What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Glendale

After a pedestrian accident in Glendale, move to safety, call 911 so Glendale Police can file an official report, seek medical attention the same day, photograph the scene, collect the driver’s insurance information, gather witness contacts, and do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney.

These steps apply whether the crash happened on Brand Boulevard, Central Avenue, or anywhere else in Glendale. If you were just hit, you must know what to do after a pedestrian accident in Glendale to protect both your health and your claim.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident in Glendale

The eight steps to take immediately after a pedestrian accident in Glendale are:

1. Move to safety. Get out of the active roadway and onto the sidewalk or curb before doing anything else.
2. Call 911. Glendale Police Department will respond and file an official report. Insist on this even if the driver asks you not to call.
3. Seek medical attention the same day. Adrenaline can mask symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, or spinal damage. A gap in treatment will be used against your claim later.
4. Document the scene. Photograph the vehicle, license plate, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, your injuries, and any damaged clothing.
5. Collect the driver’s information. Get their full name, license number, insurance carrier and policy number, and vehicle registration.
6. Identify and collect witness information. Get names and phone numbers before anyone leaves the scene. Do not assume the responding officer will do this for you.
7. Locate nearby surveillance cameras. Note traffic cameras, business security systems, and Ring doorbell cameras in the area for your attorney to follow up on.
8. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company. Wait until you have spoken with an attorney before answering questions about how the accident happened.

Pedestrian accident cases in Glendale move faster when these steps are taken at the scene. California personal injury lawyers and Glendale personal injury lawyers rely on this documentation to build a viable claim. 

What Evidence Matters Most After a Glendale Pedestrian Accident

The most important pedestrian accident evidence after a Glendale crash includes scene photos, witness contact details, the police report number, surveillance footage, and same-day medical records.

• Scene photos: vehicle damage, license plate, road and signal conditions, skid marks, and the final position of the vehicle.
• Your visible injuries and damaged clothing: photograph these before you start treatment, since wounds and torn clothing change quickly.
• Police report number: get this at the scene or within 24 hours from Glendale Police Department.
• Witness names and phone numbers: collect these before anyone leaves, since people are hard to reach later.
• Surveillance footage locations: note nearby cameras and act within 30 days, since most footage is overwritten after that.
• Driver’s phone use at the time of impact: note anything you saw or heard. Cell records can be subpoenaed later to confirm distracted driving.
• Same-day medical records: this is the single most important document for connecting your injuries to the crash.

The first 72 hours after being hit as a pedestrian often determine how much of this evidence is still available. Pedestrian accident lawyers can help preserve it before it disappears.

Common Injuries After a Pedestrian Accident in Glendale

Pedestrians struck by vehicles typically suffer more severe injuries than vehicle occupants because they have no structural protection.

These are the common pedestrian accident injuries seen in Glendale crashes:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is often delayed 24 to 72 hours and can appear minor at first.
• Spinal cord injuries, including fractures, herniated discs, and partial or full paralysis.
• Broken bones, with femur, pelvis, rib, and arm fractures the most common on impact.
• Internal organ damage, such as liver lacerations or a ruptured spleen, which is not externally visible.
• Soft tissue injuries, lacerations, and road rash from contact with the vehicle or pavement.

PTSD, anxiety, and driving phobia affect a significant portion of pedestrian crash survivors, even when physical injuries are minor.

A full breakdown of pedestrian accident injuries can help you recognize symptoms that may not appear until days later.

Your Legal Rights After a Pedestrian Accident in California

California’s pure comparative negligence law means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident.

If a jury finds you 30 percent at fault and the driver 70 percent at fault, you can still recover 70 percent of your damages. This applies to legal options after a pedestrian accident, even when the pedestrian was not fully in the right.

Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950, drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks and exercise reasonable care at all times, not just at intersections.

You have two years from the date of the accident to file most personal injury claims after being hit by a car in California.

If a city agency contributed to the crash, through poor road conditions or a malfunctioning traffic signal, the deadline to file an administrative claim is six months, not two years. Missing this shorter deadline can bar the entire case.

If the driver fled the scene, uninsured motorist coverage under California Insurance Code Section 11580.2 may still apply to your own policy, even though the at-fault driver was never identified.

These same rules apply across the full range of severity, including pedestrian accident fatalities.

A Glendale pedestrian accident lawyer can confirm which of these rules apply to your specific situation.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Glendale Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrian accident claims in California can recover economic damages, non-economic damages, and, in some cases, punitive damages.

Economic damages cover medical expenses after a pedestrian accident and other financial losses:

• Emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, and future treatment costs.
• Lost wages from time away from work during recovery.
• Reduced earning capacity if the injury limits your ability to work long-term.
• Out-of-pocket costs, such as transportation to medical appointments or home modifications.

Non-economic damages cover the personal impact of the injury:

• Pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress and PTSD.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Loss of consortium for spouses or family members.

Punitive damages are rare and only available in cases involving DUI, extreme recklessness, or intentional conduct by the driver.

A pedestrian accident settlement depends on the severity of the injury, how clear fault is, the quality of your evidence, and the insurance coverage available.

What Not to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Glendale

The most damaging mistakes after a Glendale pedestrian accident are refusing medical care, giving a recorded statement to insurance, admitting fault at the scene, and posting about the accident on social media.

• Refusing or delaying medical treatment: insurers use any gap in care to argue your injuries were minor or unrelated to the crash.
• Saying “I’m okay” or “I’m fine” at the scene: even said casually, this can be treated as a recorded statement against your claim.
• Giving a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer: wait until you have consulted an attorney before answering their questions.
• Accepting an early settlement offer: these rarely account for future medical costs or lost earning capacity, and signing a release is permanent.
• Leaving the scene before police arrive: this can complicate your claim and may carry legal consequences of its own.
• Posting about the accident on social media: insurers use photos or activity posts to argue your injuries are less severe than claimed.
• Missing the government tort claim deadline: if a city agency may share responsibility, this six-month window is far shorter than the standard two years.

These examples cover what not to say to your insurance company after an accident, but insurance tactics after an accident go beyond this list. An attorney can help you spot them.

Get a Free Case Review From a Glendale Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Thompson Law offers a Free Consultation with No Fee Unless We Win for Glendale pedestrian accident victims.

If you were hit while walking and are unsure what your case is worth or whether the driver, the city, or another party shares fault, we can review the details and explain your options. Contact us today to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if the driver who hit me fled the scene?

Report the hit-and-run to police immediately and try to note the vehicle’s description, direction of travel, and any partial license plate information. Your own uninsured motorist coverage under California Insurance Code Section 11580.2 may apply even if the driver is never identified.

Can I recover compensation if I was jaywalking when the accident happened?

Yes. California’s pure comparative negligence rule allows you to recover compensation even if you were jaywalking when the accident happened. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, but it is not eliminated unless a jury finds you 100 percent responsible.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in California?

You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim in California. If a government entity, such as the city, may share responsibility for the crash, an administrative claim must be filed within six months instead.

How much is a pedestrian accident settlement worth in California?

There is no fixed amount for a pedestrian accident settlement in California. Value depends on the severity of your injuries, how clearly fault can be established, the quality of your evidence, and the insurance coverage available from the at-fault party.

Do I need a lawyer for a pedestrian accident in Glendale?

Not every case requires a lawyer, but pedestrian accidents often involve disputed fault, serious injuries, or a government entity, all of which can make legal guidance valuable. A free consultation can help you decide whether your specific case needs one.

¿Pueden ayudarme con mi caso de accidente de peatón en Glendale si solo hablo español?

Sí. Atendemos casos de accidentes de peatones en Glendale y otras ciudades de California en español. Si fuiste atropellado al caminar, ofrecemos una consulta gratis y no cobramos a menos que ganemos tu caso. Contáctanos hoy.