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What To Do If You’re Hit By A Car While Walking In Los Angeles

What To Do If You’re Hit By A Car While Walking In Los Angeles

What To Do If You’re Hit By A Car While Walking In Los Angeles

If you are hit by a car while walking in Los Angeles, call 911, get medical help immediately, report the crash, document the scene, get the driver’s information, avoid speaking to the insurance company alone, and call a Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries, and the insurance company may start protecting the driver before you even leave the hospital.

If you were hit by a car in Los Angeles, do not guess what to do next.

Do not trust the insurance company to protect you.

Do not accept quick money before you know how badly you are hurt.

Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus now at 818-784-8544 for immediate help.

What Should I Do After Being Hit By A Car In Los Angeles?

After a pedestrian accident in Los Angeles, take these steps:

  1. Call 911 immediately.
  2. Get emergency medical treatment.
  3. Ask police to make a report.
  4. Get the driver’s name, phone number, license plate, and insurance information.
  5. Take photos and videos of the crash scene.
  6. Get witness names and phone numbers.
  7. Do not admit fault.
  8. Do not give a recorded statement to insurance.
  9. Save all medical bills and records.
  10. Call a Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer.

The sooner you act, the stronger your case may be.

Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 before speaking with the insurance company.

Why Pedestrian Accidents In Los Angeles Are So Serious

Los Angeles is dangerous for pedestrians.

Cars, trucks, buses, delivery vehicles, rideshare drivers, speeding drivers, distracted drivers, and impatient drivers all share crowded streets with people walking.

A pedestrian has no seatbelt.

No airbag.

No steel frame.

No protection.

When a vehicle hits a person walking, the injuries can be devastating.

Common pedestrian accident injuries include:

  • Broken bones
  • Head injuries
  • Concussions
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Herniated discs
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Knee injuries
  • Hip injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Facial injuries
  • Scarring
  • Wrongful death

Do not let the insurance company call your injuries minor before the full medical picture is known.

Step 1: Call 911 Immediately

After being hit by a car, call 911.

You need police and emergency medical responders at the scene.

A police report can help document:

  • Where the crash happened
  • Who was involved
  • Driver information
  • Witness information
  • Statements at the scene
  • Traffic conditions
  • Possible violations
  • Injuries reported

If you are too injured to call, ask someone nearby to call for you.

Do not leave the scene without getting help.

Step 2: Get Medical Help Right Away

Your health comes first.

Even if you think you can “walk it off,” get checked by a doctor.

Some serious injuries may not feel severe right away because of shock and adrenaline.

Delayed symptoms may include:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Neck pain
  • Back pain
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Shoulder pain
  • Knee pain
  • Hip pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Sleep problems
  • Anxiety
  • Memory issues

Medical treatment protects your health and creates documentation linking your injuries to the pedestrian accident.

Insurance companies often attack injury claims when there is a delay in treatment.

Do not give them that opening.

Step 3: Get The Driver’s Information

If you are physically able, get the driver’s information.

You need:

  • Driver’s full name
  • Phone number
  • Address
  • Driver’s license number
  • License plate number
  • Insurance company
  • Policy number
  • Vehicle make and model
  • Employer information if the driver was working

If the driver leaves the scene, try to remember the vehicle color, make, model, license plate, direction of travel, and any visible damage.

A hit-and-run pedestrian accident can still have legal options.

Call 818-784-8544 immediately if the driver fled.

Step 4: Take Photos And Videos

Evidence can disappear fast.

If you can safely do so, take photos and videos of:

  • The vehicle
  • License plate
  • Your injuries
  • The crosswalk
  • Traffic lights
  • Stop signs
  • Skid marks
  • Debris
  • Road conditions
  • Weather conditions
  • Visibility
  • Nearby cameras
  • The exact location where you were hit
  • Damage to clothing, shoes, phone, or personal items

If you are too injured, ask a friend, family member, witness, or attorney to help preserve evidence quickly.

Step 5: Look For Witnesses

Witnesses can be critical.

Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw:

  • The driver speeding
  • The driver texting
  • The driver failing to yield
  • The driver running a light
  • The driver making an unsafe turn
  • The driver leaving the scene
  • The moment you were hit
  • Your condition after impact

Witnesses may leave before police arrive.

Get their information immediately if possible.

Step 6: Do Not Admit Fault

After a crash, do not say anything that can be twisted against you.

Avoid statements like:

  • “I’m sorry.”
  • “I didn’t see the car.”
  • “I should have waited.”
  • “I’m okay.”
  • “It was my fault.”
  • “I was in a hurry.”

Insurance companies may use innocent words to blame you.

You can be polite without accepting fault.

Let the evidence decide what happened.

Step 7: Do Not Talk To The Insurance Company Alone

The driver’s insurance company may call quickly.

They may sound helpful.

They may say they only need your side of the story.

Be careful.

Insurance adjusters may ask questions designed to reduce your claim:

  • “Were you looking at your phone?”
  • “Were you outside the crosswalk?”
  • “Did you see the car coming?”
  • “Could you have moved faster?”
  • “Are you feeling better now?”
  • “Did you have pain before the accident?”
  • “Do you accept any responsibility?”

Do not give a recorded statement without speaking to a lawyer first.

Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 before answering insurance questions.

Can I Sue If I Was Hit By A Car While Walking In Los Angeles?

Yes, you may be able to sue if a driver hit you while you were walking in Los Angeles and caused your injuries.

You may have a claim if the driver was:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted
  • Texting
  • Drunk or impaired
  • Failing to yield
  • Running a red light
  • Rolling through a stop sign
  • Making an unsafe turn
  • Backing up carelessly
  • Driving aggressively
  • Ignoring a crosswalk
  • Driving too fast for conditions

You may also have a claim against another party, such as:

  • The driver’s employer
  • A rideshare company
  • A delivery company
  • A vehicle owner
  • A government entity
  • A property owner
  • A vehicle manufacturer

Pedestrian accident cases require fast investigation.

Do not wait.

What If I Was Not In A Crosswalk?

You may still have a case.

Insurance companies often try to deny pedestrian accident claims by saying the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk.

But that does not automatically end the case.

The driver may still have been speeding, distracted, impaired, reckless, or failing to pay attention.

California injury cases may involve shared fault.

Even if the insurance company claims you were partly responsible, you may still be able to recover compensation, though the amount may be reduced based on fault.

Do not accept blame without legal advice.

Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544.

What If The Driver Says I Came Out Of Nowhere?

That is a common defense.

Drivers often say:

  • “I never saw them.”
  • “They came out of nowhere.”
  • “They were not in the crosswalk.”
  • “They were wearing dark clothing.”
  • “They were on their phone.”
  • “I could not stop in time.”

Do not let the driver’s version control your case.

A lawyer can investigate:

  • Speed
  • Sight lines
  • Lighting
  • Traffic signals
  • Crosswalk markings
  • Skid marks
  • Vehicle damage
  • Surveillance footage
  • Dashcam footage
  • Witness statements
  • Cell phone records

The truth is often in the evidence.

What Compensation Can I Recover After A Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident?

If you were hit by a car while walking, you may be able to recover compensation for:

  • Ambulance bills
  • Emergency room care
  • Hospital bills
  • Surgery
  • Physical therapy
  • Pain management
  • Future medical care
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning ability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Scarring
  • Disability
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
  • Wrongful death damages, when applicable

Pedestrian accident cases can be worth significant compensation when injuries are serious, permanent, or life-changing.

Do not let the insurance company decide what your case is worth.

What If The Driver Was Working?

If the driver was working when they hit you, the employer may also be responsible.

This can apply to:

  • Delivery drivers
  • Rideshare drivers
  • Truck drivers
  • Company vehicles
  • Construction vehicles
  • Service vans
  • Utility vehicles
  • Government vehicles
  • Commercial drivers

Employer and commercial insurance coverage can make a major difference in a pedestrian accident case.

A lawyer can identify every possible source of compensation.

What If I Was Hit By An Uber, Lyft, Or Delivery Driver?

If you were hit by an Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Amazon, FedEx, UPS, Instacart, or other delivery driver, your case may involve complicated insurance issues.

Different coverage may apply depending on:

  • Whether the driver was logged into an app
  • Whether the driver had accepted a ride or delivery
  • Whether a passenger or package was in the vehicle
  • Whether the driver was working
  • The driver’s personal insurance
  • The company’s commercial policy

Do not try to sort this out alone.

Call 818-784-8544 and let The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus investigate.

What If It Was A Hit-And-Run Pedestrian Accident?

If the driver fled, you may still have options.

Possible sources of recovery may include:

  • Uninsured motorist coverage
  • Household auto insurance policies
  • Surveillance video
  • Witness information
  • Police investigation
  • Other responsible parties

Hit-and-run cases require fast action.

Nearby video footage may be erased within days.

Call a lawyer immediately.

How Long Do I Have To File A Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit In California?

In many California personal injury cases, the deadline is two years from the date of injury.

But you should not wait.

Evidence disappears quickly.

Witnesses forget.

Video footage gets deleted.

Vehicles get repaired.

Insurance companies start building their defense immediately.

If a government vehicle, public bus, dangerous road condition, or city-owned property is involved, a much shorter government claim deadline may apply.

Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 right away.

Why Choose The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus?

The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus fights for injured pedestrians throughout Los Angeles and California.

The firm has been helping injury victims since 1987 and has recovered more than $500 million for clients.

When you call, the firm can help you:

  • Understand your rights
  • Investigate the crash
  • Preserve video evidence
  • Deal with the insurance company
  • Identify all responsible parties
  • Review medical records
  • Prove lost wages
  • Calculate damages
  • Fight low settlement offers
  • File a lawsuit if needed

You focus on healing.

The firm focuses on fighting for your compensation.

Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus now at 818-784-8544.

FAQs About Being Hit By A Car While Walking In Los Angeles

What should I do first if I am hit by a car while walking?

Call 911, get medical help, report the crash, document the scene, get the driver’s information, and call a pedestrian accident lawyer.

Can I sue if I was hit by a car in Los Angeles?

Yes, you may be able to sue if the driver or another responsible party caused or contributed to your injuries.

What if I was hit in a crosswalk?

If you were hit in a crosswalk, you may have a strong claim, especially if the driver failed to yield, was distracted, speeding, or making an unsafe turn.

What if I was not in a crosswalk?

You may still have a case. Being outside a crosswalk does not automatically prevent recovery. Fault must be investigated based on the facts.

Should I talk to the driver’s insurance company?

Not without legal advice. Insurance adjusters may use your statements to reduce or deny your claim.

What if the driver left the scene?

You may still have options through uninsured motorist coverage, witness evidence, surveillance video, and police investigation. Call a lawyer fast.

How much is a pedestrian accident case worth?

Case value depends on injury severity, medical bills, future care, lost wages, pain and suffering, fault, evidence, and insurance coverage.

Do I need a lawyer after being hit by a car?

Yes, if you were injured. Pedestrian accident cases can involve serious injuries, disputed fault, multiple insurance policies, and aggressive insurance company defenses.

How long do I have to sue after a pedestrian accident in California?

In many cases, you have two years from the injury date. Shorter deadlines may apply if a government entity is involved.

Who should I call after being hit by a car in Los Angeles?

Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 for immediate help after a Los Angeles pedestrian accident.

If You Were Hit By A Car While Walking In Los Angeles, Act FastWhat To Do If You’re Hit By A Car While Walking In Los Angeles

If you were hit by a car while walking in Los Angeles, get medical help, report the crash, preserve evidence, avoid insurance traps, and call a lawyer immediately.

The driver’s insurance company is already protecting itself.

You need someone protecting you.

Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus now at 818-784-8544 for immediate help after a pedestrian accident in Los Angeles.

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