A trip to the store should never end in tragedy. Yet for many Glendale residents, a simple errand—grabbing groceries, picking up a prescription, or heading back to their car—can turn into a devastating accident in seconds. Imagine walking through a parking lot, bags in hand, when suddenly a distracted driver reverses without looking or speeds through an aisle without yielding. Even at low speeds, the impact can cause severe injuries, leaving victims in pain, confused, and unsure where to turn.
Fortunately, California law protects pedestrians who are injured because of another party’s negligence. Whether the accident involves a careless driver or a property owner who failed to maintain safe conditions, victims have the legal right to pursue compensation for their injuries, lost wages, and suffering.
At Tim D. Wright Law, we are committed to helping injured pedestrians in Glendale and surrounding communities rebuild their lives. Our firm provides personalized legal representation, thorough investigation, and proven results. Attorney Tim D. Wright personally handles each case, guiding clients through every step of the process—from establishing liability to negotiating with insurance companies and pursuing full compensation.
Negligent Drivers
The majority of pedestrian parking lot accidents involve drivers who fail to exercise reasonable care. This includes driving too fast, backing out without looking, or failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or designated areas. Drivers who are distracted by phones or other devices are especially likely to cause harm. When a driver’s carelessness leads to an injury, they and their insurance company can be held financially responsible.
Property Owners or Management Companies
Owners of shopping centers, apartment complexes, or office buildings have a duty to maintain safe premises for visitors. If poor lighting, missing signs, uneven surfaces, or poor layout design contributed to the accident, the property owner or management company could share in the liability.
Businesses or Retailers
Retailers that operate within shopping centers may also be liable if their activities create hazardous conditions—for example, delivery trucks blocking pedestrian walkways, merchandise displays obstructing views, or maintenance staff leaving debris in parking aisles.
Municipal Entities
If your accident occurred in a city-owned parking lot or municipal structure, the local government could be responsible for hazards such as defective pavement, lack of signage, or inadequate lighting. However, these cases involve special legal deadlines under the California Government Claims Act, which requires claims to be filed within six months.
To successfully recover compensation after a parking lot pedestrian accident, an injured person must prove negligence—that someone else’s careless or reckless behavior directly caused their harm. Under California Civil Code §1714, every individual and entity is responsible for injuries caused by their failure to exercise ordinary care in managing their property or actions. In other words, both drivers and property owners must act responsibly to prevent foreseeable harm to others.
To establish negligence in a pedestrian accident case, four key elements must be proven:
At Tim D. Wright Law, we build every case on solid evidence and detailed investigation. Our team collects and analyzes:
This evidence-driven approach allows us to present clear, compelling cases that hold negligent parties accountable and secure full compensation for our clients.
When a pedestrian is injured in a parking lot accident, the physical, emotional, and financial toll can be overwhelming. Fortunately, California personal injury law allows victims to pursue compensation for all losses caused by another party’s negligence. At Tim D. Wright Law, we help Glendale pedestrians recover every dollar they’re entitled to under the law.
These cover the tangible financial losses associated with your injury, including:
These compensate for the emotional and psychological consequences of an accident:
While rare, punitive damages may be awarded in cases involving reckless or intentional misconduct—such as hit-and-run incidents, drunk driving, or excessive speeding. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Every case is unique, and the value of a claim depends on several factors—the severity of the injury, clarity of liability, and the available insurance coverage. Attorney Tim D. Wright conducts a full evaluation of each client’s situation, working closely with medical and financial experts to ensure the total impact of the injury is accurately reflected in the claim.
California follows a pure comparative negligence system under California Civil Code §1431.2, which means that even if a pedestrian is partially at fault for an accident, they can still recover compensation. However, their total award will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
For example, if a jury determines that your damages amount to $100,000 but finds that you were 20% responsible (perhaps for walking outside a marked crosswalk or being distracted), you would still be entitled to recover $80,000.
Insurance companies often attempt to use this rule to reduce payouts by exaggerating a pedestrian’s share of fault. They may claim that you were inattentive, wearing dark clothing, or walking in a restricted area.
This is why having a skilled attorney is so important. Tim D. Wright Law is experienced in countering these tactics. Our firm presents strong evidence—such as surveillance footage, witness testimony, and expert analysis—to demonstrate the true cause of the accident and minimize unfair blame-shifting.
A pedestrian accident in a parking lot can change your life in an instant. What begins as a normal errand can end in severe injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and emotional distress that lingers long after the physical pain subsides. Recovering from such an event takes time, resources, and support—and you don’t have to go through it alone.
Tim D. Wright Law is here to stand by your side and help you rebuild. Our firm has extensive experience representing injured pedestrians throughout Glendale and Southern California, holding negligent drivers, property owners, and businesses accountable for the harm they cause. We understand how devastating these accidents can be and are committed to helping you secure full compensation for your injuries, lost income, and emotional suffering.
Contact Tim D. Wright Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation:
📍 Burbank Office: 1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302, Burbank, CA 91506
📍 Van Nuys Office: 16555 Sherman Way, Suite B2, Van Nuys, CA 91406
📞 Call: (323) 379-9995 | (818) 428-1080
📧 Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
🌐 Website: www.timwrightlaw.com
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