Maison Law can help you through the claims process when you’re injured as a pedestrian in an accident in Glendale. Like a lot of places around Los Angeles, Glendale has plenty of people walking to shops, restaurants, work, and everything else going on around town. But with so much traffic moving through the city, it doesn’t take much for a driver to make a mistake and leave a pedestrian seriously hurt. If that happens to you, our team can help you understand your options and figure out what comes next. Set up a free consultation today.
Why a Lawyer Makes Sense After a Pedestrian Accident
This is one of the first questions a lot of people have after being hit by a car. And it’s understandable. You’re trying to deal with your injuries, figure out how you’re going to pay for everything, and get back to your normal routine. The last thing you want is another problem to deal with. That’s usually when it makes sense to talk to a lawyer.
Our team at Maison Law can help you by:
- Figuring out how the accident happened and who might be responsible.
- Gathering the evidence needed to support your claim.
- Dealing with the insurance company and settlement talks.
- Adding up your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
After something like this happens, you’ve already got enough on your plate. You shouldn’t have to spend your recovery trying to get answers from an insurance company or chasing down evidence on your own. Focus on getting better. We’ll help you handle the legal side of things and figure out what comes next.
Information That Can Help a Pedestrian Accident Claim
Pedestrian accidents happen quickly, but sorting things out afterward can take a lot longer. The details matter, and some of the information you need might not be around forever. Still, your first priority is your health and safety. The first step is:
- Calling 911 to get police and an ambulance to the scene.
Everything else flows from that. Don’t try to push through injuries, but if you feel up to it, it’s a good chance to get a few basics like:
- Pictures/videos of the scene, your injuries, the vehicle involved, and anything else that might help explain what happened.
- Names and contact details for anyone who saw the accident or helped you after.
- The driver’s name, contact details, license plate number, and insurance information. If they didn’t stick around, try to remember everything you can about their car.
Here’s the thing, though. Pedestrian accidents in particular usually mean pretty serious injuries. That could mean you’re not able to do anything except wait for an ambulance. That’s okay. If you’re with someone you trust, ask them to take a couple pictures. Or a nearby business or bystander can, also.
In the next few days/weeks, there’s going to be more important information that starts to come in, like:
- Medical records and bills showing your injuries and the treatment you’ve needed.
- The police report documenting the accident.
- Traffic camera, dashcam, or surveillance footage from nearby businesses and homes.
- Progress pictures of your injuries as they heal.
- Pay stubs or other records showing how much work you’ve missed and what you’ve lost in income.
One thing to keep in mind is that video footage can disappear pretty quickly. Some businesses overwrite their recordings after a short period, so it’s worth looking into this early. But either way, you don’t have to try to do it all yourself. Our team can step in and help you fill in any gaps.
Where Pedestrian Accidents Usually Happen in Glendale
Realistically, a pedestrian accident can happen anywhere in Glendale. But it usually comes down to the same factors: steady traffic, people on foot, and drivers who aren’t paying enough attention. That gives you a pretty good idea of where these accidents can happen around town:
- Busy intersections like Brand Boulevard and Colorado Street, or Glendale Avenue and Broadway
- Commercial areas along Brand Boulevard and Central Avenue, where drivers and pedestrians are constantly crossing paths
- School zones and streets around Glendale High School and other local schools
- Shopping areas like the Americana at Brand and the Glendale Galleria, where traffic, parking lots, and foot traffic all come together
- Major roads like San Fernando Road and Colorado Street, where heavier traffic can make crossing more challenging
- Downtown Glendale and nearby neighborhoods, where people walk to restaurants, shops, work, and other everyday destinations
These are all places where people go about their daily lives in Glendale. They’re heading to work, meeting friends, shopping, or walking home. But when drivers stop paying attention—or the streets aren’t set up with pedestrian safety in mind—it’s usually the person on foot who ends up getting hurt. That’s where the claims process comes in.
Who’s Responsible For My Injuries in a Pedestrian Accident?
When it comes to paying for your injuries after a pedestrian accident, the first thing to figure out is who caused it. Often, that lands on a driver that:
- Failed to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Turned without checking for people crossing the street.
- Sped through intersections or neighborhoods.
- Drove distracted or took their eyes off the road.
- Ignored traffic signals
Of course, there are other people that could be involved depending on the specifics of your accident. And when that happens, they share some of the legal responsibility. Usually, that brings in:
- A truck driver or trucking company that played a part in the accident.
- A bicyclist or another pedestrian whose actions contributed to what happened.
- A property owner who failed to take care of a dangerous condition.
- A construction crew that left behind an unsafe walkway or something people could trip over.
- A city or government agency if a broken sidewalk, faulty signal, or poorly designed street played a role.
Sometimes, it’s pretty clear who’s responsible. Other times, it takes a closer look at the driver, the location, and the circumstances surrounding the accident. And if more than one party played a part, that can affect how you pursue your claim. The important thing is not to assume you have no options before you know what actually happened. Our team can help you sort through the details and understand where you stand.
What Financial Support is There After a Pedestrian Accident?
After being hit by a car, filing a claim probably isn’t the first thing on your mind. You’re dealing with your injuries, medical appointments, missed work, and everything else that comes with trying to get back on your feet. That’s why the claims process is there—to help you financially.
To actually get it, though, you mainly have two options:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
Insurance is usually the starting point, and it’s quicker because it happens outside of court. The financial support with insurance is only based on the particular policy, and the process is totally controlled by the insurance company. If they decide not to offer you a fair settlement, you can go forward with a lawsuit. It takes more time and effort, but it covers more financial support based on things like:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current lost income or loss of future earnings
- Repair/replacement costs for damaged clothing, shoes, phone, or other property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Changes to your daily life and ability to enjoy the things you used to do.
- Other expenses tied to your injuries
- Wrongful death damages if the accident ended up being fatal
California generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a claim, but you don’t want to wait until you’re running out of time to figure this out. Evidence can disappear, witnesses can become harder to reach, and it may take time to understand the full extent of your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I was partly responsible for the accident?
You can still file a claim. California’s comparative negligence rules allow you to file a claim even if you share some of the blame. Your financial support may be reduced based on your share of responsibility.
What if the driver who hit me left the scene?
Call the police and report what happened. If you can, write down anything you remember about the vehicle or driver and check whether anyone witnessed the accident. You may still have options for pursuing compensation, even if the driver hasn’t been identified.
How long do I have to file a claim?
You generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. If a government agency may be responsible, you usually have only six months to file an initial claim. Don’t assume the longer deadline applies to every case.
Maison Law Can Help You After a Pedestrian Accident in Glendale
A pedestrian accident can turn an ordinary day into something much more complicated. You’re trying to recover, keep up with your bills, and figure out what happens next. And while you’re dealing with all of that, the insurance company may already be asking questions.
You don’t have to sort through everything on your own. At Maison Law, we can help you understand your options, look into what happened, and deal with the insurance company while you focus on getting better. Set up a free consultation today.
