Who Is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident in Reseda?
If you were hit by a car while walking in Reseda, the question of liability determines whether you can recover compensation. In most cases, the driver bears primary responsibility. But insurance companies fight hard to shift blame onto pedestrians, and the specifics of where and how the crash happened matter.
California Law: Drivers Must Yield to Pedestrians
Under California Vehicle Code 21950, drivers must yield to any pedestrian crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. If you were crossing Reseda Blvd, Sherman Way, or Vanowen St in a crosswalk when hit, the driver almost certainly violated this law. That violation is powerful evidence of negligence.
Even at unmarked crosswalks, which exist at every intersection, drivers have the same obligation. Many Reseda residents do not realize that unmarked crosswalks carry the same legal protections as painted ones.
Common Liability Scenarios in Reseda
Crosswalk collisions on Reseda Blvd. Reseda Blvd carries traffic at 40 to 45 mph. Pedestrians crossing at signalized intersections are frequently struck by turning drivers who fail to check the crosswalk. The turning driver is liable for failing to yield.
Intersection crashes at Sherman Way. The Reseda Blvd and Sherman Way intersection sees enormous foot traffic. Drivers making left or right turns routinely fail to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. The driver who failed to yield is liable.
Backing vehicles in parking lots. Commercial lots along Reseda Blvd and Vanowen St are common sites for pedestrian injuries. Under CVC 22106, a backing driver who hits a pedestrian is presumed at fault.
Distracted drivers on residential streets. Drivers texting or looking at phones fail to notice pedestrians crossing. Cell phone records can prove distraction.
When You May Share Some Fault
California's pure comparative fault system means fault can be shared. The insurer will argue you were jaywalking, wearing dark clothing at night, looking at your phone, or stepped suddenly into traffic. Even if some of these have merit, they do not eliminate your right to recover. If you are found 30% at fault with $300,000 in damages, you still recover $210,000.
Under CVC 21954, drivers must exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians regardless of where the pedestrian is crossing.
Can the City Be Liable?
If a dangerous condition on Reseda Blvd, Sherman Way, or Vanowen St contributed to the accident, the government entity maintaining that road may share liability. Missing crosswalk markings, broken pedestrian signals, inadequate lighting, and overgrown vegetation blocking visibility can all be factors. Government tort claims must be filed within six months.
What Evidence Establishes Liability
The LAPD accident report is the starting point. Surveillance footage from Reseda Blvd businesses, witness testimony, traffic signal timing records, and your medical records from Northridge Hospital all build the case. This evidence must be preserved quickly.
A Reseda pedestrian accident lawyer can issue preservation letters and begin investigation immediately.
Take Action Now
The insurance company will challenge your account and try to reduce your recovery. An attorney who understands pedestrian cases on Reseda Blvd and Sherman Way can protect your interests and build the strongest case.
Pedestrian Rights and Driver Duties in Reseda
California Vehicle Code Section 21950 requires drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks, whether marked or unmarked. Drivers approaching a crosswalk must exercise due care and reduce speed or stop to allow pedestrians to cross safely. This duty applies at every intersection in Reseda, including along Reseda Blvd, Sherman Way, Vanowen St, and Victory Blvd.
Even outside of crosswalks, drivers have a duty to exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians. If a driver was speeding, distracted by a phone, or failed to keep a proper lookout, they can be held liable for hitting a pedestrian regardless of where the pedestrian was crossing.
Pedestrian accident injuries are almost always severe because there is no barrier between the pedestrian and the vehicle. Fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ injuries, and fatal injuries are common. Treatment at Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills or Northridge Hospital Medical Center is typically just the beginning. Long-term rehabilitation, assistive devices, home modifications, and ongoing medical care can generate costs that extend years into the future.
California's comparative fault rules apply to pedestrian cases. If the pedestrian was crossing against a signal or outside a crosswalk, the driver's insurance company will argue that the pedestrian was partially at fault. Even with partial fault, the pedestrian can still recover damages, just reduced by their percentage of fault. An attorney experienced in pedestrian cases can minimize unfair fault assignments and maximize your recovery through negotiation or litigation at Van Nuys Courthouse West.
What to Do After Being Hit by a Car in Reseda
If you were struck by a vehicle while walking near Reseda Blvd, Sherman Way, Vanowen St, and Victory Blvd, the most important step is getting medical attention immediately. Call 911 from the scene. Even if you think your injuries are minor, the force of a vehicle impact can cause internal injuries that are not immediately apparent. Get to Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills or Northridge Hospital Medical Center for a full evaluation.
While waiting for emergency services, try to document the scene if you are physically able. Use your phone to photograph the vehicle that hit you, the license plate, the intersection or location, any traffic signals or signs, and your visible injuries. Get contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident.
Do not accept any offer from the driver's insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Pedestrian accident claims involve serious injuries with long recovery timelines, and early settlement offers rarely reflect the true value of these cases. The insurance company wants to close your claim quickly, before the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs is known.
LAPD investigates pedestrian accidents on city streets, while CHP handles incidents on freeways and highway on/off ramps. The police report is an important piece of evidence, but it is not the only factor in determining liability. Your attorney can supplement the police investigation with independent evidence, witness statements, and expert analysis. If litigation becomes necessary, your case would be heard at Van Nuys Courthouse West, where pedestrian accident claims are regularly adjudicated.
L&F Brown handles pedestrian accident cases throughout Reseda on contingency. Visit our Reseda personal injury page or call us today.
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