Glendale Pedestrian Accident Lawyer | $100 Million Recovered for Victims
Why Pedestrian Accidents in Glendale are Increasing
Pedestrian accidents can be devastating, both physically and emotionally. In Glendale alone, 135 pedestrians were killed in 2022 and 128 in 2021. These numbers are a reminder that walking near traffic carries serious risk, even when you do everything right.
When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, the injuries are often severe and sometimes fatal. Victims face expensive medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, emotional distress, and a long road to recovery.
The worst part is that most of these accidents are preventable.
If you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have legal rights. The team at Babaians Law Firm specializes in pedestrian accident cases across California.
Contact us today so we can help you get back on your feet.
Steps to Take After Being Involved in a Pedestrian Accident.
1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, and internal bleeding. Even if you feel fine at first, some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms. Getting checked out by a doctor right away protects your health and creates medical records that serve as critical evidence for your case.
2. Call 911
Contacting emergency services ensures that you receive prompt medical care and that law enforcement arrives to investigate the scene. A police report creates an official record of what happened, which is extremely valuable when filing a claim against the driver's insurance company. Make sure to ask for the report number and keep it in a safe place.
3. Collect Evidence
If you're able, take photographs of the area, any vehicles involved, traffic signals, skid marks, and your injuries. If you're in no condition to do this yourself, ask a friend or family member to help. Identify and speak with any witnesses while their memories are still fresh. Also, check for nearby security cameras that may have captured the incident on video.
4. Contact a Local Pedestrian Accident Lawyer or Attorney in Glendale
An experienced attorney can help you understand your legal rights and pursue maximum compensation. Pedestrian accident cases involve complex issues around insurance, medical bills, lost wages, and liability. Having a knowledgeable lawyer on your side means all paperwork gets filed correctly, deadlines are met, and someone is fighting aggressively for your rights from day one.
Common Causes of Crosswalk Injuries in Glendale
Pedestrian accidents can lead to serious and life-altering injuries. Many pedestrian accident victims suffer from severe injuries.
Common injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents include broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord damage, internal bleeding and organ damage.
In the most severe cases of pedestrian accident injury victims may lose limbs or suffer paralysis due to the force of impact with a vehicle.
Head and Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are among the most serious outcomes of a pedestrian accident. They can result from a direct blow to the head or from the violent back-and-forth motion of the skull during impact.
In some cases, internal bleeding in the skull occurs even when there is no visible wound. If you’ve suffered any kind of head trauma, go to the emergency room immediately. Early treatment is critical.
Neck and Back Injuries
Pedestrian collisions frequently cause neck and back damage ranging from minor strains to severe spinal cord injuries. Whiplash, herniated discs, and muscle tears are all common. In the worst cases, victims suffer partial or full paralysis.
These injuries can be debilitating and often require long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Broken Bones, Sprains, and Strains
The force of a vehicle striking a pedestrian frequently results in broken legs, arms, ribs, and hips. Fractures can be painful and may require surgery, metal hardware, or casts for proper healing. Sprains and strains involve soft tissue damage that can limit your mobility or cause chronic pain if not treated promptly.
Internal Organ Damage
Blunt-force impact can bruise or rupture organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys without leaving visible external marks.
Distracted Driving in a Pedestrian Accident
Inattentive driving is a major contributor to pedestrian collisions, which can have catastrophic repercussions.
When a driver isn’t paying attention to the road, they put pedestrians at risk and can cause serious injury or even death.
Distracted driving involves any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from the road, including talking on a cell phone, texting while driving, eating or drinking while behind the wheel, using GPS navigation systems, or even just daydreaming.
All these activities increase the risk of an accident occurring when pedestrians are involved.
For example, if someone is texting while they are crossing the street and not paying attention to traffic signals or other vehicles around them, it could result in a collision with a vehicle that wasn’t able to stop in time due to distracted driving.
Similarly, drivers who are distracted by their phones may not be as aware of pedestrians in their vicinity and thus more likely to hit them.
Even simply daydreaming can lead to tragic results if it causes a driver’s focus on the road to lapse for too long; this increases their chances of hitting a pedestrian who has suddenly stepped into their path without warning.
Impaired Driving Causing Pedestrian Crashes
Impaired driving is a major cause of pedestrian crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-impaired driving was responsible for over 47% of all fatal pedestrian accidents in 2020 alone(NHTSA).
Other forms of impaired driving such as drug-impaired or distracted driving can also be dangerous and lead to serious pedestrian injuries.
When someone drives while impaired, they put pedestrians at risk by reducing their reaction time, impairing their judgment and limiting their field of vision.
As a result, an impaired driver may not see a pedestrian crossing the street until it’s too late and an accident has occurred.
Failure to Yield Right-of-Way at Intersections or Crosswalks
Failing to grant pedestrians the right-of-way when crossing intersections or crosswalks is a major contributor to pedestrian accidents.
This type of negligence can result in serious injury and even death for pedestrians, particularly when drivers are not paying attention to their surroundings.
Some common examples include failing to slow down or stop at red lights, failing to come to a complete stop before turning right on red at an intersection, running through stop signs without looking both ways for pedestrians crossing the street, and speeding through yellow lights without giving enough time for pedestrians crossing the street.
Drivers must be aware of their responsibility to yield the right-of-way when it comes to pedestrian safety and take appropriate steps if they fail in this duty.
At times, the City or public entity responsible for a section of road or crosswalk may have overlooked appropriate measures to install signs that alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians.
Such negligence can endanger walkers if motorists are unaware they are sharing an area with foot traffic. In this case the public entity, whether its the city, county or state can also be held responsible for the accident.
Poor Visibility Due to Darkness or Inclement Weather Conditions
Poor visibility due to darkness or inclement weather conditions is a major contributor to pedestrian accidents.
When it’s dark outside, drivers often struggle to spot pedestrians crossing the street or walking along the sidewalk.
For example, one study found that most pedestrian fatalities occur between 6pm and midnight, due to dark roadways making it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians crossing the street.
The same is true in bad weather such as rain, snow and fog. These conditions can significantly reduce visibility on roads and highways and make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians attempting to cross an intersection.
Speeding and Careless/Reckless Behavior
The aftermaths of pedestrian accidents caused by excessive speed and negligent behaviors can be crushing. Speed limits are in place for a reason, but when drivers disregard them, the odds of an accident occurring greatly increase.
In addition to speeding, careless or reckless driving such as failing to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks or not stopping at stop signs also plays a significant role in pedestrian accidents.
Pedestrians should also take steps such as using sidewalks when available and crossing only at designated areas in order to stay safe on the roads.
Tips to Avoid a Pedestrian Collision
Pedestrian accidents are a growing problem. In California, 893 pedestrians were killed in 2018 alone, a 26% increase from 2014. Both drivers and pedestrians can take steps to reduce the danger.
Stay aware of your surroundings. Pay close attention to traffic signals, crosswalks, and approaching vehicles whenever you’re near a road. Use crosswalks only when they are clearly visible and marked. If there’s no marked crossing, wait for a signal light or cross at an intersection with clear sightlines.
Wear reflective clothing at night. If you’re walking after dark or in poor visibility conditions, reflective gear helps drivers see you from a greater distance. Avoid wearing dark clothing that blends into the surroundings.
Remove distractions. Take out your earphones and put your phone away when crossing roads and walking near traffic. A few seconds of distraction can have serious consequences. Stay alert at all times.
Never assume a car will stop. Make eye contact with approaching drivers before stepping into the street. If there are no clear signals, wait until all vehicles have fully stopped before crossing. Don’t rely on turn signals alone, as some drivers forget to use them or use them incorrectly.
Finding the Right Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
After a pedestrian accident, finding the right attorney can make the difference between a fair outcome and a frustrating one. You need a lawyer who specializes in pedestrian cases and understands the specific laws, insurance policies, and medical issues involved.
A strong attorney will have extensive knowledge of local pedestrian safety regulations and access to medical specialists and accident reconstruction experts who can provide valuable evidence. They should also have a track record of standing up to insurance companies and securing fair compensation for their clients.
Acting quickly matters. Evidence like witness statements, surveillance footage, and physical conditions at the scene can fade or disappear over time. Contacting an attorney soon after the accident gives your legal team the best chance to build a strong case while everything is still fresh.
Don't Let Pedestrian Accidents Get You Down. Get Babaians Law Firm on Your Side!
You have rights, and an experienced pedestrian accident attorney can make sure those rights are protected. Even if you feel confident the other party was at fault, seeking legal advice before taking any action is the smart move.
Babaians Law Firm provides aggressive representation for pedestrian accident victims across the Los Angeles and Riverside areas. We’ll advise you on the best path forward and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case.
FAQ for Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Glendale
What should I do after being hit by a car as a pedestrian in Glendale?
If you were hit by a car in Glendale, California, seek medical attention immediately—even if injuries seem minor. Call 911, report the accident, and ensure a police report is created. Gather evidence such as photos, witness information, and video footage if available. Contacting a Glendale pedestrian accident lawyer early can help protect your rights and build a strong personal injury claim.
Who is liable in a Glendale pedestrian accident case?
Liability in a Glendale pedestrian accident depends on negligence. Drivers are often at fault for failing to yield, distracted driving, or speeding, but pedestrians may share responsibility in some cases. California follows a comparative negligence law, meaning your compensation can be reduced based on your percentage of fault. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Glendale can help determine liability and prove fault.
What compensation can pedestrian accident victims recover?
Victims of pedestrian accidents in Glendale may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Severe cases may also include compensation for long-term care or permanent disability. Because pedestrian injuries are often serious, working with a Glendale pedestrian accident lawyer can help maximize your settlement.
What are the most common injuries in pedestrian accidents?
Pedestrian accidents frequently result in serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding, and paralysis. Since pedestrians lack protection, these injuries are often severe and may require long-term medical care and rehabilitation. Seeking immediate treatment and legal guidance is critical after a pedestrian accident in Glendale.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for pedestrian accident claims is typically two years from the date of the accident. Failing to file within this timeframe may prevent you from recovering compensation. Speaking with a Glendale pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible ensures deadlines are met and evidence is preserved for your case.