California & Nevada Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Hit by a Car While Walking?
They owe you. We make sure they pay.

Pedestrians have nothing protecting them in a crash, and insurers know it, so they often try to blame the person who got hit. We know those tactics and we fight back. Free consultations in English and Spanish.

Call nowGet a free case review
$1 billion+ recovered
No fees unless we win
Free consultation
English & Spanish
24/7 availability
Pedestrian accident lawyers in California and Nevada

If you were hit by a car while walking in California or Nevada, you may be owed compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and everything the crash has cost you. Pedestrian injuries tend to be severe, there is no car body to absorb the impact, and insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the person who got hit. Mendez & Sanchez APC has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients, and we know how to fight for pedestrians. Consultations are free, in English and Spanish, and you pay nothing unless we win.

Why Pedestrian Accident Cases Are Different

When a car hits a pedestrian, there is no metal frame, no airbag, no seatbelt standing between the vehicle and your body. That is why pedestrian accidents so often result in broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and other serious harm. Insurance adjusters know this, and their standard playbook is to argue the pedestrian darted out, was not in a crosswalk, or was otherwise at fault, before you have had a chance to tell your side of the story.

California law gives pedestrians the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks, and drivers must exercise caution around pedestrians in many other situations too. Being outside a crosswalk does not automatically make the accident your fault, and under comparative negligence rules, you can usually still recover compensation even if you are found partly at fault.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

  • Drivers turning left or right who fail to yield to pedestrians already in the crosswalk
  • Distracted or texting drivers who do not see the pedestrian until it is too late
  • Vehicles backing out of driveways or parking lots
  • Drivers who run red lights or stop signs at marked crossings
  • Speeding through residential streets and school zones
  • Hit-and-run drivers who flee the scene

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

  1. Get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel okay, adrenaline can mask injuries, and internal injuries or concussions may not show symptoms for hours or days.
  2. Call the police. Get a formal accident report and a case number.
  3. Photograph everything you can: the vehicle, the driver's plate, the crosswalk or intersection, and any visible injuries. If witnesses saw the crash, get their names and phone numbers.
  4. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. What you say early on can be used to shift blame onto you.
  5. Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer. Traffic camera and doorbell footage gets overwritten fast, often within 30 days. A lawyer can act quickly to preserve what matters.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

  • Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and future care
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
  • Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life

What if the Driver Fled the Scene?

You may still be able to recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage, even though you were walking and not driving. Most people do not realize their own car insurance can cover a pedestrian hit-and-run. Do not assume you have no options, call us before you decide there is nothing to be done.

Cities we serve

Los AngelesSan DiegoSan FranciscoSan JoseFresnoSacramentoLong BeachOaklandBakersfieldAnaheimSanta AnaRiversideStocktonIrvineChula VistaFremontSan BernardinoModestoFontanaOxnardMoreno ValleyGlendaleHuntington BeachSanta ClaritaGarden GroveOceansideRancho CucamongaSanta RosaOntarioLancasterElk GrovePalmdaleCoronaSalinasPomonaTorranceEscondidoSunnyvalePasadenaOrangeFullertonHaywardThousand OaksVisaliaConcordSimi ValleySanta ClaraRosevilleVallejoEl MonteBerkeleyDowneyCosta MesaInglewoodNorwalkWest CovinaBurbankComptonLas VegasHendersonRenoNorth Las VegasSparksCarson CityFernleyElkoMesquiteBoulder City

Frequently asked questions

You should strongly consider it. Insurance companies routinely argue the pedestrian was at fault to avoid paying a fair settlement. An attorney levels the playing field, preserves evidence before it disappears, and typically recovers significantly more than what insurers offer unrepresented claimants.
Both California and Nevada give you 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If a government vehicle, like a city bus, was involved, California requires a government claim within as little as 6 months. Contact an attorney as soon as possible so evidence can be preserved.
Less than you'd think. California law requires drivers to exercise due care around pedestrians in many situations outside of marked crosswalks too. Not being in a crosswalk doesn't automatically make the accident your fault, and comparative negligence rules mean you can often still recover even if you are found partly at fault.
That's one of the most common defenses, and it's often wrong. We look at traffic camera footage, witness statements, the driver's speed, and whether they were distracted. In most crosswalk accidents, the driver is at fault regardless of what they claim.
It depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, time missed from work, and how the accident has affected your life. Pedestrian injuries tend to be serious because there is no vehicle protecting you, which can mean larger recoveries. Mendez & Sanchez APC offers a free case evaluation to estimate what your specific case may be worth.
Yes. We have an office in Las Vegas and handle pedestrian accident cases throughout Nevada as well as California. Our attorneys are familiar with both states' traffic laws, comparative fault rules, and insurance requirements.

Meet our attorneys

Managing partners with personal injury experience across California and Nevada

Giancarlo Mendez, Esq.

Giancarlo Mendez, Esq.

Managing Partner

Michael Sanchez, Esq.

Michael Sanchez, Esq.

Managing Partner

Arya Tahmassebi, Esq.

Arya Tahmassebi, Esq.

Managing Partner

Other cases we handle

Car AccidentHurt in a car crash? We fight for your medical bills, lost wages, and everything else you deserve.Truck AccidentHit by a semi or big rig? Trucking companies deploy response teams fast. So do we.Motorcycle AccidentInjured on your bike? We fight past the bias and get you what your injuries are actually worth.Bicycle AccidentHit while cycling? We fight the insurer's excuses and get you what your injuries are worth.Rideshare (Uber & Lyft)Hurt in an Uber or Lyft? We know exactly how rideshare insurance works — and how to use it.Slip & FallProperty owners have a legal duty to keep you safe. When they fail and you get hurt, they're responsible.Workers' CompensationInjured on the job and getting the runaround? We fight for your full benefits and appeal denials.Wrongful DeathLost a family member because of someone else's negligence? We fight for justice and for your family.
Call now