and medical trajectory. Call 818-784-8544 to get a personalized estimate.

What If the Driver Was Working (Uber/Lyft/Delivery/Company Car)?

If the driver was on the job, additional insurance (or a corporate policy) may apply. Rideshare coverage changes depending on the app status (off, waiting for ride, en route). We identify every policy and stack coverage when the law allows it.

Dangerous Roads, Intersections, and Lighting

Pedestrian cases often involve poor lighting, missing crosswalks, broken signals, or confusing lane design. Our team investigates whether negligent property owners or public entities contributed. These claims require fast action and specialized notice — contact us early so we can meet the deadlines.

What to Bring to Your Free Consultation

• Photos/videos from the scene

• Police report or report number

• All medical records & bills (ER, imaging, PT)

• Health and auto insurance cards

• Work notes: missed shifts, restrictions, HR letters

• Your journal of pain/symptoms and daily limitations

No printer? No problem. Email or text us photos and screenshots. 818-784-8544

Mistakes to Avoid (These Kill Value)

• Waiting days to get medical care

• “Toughing it out” and skipping follow-ups

• Posting injuries or activities on social media

• Giving recorded statements to any insurer

• Accepting a quick check before you know the full extent of your injuries

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I hire a lawyer for a pedestrian accident?
A: Yes. A lawyer protects evidence, manages insurers, and pursues every dollar available. Stats show represented victims recover more on average than those who go it alone.

Q: How long do I have to file in California?
A: Most injury claims must be filed within 2 years. Claims involving public entities can have short 6-month claim deadlines. Call us immediately so we can preserve your rights.

Q: What if I crossed outside the crosswalk?
A: You can still recover in California. Your compensation may be reduced by any percentage of fault assigned to you — but it doesn’t bar your claim.

Q: The driver fled — can I still get paid?
A: Often yes. We pursue UM/UIM on your own auto policy and investigate video/witnesses to identify the driver.

Q: How much does a lawyer cost?
A: $0 up front. We work on a contingency fee — no fee unless we win for you.

Los Angeles & Statewide: We Come to You

We handle pedestrian injury cases across Los Angeles County and throughout California: LA, the Valley, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Long Beach, Glendale, Burbank, Inglewood, Palmdale/Lancaster, Orange County, Inland Empire, Ventura, San Diego, Bay Area, and beyond.

Call or Text 818-784-8544 • Free • 24/7
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Your Next Step (It’s Simple)

1. Get medical care today (keep every document).

2. Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 for a free case review.

3. We handle everything: evidence, insurance, medical coordination, and negotiations — so you can focus on healing.

No excuses. No delays. Just results.
Call 818-784-8544 • Live Chat 24/7