.png)
Pedestrian accidents in Pasadena are more common than many people realize—especially in high-foot-traffic areas like Colorado Boulevard, Old Town Pasadena, and near schools and public transit stops. Whether you’re crossing at a marked crosswalk or simply walking alongside the street, the risk of being struck by a car is significant. And even when cars are moving at relatively low speeds, the injuries pedestrians suffer can be catastrophic.
With limited protection, pedestrians are highly vulnerable to traumatic injuries including broken bones, head trauma, and spinal damage. These incidents can change your life in an instant—and knowing what to do in the aftermath is critical not only for your physical recovery but also for protecting your legal rights.
In the chaos and shock that follow being hit by a vehicle, many victims are unsure of their next steps. Should you call the police? Get medical treatment even if you feel okay? Speak to the driver’s insurance? These decisions matter and can affect your ability to secure compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you’re in the roadway or in danger of being struck again, try to move to a safe location—but only if it doesn’t make your injuries worse. If you’re unable to move, ask someone nearby to call 911 and stay with you until help arrives.
Calling 911 ensures that both medical responders and law enforcement are dispatched to the scene. Don’t assume someone else will make the call—prompt emergency response is critical.
Even if you feel okay, you may have internal injuries, soft tissue damage, or a concussion that hasn’t fully developed yet. Adrenaline and shock can mask pain in the immediate aftermath of an accident.
Let paramedics examine you on-site, and if advised, go to the emergency room. Follow up with your primary care physician or a specialist as soon as possible. Early medical documentation not only protects your health—it creates a record that links your injuries to the accident, which is vital for any legal claim.
When police arrive, be sure to provide a clear and accurate account of what happened. Mention details like:
Ask for the officer’s name and badge number, and find out how to obtain a copy of the police report. This document can be a key piece of evidence when filing a claim or pursuing compensation from the driver’s insurance company.
If you’re physically able—or if someone can assist you—gather as much evidence as possible at the scene. This can significantly strengthen your injury claim later on. Important evidence includes:
After the accident, the driver’s insurance company may contact you quickly—sometimes within hours. They may seem friendly or offer a fast settlement, but do not give a recorded statement or accept any offer without speaking to a lawyer. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and may try to use your words against you.
Even a simple apology or guess about what happened can be twisted into an admission of fault. Politely decline to speak until you’ve talked to legal counsel.
The sooner you involve an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer, the better. A qualified attorney will:
Under California Vehicle Code § 21950, drivers are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks. This means that if you were walking lawfully—such as crossing with a signal or within a designated crossing area—the driver is typically held responsible for the collision.
Even outside of a crosswalk, drivers are still expected to exercise due care, which includes reducing speed, staying alert, and avoiding pedestrians when reasonably possible.
In many pedestrian accidents, the driver is found liable due to negligent behavior such as:
California follows a comparative negligence rule. This means that if the pedestrian is found to be partially responsible—for example, by crossing outside of a crosswalk, wearing dark clothing at night, or looking at a phone while walking—their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault.
However, being partially at fault does not prevent you from recovering damages. If you're found 20% responsible, for instance, you can still recover 80% of the total compensation. An experienced attorney can help argue for the lowest possible share of fault and maximize your recovery.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto pedestrians to avoid paying full compensation. That’s why it’s so important to have a legal advocate on your side who can:
Medical care following a pedestrian accident can be extensive. You may be compensated for:
If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be able to recover:
Pain and suffering damages reflect the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve endured due to the accident. These are non-economic damages and may include:
For serious injuries, recovery often involves:
In many pedestrian crashes, personal items are also damaged or destroyed. You may be compensated for:
If a loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident, surviving family members may be eligible for wrongful death compensation, which can include:
Being hit by a car is not only painful—it’s overwhelming, confusing, and emotionally draining. In the moments and days that follow, you may be dealing with medical appointments, missed work, mounting bills, and pressure from insurance companies. But you don’t have to handle any of it alone.
At the Law Offices of Tim D. Wright, we’re committed to helping injured pedestrians get the care, compensation, and closure they deserve. Whether you were hit while crossing in a marked crosswalk or were the victim of a hit-and-run in a Pasadena neighborhood, we will investigate your case, determine liability, and fight to protect your legal rights every step of the way.
You focus on healing—we’ll take care of the rest.
📍 Burbank Office:
1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302
Burbank, CA 91506
📍 Van Nuys Office:
16555 Sherman Way, Suite B2
Van Nuys, CA 91406
📞 Phone: (323) 379-9995 or (818) 428-1080
📧 Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
🌐 Website: www.timwrightlaw.com
📱 Follow us on social media for legal tips, safety updates, and client stories:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
