Glendale’s intersections see constant movement, with Brand Boulevard, Colorado Street, and Central Avenue handling thousands of pedestrians and vehicles daily.
In fact, according to Glendale Police Department data, 15 pedestrian collisions occurred between April and June 2025, with 13 people injured and one fatality in June.
When a car hits a pedestrian, even at low speeds, the human body absorbs catastrophic force. Unlike vehicle occupants protected by seat belts and airbags, pedestrians have nothing between them and the impact. The collision causes immediate trauma, followed by weeks or months of medical treatment, legal battles, and emotional recovery.
In this article, we’ll explain what happens after a pedestrian crash in Glendale, the medical and legal steps that follow, and how victims and families can pursue justice and recovery.
The moments following a pedestrian accident are chaotic and frightening. Understanding what happens during this critical window helps both victims and witnesses respond appropriately.
Emergency medical services arrive first, focusing on stabilizing life-threatening conditions. Paramedics assess consciousness, breathing, and bleeding while preparing the victim for transport to the nearest trauma center.
The Glendale Police Department secures the scene by directing traffic away from the crash site and preserving physical evidence. Officers interview witnesses, measure skid marks, and photograph vehicle positions. Their investigation determines whether citations or criminal charges are warranted.
Quick action from bystanders can also save lives and strengthen future legal claims:
This early evidence often makes the difference between a successful claim and a denied one.
Pedestrians struck by vehicles suffer disproportionately severe injuries compared to vehicle occupants. The human body offers no protection against thousands of pounds of metal moving at speed, and so it is prone to:
Head trauma occurs when the pedestrian’s skull hits the vehicle’s hood, windshield, or pavement. Concussions represent the milder end of the spectrum, while severe TBI can cause permanent cognitive impairment, memory loss, and personality changes.
The force of impact can fracture vertebrae or damage the spinal cord itself. Depending on the location and severity, victims may experience partial paralysis, complete paralysis below the injury site, or chronic pain that never fully resolves.
Lower extremities take the brunt of most collisions. Femur fractures, shattered pelvis bones, broken ribs, and compound arm fractures are common. Many require surgical intervention with plates, screws, or rods.
Blunt force trauma ruptures organs, causing internal bleeding that may not be immediately apparent. Liver lacerations, ruptured spleens, and damaged kidneys can be life-threatening without rapid surgical intervention.
Road rash from sliding across pavement, deep lacerations from broken glass, and muscle tears all fall into this category. While less severe than other injuries, they still require extensive treatment and often leave permanent scars.
The legal aftermath of a pedestrian crash involves both civil and criminal proceedings, each with different purposes and outcomes.
Injured pedestrians can file personal injury claims seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These cases are heard in Los Angeles County Superior Court and typically settle before trial.
California follows pure comparative negligence. Both the driver and pedestrian can share responsibility for the accident. If a pedestrian was jaywalking but the driver was speeding, a jury might assign 30% fault to the pedestrian and 70% to the driver. The pedestrian would then recover 70% of their total damages.
Prosecutors may file charges if the driver was:
Convictions can result in jail time, fines, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record.
While less common, pedestrians may receive citations for unsafe crossing, jaywalking outside marked crosswalks, or crossing against traffic signals. These citations can affect their ability to recover full compensation in a civil claim.
Civil judgments create long-term payment obligations. Drivers found liable must pay through their insurance policies or personal assets. If insurance coverage is insufficient, courts may order wage garnishment or asset liens to satisfy the judgment.
Most pedestrian crash lawsuits in Glendale proceed through the Los Angeles County court system, which has specific procedures for handling these cases.
The psychological toll of a pedestrian crash often lasts long after physical wounds heal. A study on the Psychological consequences of motor vehicle accidents shows that 30% to 50% of traffic accident victims develop a mental health condition, with pedestrians facing especially high risks because of their vulnerability during impact.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects roughly 20% to 36% of crash survivors, many of whom relive the incident through flashbacks, nightmares, or panic attacks triggered by traffic sounds. Research indicates that pedestrians and passengers experience higher PTSD rates than drivers due to their lack of control during the collision.
Anxiety and depression also linger for months or years. At three months post-accident, 36% of survivors show signs of at least one psychological disorder, and 32% still struggle after a year. Many develop travel phobia, with 28% to 34% reporting fear of crossing streets or being near moving vehicles. Women are disproportionately affected: 45% experience mental health symptoms compared to 28% of men, according to long-term studies.
The severity of physical injuries correlates strongly with psychological distress. Those facing chronic pain or disability often report higher rates of depression, loss of independence, and diminished quality of life. Family members, too, bear emotional strain as caregivers or grieving relatives.
Drivers involved in pedestrian crashes are not immune as well. Studies show that around 11% develop PTSD, while many others struggle with guilt, anxiety, and driving avoidance. Even when fault is shared or absent, the emotional aftermath can be devastating.
This is why early mental health intervention is crucial. Counseling, trauma therapy, and support groups help both victims and drivers process their experiences and prevent chronic conditions. Addressing psychological recovery alongside physical healing not only improves outcomes but also reduces long-term healthcare costs.
Pedestrian accident claims can recover several types of compensation, each addressing different aspects of your loss.
This category includes all costs related to treating your injuries:
You can recover wages you missed while recovering from your injuries. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or working the same hours, you can also claim lost future earning potential. Economic experts can calculate the lifetime value of this loss.
California law recognizes that injuries cause more than financial harm. Physical pain, discomfort, and the loss of life’s enjoyment deserve compensation. This category also covers:
Mental health treatment costs are recoverable, including sessions with psychologists, psychiatrists, and trauma counselors. This category covers both current therapy and future treatment that your mental health provider recommends.
Personal items damaged or destroyed in the collision can be replaced. This includes smartphones, bicycles, clothing, jewelry, or any other property you were carrying.
When a pedestrian dies from their injuries, surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages include:
Each case’s value depends on the severity of injuries, the clarity of fault, and the quality of evidence supporting your claim.
Recovering from a pedestrian accident involves more than just healing physically. The legal process can feel overwhelming when you’re dealing with pain, medical appointments, and insurance paperwork.
Thompson Law’s Glendale pedestrian accident lawyers offer FREE CASE REVIEWS. During this meeting, an attorney will listen to what happened, examine the evidence you’ve gathered, and explain how California law applies to your situation. You’ll learn what compensation you may be entitled to and what steps come next.
There’s no obligation to hire the firm and no pressure to make immediate decisions. The consultation gives you information to make the choice that’s right for you.
Contact Thompson Law today for your FREE CASE REVIEW. Let our legal team handle the paperwork, insurance communication, and evidence collection while you focus on healing and recovery.
Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.
