LOS ANGELES PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users. They have no protection against a car or larger vehicle weighing thousands of pounds. It’s often impossible for them to get out of harm’s way in time.
It comes as no surprise that pedestrians can suffer serious or even fatal injuries in an accident. Possible injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations and concussions
- Disfigurement
- Skull fractures
- Neck and back injuries
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS):
Pedestrian Fatalities – California’s pedestrian fatality rate is almost 25% higher than the national average. No state has more pedestrian deaths on its roadways than California.
Pedestrian Injuries – More than 14,000 pedestrians are injured in road accidents annually in California.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you might be entitled to compensation.
Cohen & Marzban is one of the most respected Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney firms. We help clients who have been injured in a pedestrian accident to receive the compensation they deserve.
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week To Schedule an Appointment.
If you’re unable to travel to our office, we will gladly send one of our pedestrian accident attorneys to visit you at home or in hospital, anywhere in Southern California.
Why Choose Cohen & Marzban Personal Injury Attorneys?
With over 45 years of experience and $2,000,000,000+ recovered for our clients, Cohen & Marzban knows the ins and outs of personal injury lawsuits.
Our list of accolades includes winning The Litigator Award™ – an honor given to only the top 1% of trial attorneys in the United States.
If you’re looking for a reputable pedestrian accident lawyer with a proven track record, look no further than Cohen & Marzban.
We offer all new clients a FREE consultation. And if we decide to take on your case, we don’t get paid unless you get paid!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do pedestrians have right of way in California?
California Vehicle Code 21950 is the statute that covers the right of way for pedestrians.
Based on this statute, pedestrians do not always have the right of way under California law.
The statute states that the driver of a vehicle must yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within “any marked crosswalk” or “any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.”
However, this does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for his or her safety.
Subdivision (b) states: “No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. No pedestrian may unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.”
Drivers are expected to exercise due care when approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
Subdivision (c) states: “The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.”
Will my case go to trial?
Whether or not your case will go to trial will depend on the unique circumstances of your case. Most cases involving pedestrian accidents are settled out of court. However, if we can’t conclude a fair settlement agreement with the other party, we won’t hesitate to go to court if it’s in your best interests.
Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?
Insurance companies are known to often submit lowball offers that are well-below what the victim deserves. You’re not obliged to accept the first offer you receive.
Before you accept any settlement offer, we recommend that you first discuss your options with a pedestrian accident lawyer at Cohen & Marzban.
Who is liable for damages in a pedestrian accident?
California is a fault-based car accident state. You will have to prove that the other party was negligent. Depending on the circumstances, the other party can be:
Driver – Driving under the influence, texting while driving, speeding, ignoring traffic signals, etc. are all common causes for pedestrian accidents. The driver’s auto insurance company will typically be held liable for damages.
City – The City of Los Angeles may be held liable for defective crosswalks or traffic signals that contributed to a pedestrian accident.
In accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, you have two years after the date of an accident to commence with civil actions against the other party.
However, in the case of a government entity such as the City of Los Angeles, you only have six months to file a claim for damages. If you miss this deadline, you will not be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit afterwards.
Company – If a negligent on-duty driver working for a company like UPS or a pizza delivery business caused the accident, the company might be held liable.
What damages can I claim?
Proving damages is one of the most important parts of a pedestrian accident claim. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can help you to prove and claim damages for:
- Emergency medical treatment.
- Ongoing and necessary medical care.
- Pain and suffering.
- Loss of quality of life.
- Lost wages – both current and future.
- Rehabilitative care.
- Disability compensation.
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement.
If you’ve suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, the pedestrian injury attorneys at Cohen & Marzban stand ready to help you.