Pasadena Pedestrian accident attorney in Los Angeles, California Attorney

Walking in Los Angeles is more dangerous than it should be. The city has some of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the country — LA County reported 389 pedestrian deaths in the two-year period from 2022 to 2023, according to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety. That averages out to roughly one pedestrian killed every two days. The numbers are concentrated in areas with heavy foot traffic and wide, fast-moving roads: South LA, East Hollywood, Koreatown, Westlake, and parts of the San Fernando Valley.

Pedestrians who survive these collisions face devastating injuries. A human body offers zero protection against a vehicle traveling at 30 or 40 miles per hour. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal organ injuries are common. Many victims spend months in recovery and face permanent disabilities.

At McNally Law Offices, our Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyers have more than 30 years of experience representing walkers, joggers, and people crossing the street who were struck by negligent drivers. We fight to recover full compensation for medical bills, lost income, and the long-term impact these injuries have on our clients’ lives.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles

Our investigations consistently identify the same patterns:

• Failure to yield at crosswalks — California Vehicle Code Section 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. Many drivers ignore this law, especially when making turns at busy intersections.
• Distracted driving — A driver looking at their phone for three seconds at 35 mph travels 154 feet — more than half the length of a football field — without seeing what is in front of them.
• Speeding — The relationship between speed and pedestrian fatalities is stark. A pedestrian hit by a car traveling 25 mph has a 10% chance of dying. At 40 mph, that jumps to 45%. At 55 mph, it reaches 85%.
• Impaired driving — Alcohol and drug impairment reduces a driver’s ability to see pedestrians, especially at night.
• Left turns at intersections — Drivers making left turns are focused on finding a gap in oncoming traffic and frequently fail to check for pedestrians in the crosswalk they are turning into.
• Backing up in parking lots and driveways — Low-speed collisions that can still cause serious injuries, especially to children and elderly pedestrians.
• Poor infrastructure — Missing crosswalks, inadequate lighting, lack of pedestrian signals, and roads designed for cars rather than people. Los Angeles has been working to fix these issues through its Vision Zero initiative, but progress has been slow.

Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Because pedestrians have no protection, their injuries are typically more severe than those suffered by vehicle occupants:

• Traumatic brain injuries — from striking the pavement, the vehicle hood, or the windshield
• Spinal cord injuries — partial or complete paralysis from the force of impact
• Multiple fractures — legs, pelvis, ribs, arms, and facial bones
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Severe road rash and soft tissue injuries
• Knee and ankle injuries that may require multiple surgeries and long-term physical therapy
• Psychological trauma — PTSD, anxiety, and fear of crossing streets

California’s Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws

California law strongly protects pedestrians. Key provisions include:

Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks — both marked crosswalks (with painted lines) and unmarked crosswalks (at any intersection where streets meet, even without paint). Many drivers and insurance adjusters do not realize that unmarked crosswalks exist at virtually every intersection.

Pedestrians must exercise due care — The law does not give pedestrians unlimited rights. Pedestrians cannot suddenly leave a curb and walk into the path of a vehicle that is too close to stop. But “jaywalking” — crossing outside a crosswalk — does not automatically bar a pedestrian from recovery under California’s comparative negligence rule. It may reduce the percentage of damages, but it does not eliminate the claim.

Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims

Our clients recover damages including:

• All medical costs — emergency, surgical, rehabilitative, and ongoing
• Lost wages and future lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Home modification costs and assistive devices for permanent injuries
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I was jaywalking when I was hit?

You can still file a claim. California’s pure comparative negligence system means your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault — but you are not barred entirely. If a jury finds you 30% responsible and awards $300,000, you receive $210,000. The driver still had a duty to watch for pedestrians, and we present evidence showing their negligence was the primary cause.

What if the driver left the scene?

Pedestrian hit-and-run accidents are tragically common in Los Angeles. You can file a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage if you have it. We also work with police and investigators to identify the driver through traffic cameras, business surveillance, and witness accounts.

Can I sue the city for a dangerous intersection?

Yes. If the city or county failed to install adequate crosswalks, signals, lighting, or traffic calming measures at a location known to be dangerous, they can be held liable. You must file a government claim within six months. We handle claims against the City of Los Angeles, LA County, and Caltrans.

Contact Our Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one was struck by a vehicle while walking in Los Angeles County, McNally Law Offices will fight for the compensation you deserve. We serve clients from our Pasadena and Century City offices.

Call (626) 584-5744 for a free consultation. We work on contingency — no fee unless we win.