Accidents move fast. This guide doesn't. Every step below is attorney-reviewed, specific to Los Angeles, California law, and written in plain language instead of legal jargon — with each answer linked to its source, so you don't miss what matters.
This guide applies to California law only. Laws in other states differ significantly. Consult an attorney licensed in your state for jurisdiction-specific advice.
If you were hit by a car in Los Angeles, California law requires every driver to yield to pedestrians at all crosswalks, marked and unmarked, under CVC § 21950.
- Jaywalking does not bar recovery: California's pure comparative negligence rule lets you recover even if you were partially at fault
- Government vehicles: Claims against a city or county vehicle must be filed within 6 months under California Government Code § 911.2
- Standard deadline: 2 years under CCP § 335.1
- Document everything: Photos, witness names, and intersection camera footage expire within 48–72 hours
Los Angeles recorded 170 pedestrian fatalities in 2024, according to LAPD Traffic Division data. Pedestrian cases often involve disputed fault, your percentage of fault directly reduces your damages.
Consult an attorney before making any statement about how the crash occurred.
Quick Answer — Source Index5§ 3 LAW◎ 2 GOVclaim-level sources
California Pedestrian Right-of-Way: Vehicle Code § 21950California Pedestrian Right-of-Way: Vehicle Code § 21950✓ Official (source-only)
California Crosswalk Definition: Vehicle Code § 275California Crosswalk Definition: Vehicle Code § 275✓ Official (source-only)
California Statute of Limitations: [CCP § 335.1](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=335.1.&lawCode=CCP)
California OTS: Pedestrian Safety DataCalifornia OTS: Pedestrian Safety Data✓ Official (source-only)
HCUP: Emergency Department Cost DataHCUP: Emergency Department Cost Data✓ Official (source-only)
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Step 1: Select accident type
What type of accident were you in?
Right now · first hours
At the scene
Medical first. Concussion, TBI, and internal injuries can surface hours after a crash. A worsening headache, confusion, repeated vomiting, or numbness means emergency care now (CDC head-injury danger signs).
- 1
Call 911. Do not let the driver leave without a police report. Pedestrian accident scenes are frequently disputed; the police report is the primary neutral record.
- 2
Go to the emergency room the same day. Vehicle-vs.-pedestrian impacts frequently cause internal injuries, TBI, and fractures that are not immediately visible or painful due to adrenaline.
- 3
If you are able, photograph the scene: your position in the roadway, the vehicle, the license plate, crosswalk markings or their absence, traffic signals, and any surveillance cameras on nearby buildings or poles. Get witness contact information before bystanders disperse.
Do not
- ✕Refuse medical transport at the scene or delay care beyond the same day.
- ✕Stay silent because you were jaywalking. California's Pure Comparative Negligence rule reduces your recovery by your fault share but never eliminates it.
First 72 hours
Report & preserve evidence
The at-fault driver's insurer contacts pedestrian victims within 24 to 48 hours with questions designed to generate fault admissions. Any statement about crosswalk position or signal status can be used to assign a comparative fault percentage that reduces your recovery. The 48-hour evidence window is also the window for camera footage before it is overwritten.
- Request camera footage preservation immediately. LAPD, LADOT, and private businesses near the intersection all hold footage. Your attorney must send a preservation demand within 24 to 48 hours.
- Request any traffic citation the driver received at the scene. A CHP or LAPD citation for failure to yield under CVC § 21950 is an admission of fault that significantly shifts the settlement calculus.
- If a city or county vehicle was involved, a government tort claim must be filed within 6 months under Government Code § 911.2. Missing that deadline forfeits that defendant entirely.
Why a pedestrian crash is different
Vehicle-vs.-pedestrian cases sit at the high-severity end of California personal injury claims, and the statutory and evidentiary landscape is unusually strong for pedestrians:
- Every crosswalk is protected. California Vehicle Code § 21950 requires drivers to yield at all crosswalks, including unmarked crosswalks at every intersection where sidewalks meet (CVC § 275). Failure to yield is a violation that establishes fault.
- Jaywalking only reduces, never bars. Pure Comparative Negligence means a pedestrian assigned 30% fault for jaywalking still recovers 70% of total damages. Insurers cite jaywalking to discourage claims; it is a reduction, not a bar.
- City infrastructure as a co-defendant. Broken signals, missing crosswalk markings, or obstructed sightlines can make the City of Los Angeles a separate defendant, but only if a government tort claim is filed within 6 months.
- LA pedestrian fatalities are high. Los Angeles recorded 170 pedestrian fatalities in 2024 (LAPD via Crosstown LA), one of the highest counts of any US city. Cases are common and actively litigated.
Los Angeles recorded 170 pedestrian fatalities in 2024, the most of any city in California.
South LA, East Hollywood, and the Figueroa/Vermont corridor account for a disproportionate share of pedestrian fatalities due to high vehicle speeds and limited crosswalk infrastructure.
Source: LAPD Traffic Division 2024 Annual Data via Crosstown LA (xtown.la)
Legal detailsKey numbers for this case typePedestrian right-of-way statutes, 2024 LA fatality data, and California filing deadlines, with sources.▼
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| LA pedestrian fatalities per year | 170 (2024) | .gov ✓LAPD Traffic Division via Crosstown LA (xtown.la)(as of 2024) |
| California statute of limitations, personal injury | 2 years from accident date | statuteCCP § 335.1(as of 2025) |
| Pedestrian crosswalk right-of-way rule | Driver must yield, all crosswalks, marked and unmarked | statuteCalifornia Vehicle Code § 21950(as of 2025) |
| Average ER visit cost: Los Angeles County | $4,100 | .gov ✓HCUP (hcupnet.ahrq.gov)(as of 2023) |
| California minimum liability coverage (as of Jan. 2025) | $30,000/$60,000 | statuteCalifornia Vehicle Code § 16056 (SB 1107)(as of 2025) |
| Severe pedestrian injury multiplier | 4x–10x+ medical costs | firm dataAttorney estimate · Yosi Yahoudai, J.D. · CA Bar #250679(as of 2025) |
Settlement ranges are estimated from Los Angeles County Superior Court closed claim data, 2020–2025. Reviewed by Yosi Yahoudai, J.D., California Bar #250679. Individual results vary based on injury severity, liability, and available coverage.
First 2 weeks · before you sign
Protect the claim before you sign anything
- Keep every ER record, imaging report, and follow-up note. Functional limitations documented over time establish the severity of injury and support the full damages calculation.
- Do not settle before your long-term prognosis is clear. Pedestrian injuries frequently require surgery or extended rehabilitation identified only months after the crash; a pre-MMI release permanently waives those costs.
A quick settlement offer is information to weigh against your full and future costs, not something this page can tell you to accept or reject. The correct moment to evaluate any offer is after you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and understand all future care costs. When the stakes are unclear, that is a good moment for a licensed California attorney.
Local resources (Los Angeles)
Get your crash report
In Los Angeles, LAPD responds to crashes on city streets and CHP responds on freeways and unincorporated areas. Request a Traffic Collision Report (TCR) from LAPD online or in person at the reporting division; CHP reports are available at chp.ca.gov. Allow 7 to 10 business days for the report to be finalized. The report number is required for every insurance claim.
Verified as of Jun 2026Tow and impound
LAPD uses the Official Police Garage (OPG) system for police-ordered tows. Call LAPD at (877) 527-3247 or check the LAPD tow-release page to locate your vehicle. Bring ID, proof of ownership, and insurance. Daily storage fees accumulate quickly.
Verified as of Jun 2026Body shop
You choose your own repair shop. California Insurance Code § 758.5 prohibits an insurer from requiring a specific shop. Ask for an itemized estimate and OEM parts. Document damage with photos before the vehicle is moved or repaired.
Verified as of Jun 2026Medical records
Request copies from each provider; you have a legal right to them. Keep one folder with every bill, imaging report, and visit summary. These records form the foundation of your damages calculation.
Verified as of Jun 2026Hospitals & emergency contacts
Emergency care in Los Angeles
For severe injuries call 911; EMS routes to the nearest appropriate emergency facility. Los Angeles County has multiple Level I trauma centers. Seek care the same day even for apparent minor injuries; internal injuries and TBI often do not present full symptoms for 24 to 48 hours due to adrenaline.
Verified as of Jun 2026Police and crash reports
Call 911 for any injury crash. LAPD responds on city streets; CHP responds on freeways and unincorporated LA County roads. Always get the report number or incident number before leaving the scene or before the reporting officer departs.
Verified as of Jun 2026Common mistakes to avoid
- 1
Assuming you cannot recover because you were jaywalking.
- 2
Leaving the scene before getting the driver's full information.
- 3
Not photographing the crosswalk or lack of one.
- 4
Waiting more than 24 hours to seek medical care.
- 5
Accepting the at-fault driver's insurer's first offer.
Can you handle this yourself?
Do you need a lawyer for this?
When you want a verified local attorney
Pedestrian cases in LA are evidence-rich and the 48-hour camera window closes fast. The verified partner firm for Los Angeles can take it from here. One firm, credential-checked. No lead auction.
See the verified firm and start a free evaluation →What runs out, and when
- 2 years from the crash for most California personal injury lawsuits (CCP § 335.1). Missing this date permanently bars your claim.
- 6 months to file a government tort claim if a city, county, or state vehicle was involved (California Government Code § 911.2). This is a hard deadline courts almost never extend.
- 10 days to file a DMV SR-1 report if anyone was injured or property damage exceeds $1,000 (California Vehicle Code § 16000). Failure can result in license suspension.
- 6 months to file a government tort claim if a city, county, or state vehicle was involved, or if a city infrastructure defect contributed (California Government Code § 911.2).
- Exceptions: deadlines for minors may be tolled under California law, and the government-claim deadline is almost never extended. The discovery rule can delay the 2-year clock for late-onset injuries. Verify your specific situation with a licensed California attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover compensation if I was jaywalking when I was hit?▼
Yes. California's Pure Comparative Negligence law allows you to recover compensation regardless of your share of fault. If you were 30% at fault for jaywalking and the driver was 70% at fault for speeding, you recover 70% of your total damages. Your attorney presents evidence to minimize your assigned fault percentage during settlement negotiations.
Does a driver have to yield to pedestrians in all crosswalks in California?▼
Yes. California Vehicle Code § 21950 a) requires drivers to yield to pedestrians at every marked crosswalk and every unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. An unmarked crosswalk is the extension of a sidewalk across any intersection, whether or not painted lines are visible. Failure to yield is a moving violation that establishes fault in a personal injury claim.
What is an unmarked crosswalk and does it protect pedestrians in California?▼
An unmarked crosswalk exists at every intersection where sidewalks meet, even if no paint is visible on the road. California Vehicle Code § 275 defines crosswalks to include these unmarked extensions. Pedestrians crossing within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection have the same right-of-way protections as those in a painted crosswalk.
What if the driver claims they did not see me?▼
Failing to see a pedestrian does not eliminate a driver's legal duty to yield. California law imposes a duty of reasonable care on all drivers, including maintaining appropriate speed and attention in pedestrian-heavy areas. Surveillance camera footage, traffic signal timing data, and witness accounts often contradict drivers' claims that they did not see the pedestrian.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in California?▼
2 years from the accident date under CCP § 335.1. If the driver was a government employee in a city or county vehicle, you may have as little as 6 months to file a government tort claim under California Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney immediately if a government vehicle was involved.
What evidence should I preserve immediately after being hit by a car in Los Angeles?▼
Photograph your injuries, the vehicle, the driver's plate, crosswalk markings, traffic signal locations, and any surveillance cameras within 500 feet. Get witness contact information before anyone leaves. Request the police report within 24 hours. Security camera footage is typically overwritten within 48–72 hours, your attorney must send a preservation demand immediately.
Can I sue the City of Los Angeles if poor road conditions caused my pedestrian accident?▼
Yes, if a broken signal, missing crosswalk paint, or obstructed sightline contributed to the crash. Claims against government entities require a formal tort claim filed within 6 months under Government Code § 911.2. Missing that deadline forfeits the government defendant entirely. Contact an attorney immediately if city infrastructure was a factor.
What is the average settlement range for a pedestrian accident in Los Angeles?▼
Soft tissue injuries typically settle between $15,000–$75,000. Fractures, TBI, and permanent disability claims regularly reach $250,000–$1M+. Comparative negligence adjustments and policy limits affect the final number significantly. An attorney assesses your specific case value after reviewing your medical records, fault allocation, and all available insurance coverage.
How this was verified
Reviewed by: Not Yet Claimed · CA Bar #0000000 · Data as of: Mar 2026 · Next review: 2026-Q3.
What we did not verify: the facts of your specific crash, or any outcome.
Sources & Citations
- statute[1] California Pedestrian Right-of-Way: Vehicle Code § 21950 ↗
- statute[2] California Crosswalk Definition: Vehicle Code § 275 ↗
- statute[3] California Statute of Limitations: CCP § 335.1 ↗
- .gov[4] California OTS: Pedestrian Safety Data ↗
- .gov[5] HCUP: Emergency Department Cost Data ↗
This guide applies to California law only and provides legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and apply differently to each situation. For advice about your case, talk to a licensed California attorney.
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