TL; DR: If you got hit while walking and a driver’s negligence caused it, California law gives you the right to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Pedestrian injuries are often severe, and the legal clock starts ticking the moment the crash happens. Act fast, know your rights, and get a lawyer in your corner before the insurance company gets ahead of you.
Every day in Los Angeles, people step off a curb and trust that drivers will stop. Most of the time, they do. But sometimes, a driver runs a red light, checks a text, or makes a wide left turn — and someone who was just trying to cross the street ends up on the ground.
So what if I got hit while walking? What happens next? Who pays? Does it even matter whose fault it was?
At LA Metro Injury Lawyer, we answer these questions every day. If a driver’s negligence caused your injuries, California law puts you in a strong position to fight back — and we are here to help you do exactly that.
Why Pedestrian Injuries Are So Serious
A pedestrian has no protection in a collision. No airbag. No seatbelt. Just a human body meeting several thousand pounds of steel. The injuries that follow are often life-changing — broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, internal bleeding, and much more.
This is not a hypothetical. The Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC) at UC Berkeley reported that in 2024, California traffic crashes killed 950 pedestrians and seriously injured 2,531 more. Los Angeles County accounts for the largest share of those crashes statewide. If you walk anywhere in LA — to the bus stop, the grocery store, or school — this risk is real.
If you have been hurt, do not wait. We stand up for pedestrians who have been hit by cars, trucks, or motorcycles. Don’t let them blame you. Evidence disappears fast, witnesses forget, and insurance companies move quickly — and not in your favor.
How Negligence Decides Your Case
California follows a rule called pure comparative fault. Even if you were partly responsible — maybe you crossed mid-block, or the light was changing — you can still recover compensation. Your payout simply gets reduced by your share of fault.
If a jury decides you were 20% at fault and the driver was 80% at fault, you still collect 80% of your damages. Most people do not know how to prove negligence.
What does driver negligence look like? It looks like speeding, running a red light, using a phone, making an illegal turn, and failing to yield when required. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association’s 2024 annual report, one in four pedestrian deaths nationally results from a hit-and-run crash. That driver chose to flee. That choice carries serious legal consequences in California.
Our Attorneys dig through traffic camera footage, police reports, cell phone records, and witness statements to build the strongest case possible for you.
Is Compensation Really Available to You
People often assume that because they were on foot, their case is weak. Insurance companies count on that assumption.
When a driver’s negligence causes your injuries, California law lets you recover for:
- Medical bills — emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and future treatment
- Lost wages — every paycheck you missed while unable to work
- Pain and suffering — physical hurt and the emotional weight it carries
- Loss of quality of life — the activities and abilities taken from you
- Wrongful death — if you lost someone, our team can walk you through a wrongful death claim
A broken wrist and a traumatic brain injury are different situations. But both deserve a strong legal fight. No one — not the driver, not the insurance company — gets to decide your suffering was not worth pursuing.
How the Legal Process Actually Works
Most people have never hired an injury lawyer. The process feels overwhelming, especially when you are still in pain, and bills are piling up. Here is how it actually goes.
You call us. The first conversation is free. We listen, ask questions, and tell you clearly where your case stands — no jargon, no runaround. From there, we handle everything: gathering your medical records and police reports, investigating the crash, and negotiating with insurance adjusters who will try to pay you as little as possible. We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win — not a dime. That is how we operate.
Why Los Angeles Is Especially Dangerous
Los Angeles is built around cars. Wide, fast roads. Crosswalks that drivers routinely ignore. Neighborhoods where people walk every day, but traffic moves like a freeway.
The GHSA’s 2025 report showed California achieved a 32% drop in pedestrian fatalities in the first half of 2025 — the largest decline of any state in the country. That is progress. But it still means hundreds of people died and thousands were seriously hurt. Progress is not the same as safety.
If you got hit while walking in Compton, Inglewood, Downtown LA, or anywhere along a busy corridor, you are not alone — and you are not out of options. Our attorneys know these streets, the intersections where crashes cluster, and the patterns that show negligence. That knowledge wins cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I got hit while walking, and I was jaywalking?
You can still recover compensation in most cases. California’s comparative fault rule reduces your payout by your share of fault — but does not eliminate it. A driver still had a duty to avoid hitting you. Talk to our team to understand exactly where you stand.
How long do I have to file a claim in California?
Generally, two years from the date of the accident. But if a government vehicle was involved — like metro buses or trains — you may have as little as six months to file. Waiting too long can cost you your right to recover anything.
What if the driver who hit me has no insurance?
You may be able to recover through your own uninsured motorist coverage or other legal avenues. Our team looks at every option. A lack of insurance does not automatically mean a lack of compensation.
What evidence helps my case?
Photos from the scene, traffic or surveillance camera footage, witness contact information, medical records, the police report, and proof of lost wages all strengthen your claim. Camera footage can disappear within days — move fast.
Do I have to speak to the other driver’s insurance company?
No. You are not required to give a recorded statement. Insurance adjusters are trained to find details that reduce your payout. Let us handle all communication with them on your behalf.
What if my injury seems minor right now?
Some serious injuries — internal bleeding, brain injuries, spinal damage — do not show their full impact right away. Get a complete medical evaluation immediately. Do not accept any settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Once you settle, you cannot go back.
What if the accident happened at night?
Most pedestrian fatalities occur after dark, according to UC Berkeley SafeTREC’s research. Low visibility does not excuse a driver — it raises their duty of care. They are required to slow down and stay alert.
How much does it cost to hire an LA Metro Injury Lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win.
You Got Hit. Now Fight Back.
You were living your life — walking to work, running an errand, heading home — when a driver’s carelessness changed everything. That driver’s insurance company will not offer you a fair check. They will delay, minimize, and hope you give up.
At LA Metro Injury Lawyer, we fight for pedestrian accident victims across Los Angeles. Our attorneys Matthew Blair and Oscar Ramirez have recovered millions for people who got hit while walking — and they are ready to fight for you. Call us at +1 310-582-5674 or reach out through our Contact Us page for a free case review. You pay nothing unless we win.
Key Takeaways
- If a driver’s negligence caused your pedestrian accident, California law gives you the right to recover for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
- California’s comparative fault rule lets you pursue compensation even if you share some blame for the crash.
- Los Angeles remains one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians — knowing your rights matters.
- Evidence disappears fast; contact a lawyer immediately after a pedestrian accident.
- LA Metro Injury Lawyer works on contingency — no fees unless we win your case.
