One moment on foot. One driver who wasn't paying attention. That's all it takes. We are a Los Angeles pedestrian accident law firm that shows up.
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Call us at (818) 922-8522 or fill out the form below.
When a vehicle hits you on foot, the physical and legal aftermath can be overwhelming. Akaragian Law represents pedestrians throughout Los Angeles, including hit-and-run victims.
When a driver hits you and keeps going, everything feels uncertain at once.
Being struck as a pedestrian in Los Angeles is traumatic. Whether it happened at a crosswalk, in a parking lot, on a driveway, or on the sidewalk, the physical and emotional impact is immediate. When the driver doesn't stop, the questions that follow, including who pays for your injuries when you don't know who hit you, can feel impossible to answer alone.
Here is what most people don't know: your own auto insurance, or a household member's policy, may include uninsured motorist coverage that applies to pedestrian hit-and-run injuries even if you were not in a vehicle. That coverage, if available, is often the primary source of compensation when a driver flees. Akaragian Law works with pedestrians hurt throughout Los Angeles, including hit-and-run victims, to identify available sources of recovery and build a claim that reflects the full extent of what happened.
What to Expect When You Work With Akaragian Law on a Pedestrian Injury Claim
Akaragian Law works with pedestrians hurt throughout Los Angeles to identify available sources of recovery and build a claim that reflects the full extent of what happened.
Free Consultation & Case Review: We start by reviewing what happened, documenting the circumstances of the crash, and identifying available insurance sources. For hit-and-run cases, we look at your own UM coverage and household policies from the outset, because that can be where recovery begins when a driver is unknown.
Case Investigation: If we move forward, we request police reports,law enforcement (i.e. LAPD) case records, and any available surveillance footage. We also try to document the scene, identify witnesses, and build a clear picture of what happened and who may be responsible.
Communication & Updates: You will regularly know where things stand. Clear, direct communication throughout your case is something we strive to attain.
Pursuing Compensation: Pedestrian injury cases may include compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain, and the long-term impact on daily life. In hit-and-run cases where the driver is identified, punitive damages may also be available. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney's fees or costs unless a recovery is obtained.
Why Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Victims Choose Akaragian Law
Pedestrian accident claims, and especially hit-and-run cases, require someone who knows how to pursue recovery even when the path is not obvious. Finding the right insurance coverage, preserving evidence before it disappears, and pushing back against insurers who try to assign fault to the pedestrian are all part of what this kind of case demands.
Our promise is straightforward. You get honest answers about what your case looks like, clear communication throughout the process, and a team that handles the legal complexity while you focus on recovering. You are not passed off or left without answers.
You can learn more about Armen Akaragian and verify his standing through the California State Bar's official attorney profile. He is locally established, actively licensed, and committed to serving clients throughout Los Angeles.
What clients typically value most about working with our firm:
Clear, direct communication throughout their case
Practical guidance on pedestrian and hit-and-run claims, which come with rules most people have never encountered
A team that treats them like a person, not a file number
Nayeli
“No better team in the business to take care of you. I appreciate Armen and Bun’s guidance throughout my dad’s case. They were professional, knowledgeable, and caring to say the least. They “held our hand” from beginning to end. Was thorough through each step of the way and we appreciated their efforts to update us on the case as it progressed.”
What should you do after being struck as a pedestrian in Los Angeles?
If you are injured, call 911 and stay at the scene. A police report is one way to officially document the crash. For hit-and-run crashes, the law enforcement (i.e. LAPD) case number is usually required to make an insurance claim.
Try to seek medical care that day, even if your injuries are not serious. Pedestrian crashes can result in soft-tissue injuries, internal injuries, and head trauma that are not immediately apparent.
Document everything you can safely. Photos of the location, your injuries, the vehicle (if present), road conditions, crosswalk markings, traffic signals, and the surrounding area can matter.
If possible, get witness information. Names and phone numbers from bystanders and other drivers can be essential in disputed cases. Nearby cameras may have footage that disappears within days if not preserved.
It may be wise not to give a recorded statement to an insurance company before knowing your rights. The other driver's insurer and sometimes your own insurer will contact you quickly. Your statement can be used to try to minimize the value of your claim.
Consider contacting a pedestrian accident attorney. For most cases, California's personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury. In practice, acting sooner can help preserve evidence and allow an attorney to identify available sources of compensation.
What happens when the driver flees the scene?
Some statistics show thatHit-and-run accidents are the most common and most legally complex type of pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles. In 2024, 98 people died in hit-and-run crashes in the city, and approximately 24% of California pedestrian deaths involved drivers who fled.
Under California Vehicle Code § 20001, leaving the scene of an accident that causes injury or death is a felony punishable by up to four years in state prison. The criminal case and your civil claim are separate proceedings. Your right to compensation does not depend on whether the driver is ever caught.
If the driver is found and a civil lawsuit is filed, punitive damages may also be available in hit-and-run cases because fleeing can help establish conscious disregard for the rights and safety of others' under California Civil Code § 3294.
| Scenario | Likely Source of Recovery |
|---|---|
| Driver is identified and insured | Driver's liability insurance and your underinsured motorist coverage, if it exceeds the amount of the driver’s liability insurance |
| Driver is identified but uninsured | Your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, if you carry it |
| Driver is never identified | Your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, if you carry it |
| Punitive damages | If driver is found and civil case is filed (CVC § 20001 / Civil Code § 3294) |
Takeaway: California requires insurers to offer UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured motorist) coverage, though drivers may decline it in writing. If you or a household member carries that coverage, it may apply to pedestrian hit-and-run injuries even if you were not in a vehicle. This is one of the most important and least understood aspects of hit-and-run pedestrian claims in California.
What are pedestrian rights under California law?
Under California Vehicle Code § 21950, the driver of a vehicle is required to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.
California uses a pure comparative negligence standard under Civil Code § 1714, meaning that even if you were partly at fault, you can still pursue a claim. Your recovery is reduced by a percentage of fault. Insurance companies routinely argue pedestrian fault to reduce or deny claims, which is one reason documentation and legal guidance can matter from the outset.
What other types of pedestrian accidents happen in Los Angeles?
Beyond hit-and-run crashes, pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles can fall into other categories, each with distinct circumstances that affect how liability is established.
Crosswalk and intersection strikes are the most common after hit-and-run. Some involve drivers who fail to check for pedestrians before turning, or who misjudge a pedestrian's position in the crosswalk.
Sidewalk crashes involve vehicles that leave the roadway and enter the sidewalk, which can be due to loss of control, impairment, or mechanical failure. Liability in such circumstances may involve the driver, a vehicle manufacturer, or in some circumstances a government entity.
How dangerous are Los Angeles streets for pedestrians?
Los Angeles is among the most dangerous cities in the United States for pedestrians, with a fatality rate roughly three times that of New York City. In 2024, the city recorded 1,402 pedestrian crashes resulting in 158 deaths and 1,415 injuries. Pedestrian deaths have nearly doubled since 2015, the year Los Angeles launched Vision Zero, a program that pledged to eliminate all traffic deaths by 2025.
Several specific corridors account for a disproportionate share of these injuries.
The intersection of Figueroa Street and Slauson Avenue recorded 66 serious collisions, including 17 felony hit-and-runs and 7 pedestrians struck, between February 2021 and February 2025.
Seventy-seven percent of California pedestrian fatalities occur at night.
Takeaway: When a pedestrian is struck on a corridor with a documented crash history, that history can be relevant evidence in establishing the conditions in which the crash occurred.
Pedestrian Accident
FAQs
If you are searching for a rideshare accident attorney in Los Angeles, you may have some questions. View all FAQs or call us directly at (818) 922-8522 for a free consultation.
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Possibly. Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, or a household member's UM policy, may apply to pedestrian hit-and-run injuries even if you were not in a vehicle at the time of the crash. The availability and amount depend on your specific coverage.
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Yes. California uses a pure comparative negligence standard under Civil Code § 1714.
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Pedestrian accident claims in California may seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and in hit-and-run cases where the driver is identified, potentially punitive damages under Civil Code § 3294.
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Physical evidence, traffic signal data, surveillance footage, and witness accounts help establish what actually happened.
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California's personal injury statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of injury. Acting sooner is practical because evidence, surveillance footage, and witness accounts can be available only for a short window after a crash.
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California's personal injury statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of injury. Acting sooner is practical because evidence, surveillance footage, and witness accounts can be available only for a short window after a crash.
Related Practice Areas
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Car Accidents
Akaragian Law handles car accident claims throughout Los Angeles, from two-vehicle collisions to multi-party crashes involving disputed liability and complex insurance issues.
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Truck & Semi-Truck Accidents
Collisions with trucks often lead to serious injuries and more serious legal challenges. Truck accident attorney Armen Akaragian approaches cases with care, persistence, and experience to face insurance defense teams. We investigate, advocate for you, and seek fair compensation under California Law.
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Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists deserve the same respect as anyone else on the road. When a crash happens, motorcycle accident lawyer Armen Akaragian works directly with riders to push back against insurance disputes and seek accountability. We focus on building strong cases, so you can focus on your recovery.
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Bicycle & Scooter Accidents
When drivers fail to share the road, cyclists and scooter riders are often left with the consequences. If you’ve been injured, Akaragian Law is here to listen to your story, explain your options, and take on the legal process for you. We’re committed to seeking accountability on your behalf.
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Rideshare Accident Attorney
App-based ride crashes involve layered insurance coverage and TNC-specific rules. Akaragian Law helps passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians navigate rideshare claims.
Written by Armen Akaragian. Armen is a seasoned injury attorney with decades-long track record of winning high-stakes injury cases. Known for his hands-on approach and care for clients, Armen has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements across California. He’s represented victims against major corporations and earned recognition as a top-rated auto accident attorney. Whether you need steady guidance or aggressive representation, Armen brings heart and experience to every case.
