Someone Hit Me With Their Car While I Was Walking in North Hollywood. What Should I Do?

A walk to the store. A crosswalk on Melrose. A moment of distraction from a driver, and your life changes forever.

Pedestrian accidents in North Hollywood are rising, and the aftermath can be devastating. If you were hit by a car while walking, you may be dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and an overwhelming legal process. You might be unable to work, unsure how to pay for treatment, and wondering how to hold the driver accountable.

If you’re online searching “someone hit me with their car while I was walking,” you’re not alone. Many people turn to the internet after a serious pedestrian accident in North Hollywood, trying to figure out what to do next.

This blog breaks down what your options are under California law and how to pursue financial compensation for what you’ve been through. So what should you do if someone hit you with their car while you were walking in North Hollywood? Start with these steps.

Take These Steps Immediately After the Accident

If you were struck by a vehicle while walking, what you do in the minutes and days that follow can affect your ability to recover damages. Here’s what matters most:

• Call 911 or ask someone nearby to do it. You need immediate medical attention, and law enforcement must document the crash.
• Get medical care even if you think your injuries are minor. Many internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries don’t show symptoms right away.
• Ask for a copy of the police report. Officers should respond and complete a traffic collision report. This document can be critical to your pedestrian accident injury lawsuit.
• Collect witness contact information. If anyone saw the crash, their testimony can help prove fault.
• Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, the vehicle that hit you, traffic signals, and road conditions.

The more evidence you have from the beginning, the stronger your pedestrian injury claim will be.

Common Injuries After a Pedestrian Collision

When a vehicle hits a pedestrian, the human body absorbs the impact. The result is often catastrophic. Some of the most common pedestrian accident injuries include:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Internal injuries, including organ damage and internal bleeding
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
• Lacerations and road rash
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

If you survive the accident, your injuries can lead to permanent disability, emotional trauma, and years of rehabilitation.

Can You File a Personal Injury Claim After a Pedestrian Crash?

Yes. Under California law, if a driver hits you while you’re walking, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation.

In most cases, a pedestrian accident claim involves proving that the driver was negligent. That may include:

• Distracted driving (e.g., texting behind the wheel)
• Speeding or failing to yield at a crosswalk
• Violating traffic laws, such as running a red light
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

You do not have to be in a crosswalk to have a valid claim, though crosswalk laws can influence liability.

Even if you were partially at fault, such as jaywalking or walking against a signal, you may still be able to recover damages. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule under California Civil Code § 1431.2, which means your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault but not eliminated entirely.

What Damages Can You Recover?

If you’re an injured pedestrian, the law gives you the right to seek financial compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. These may include:

• Medical bills and hospital expenses
• Ongoing care and rehabilitation
• Lost wages and future loss of earnings
• Property damage (such as broken electronics)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• PTSD or psychological trauma
• Wrongful death damages, if you’re filing on behalf of a deceased victim

The amount you can recover depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your life, and the driver’s insurance coverage.

Key California Laws That Protect Pedestrians

California has clear laws designed to protect people walking along or across the road, whether you’re in a marked crosswalk or not. If you were hit by a car while walking, these statutes could play a major role in your case:

• California Vehicle Code § 21950 – Drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks. They’re also required to slow down and take precautions when someone is crossing the street.
• California Vehicle Code § 21954 – If you’re crossing outside a crosswalk, you still have legal protections. Drivers must stay alert and do everything they can to avoid hitting someone, even if that person isn’t in a marked crosswalk.
• California Vehicle Code § 21456 – This section outlines how pedestrian crossing signals work and what they mean. It can be important in determining who had the legal right to be in the intersection.

You don’t need to memorize traffic codes to have a strong case. Accident lawyers in Los Angeles, CA can walk you through how these laws apply and how to use them to hold the at fault party accountable.

How Insurance Works in a Pedestrian Accident Case

In most pedestrian accident lawsuits, the driver’s insurance company is responsible for paying damages. But that doesn’t mean they’ll make it easy.

Insurance companies often try to:

• Deny fault, even in clear cases
• Argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as claimed
• Blame you for stepping into traffic
• Push you to accept a lowball settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries

It’s important to avoid giving a statement to the driver’s insurance adjuster without legal representation. Anything you say can be used to deny or reduce your claim.

Do You Need to Hire Pedestrian Accidents Attorneys?

Trying to handle a pedestrian accident case on your own can backfire, especially when you’re recovering from serious injuries.
Experienced North Hollywood pedestrian accident attorneys can help by:

• Investigating the crash to determine fault
• Gathering witness statements, video footage, and police reports
• Working with medical providers to document injuries
• Calculating the full value of your pedestrian injury claim
• Negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf
• Filing a personal injury lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to pay

Having a lawyer can make a significant difference in both the outcome and the amount of compensation you receive.

What if the Driver Left the Scene?

Hit-and-run pedestrian collisions are tragically common in LA. If the driver who hit you fled the scene:

• Report it to police immediately
• Ask nearby businesses or homeowners if they have surveillance footage
• Provide any vehicle details you remember

If the driver is not found, you may still have options through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.

Time Limits for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit

California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. You must file your pedestrian accident lawsuit before this deadline or risk losing your right to seek financial compensation.

If your claim is against a government entity (such as if a city vehicle hit you), you may have as little as six months to file a notice of claim under California Government Code § 911.2. Don’t wait to get legal advice.

What if a Loved One Died in a Pedestrian Collision?

If your family member was a pedestrian and suffered fatal injuries in a crash, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Damages in a wrongful death case may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of income the deceased would have provided
• Loss of companionship and support

Wrongful death claims must be filed by the deceased victim’s spouse, domestic partner, children, or other qualifying heirs under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60.

What to Expect During a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit

Not every pedestrian accident case ends up in court. In fact, many claims settle through negotiations with the driver’s insurance company. But if the insurer refuses to make a fair offer or denies responsibility altogether, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit and preparing for trial.

Here’s what the legal process can involve:

• Discovery phase: Both sides gather evidence. This may include reviewing police reports, surveillance footage, medical records, and witness statements. You may also be asked to provide your own account of the crash and how your injuries have affected your daily life.
• Expert involvement: Your legal team may work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, or vocational specialists to explain how the crash happened and what your long-term prognosis looks like. These experts can strengthen your claim by offering professional insight into the seriousness of your injuries and the driver’s fault.
• Pre-trial negotiations: Even after a lawsuit is filed, settlement discussions often continue. In some cases, the pressure of litigation encourages the insurance company to make a more reasonable offer.
• Trial preparation: If your case goes to trial, your attorney will prepare you to testify, organize exhibits, and present arguments to a judge or jury. Trials are rare, but when they do happen, it’s critical to have a lawyer who is fully prepared to fight for your recovery in the courtroom.

Throughout the process, your legal team should handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on healing. From filing documents and communicating with the insurance company to preparing you for each phase of the case, your attorney’s job is to protect your interests at every step.

Searching for a “Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me?” Talk to a Lawyer Who Knows How to Fight for You

At The Shamsi Law Firm, APC, we represent injured pedestrians and families across Southern California, including Los Angeles County, North Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, and San Bernardino. If you were struck by a car while walking, we’ll step in to hold the at fault party accountable and pursue the financial compensation you need for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care.

We understand the challenges you’re facing. From internal injuries and spinal cord trauma to post-traumatic stress and wrongful death cases, we’re prepared to handle every detail of your pedestrian injury claim.

Your case matters to us. We offer a free consultation, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis and is committed to advocating for injured pedestrians across Southern California.

Call us today at (818) 764-7640(818) 764-7640 or fill out our confidential online form to speak with a North Hollywood pedestrian accident lawyer. We’re here to support your recovery and protect your legal rights every step of the way.

Copyright © 2025. The Shamsi Law Firm, APC. All rights reserved.

The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

The Shamsi Law Firm, APC
13209 Saticoy St.
North Hollywood, CA 91605
(818) 764-7640(818) 764-7640
https://shamsilaw.com/