Pedestrian Accidents in Glendale: Brand Boulevard and High-Risk Areas
Glendale is one of the largest cities in Los Angeles County, and its busy downtown puts a lot of people on foot next to a lot of traffic. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 77 pedestrians were killed or injured in Glendale crashes in 2022, ranking Glendale 13th out of 61 similar-sized California cities for pedestrian victims (where 1st is the worst). Older adults are especially at risk: 22 of those victims were 65 or older, which ranked Glendale 4th out of 61 cities in that category. (OTS Crash Rankings, Glendale 2022)
Brand Boulevard, the main commercial corridor through downtown Glendale, sees heavy foot traffic from shoppers, diners, and commuters. The City of Glendale has focused pedestrian safety education on this stretch, installing "Be Street Smart Glendale" safety decals along Brand Boulevard from Colorado Street to the 134 Freeway. (City of Glendale) Busy crossings like Brand and Broadway, Brand and Wilson, and Brand and Colorado mix turning vehicles, distracted drivers, and crowded crosswalks.
Other busy pedestrian areas in Glendale include:
Central Avenue through downtown, where foot traffic mixes with commuter vehicles
Glenoaks Boulevard, a busy arterial that crosses residential and commercial neighborhoods
San Fernando Road, where commercial and truck traffic share the road with people on foot
The Americana at Brand and its surrounding crosswalks and parking structures, busy during evenings and weekends
If you were injured in any of these areas, a Glendale pedestrian accident lawyer can investigate the specific hazards that contributed to your collision and work to hold the at-fault driver accountable.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Glendale
Many pedestrian accidents result from driver negligence. Under California law, drivers must use reasonable care to avoid harming people on foot. When they fail, they can be held liable.
Common causes include:
Driver Distraction: Texting, adjusting GPS, eating, or talking on the phone takes attention away from crosswalks and pedestrians entering the roadway. Distracted drivers can miss people stepping off the curb on Brand Boulevard or at marked crossings.
Failure to Yield: California Vehicle Code 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and in unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Drivers who roll through stop signs or turn without checking for pedestrians put people on foot at risk.
Crosswalk Violations: Drivers who speed through intersections or stop inside the crosswalk can force pedestrians into traffic lanes.
Poor Visibility and Inadequate Signage: Faded crosswalk paint, missing pedestrian signals, and broken streetlights leave pedestrians exposed. If poor road maintenance contributed to your accident, a public entity may share liability.
DUI and Reckless Driving: Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and reduced judgment. Speeding and aggressive driving near pedestrian zones can cause devastating injuries.
If you were hit while crossing the street in Glendale, we investigate every factor, from driver behavior to road conditions, to build your case.
California Pedestrian Rights and Driver Responsibilities
California law protects pedestrians and places clear responsibilities on drivers. Understanding your rights matters, especially if the driver or their insurance company tries to shift blame.
Right-of-Way at Crosswalks and Intersections: Under Vehicle Code 21950, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. That applies at intersections throughout Glendale, whether or not painted stripes are present.
Driver Duties Under California Law: Drivers must slow down or stop as needed to keep pedestrians in the crosswalk safe. Drivers who fail to yield can be cited and held civilly liable for injuries.
Comparative Negligence in Pedestrian Cases: California follows pure comparative negligence. If you were partially at fault, such as crossing outside a crosswalk or against a signal, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. You may still recover damages even if you were mostly at fault, as long as the driver was also negligent.
What to Do If a Driver Claims You Were at Fault: Insurance adjusters sometimes argue that a pedestrian "came out of nowhere" or was jaywalking to reduce a payout. Do not accept blame at the scene. Even pedestrians outside a crosswalk are owed reasonable care, and drivers still have a duty to watch for people on foot. We gather witness statements, video footage, police reports, and other evidence to show what really happened.
If you were hit while crossing Brand Boulevard or any Glendale street, call us for a free consultation.
Injuries Common in Pedestrian vs. Car Collisions
Pedestrians have no protection when struck by a vehicle. Even low-speed collisions can cause serious, life-altering injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries and Head Trauma: When a pedestrian strikes the hood, windshield, or pavement, head injuries are common. Concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries can lead to memory loss, cognitive problems, and long-term disability.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis: The force of an impact can fracture vertebrae or damage the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis.
Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries: Pedestrians often suffer fractured legs, arms, hips, ribs, and pelvises. Serious fractures may require surgery and months of physical therapy
Road Rash and Soft Tissue Damage: Being thrown onto asphalt can cause deep abrasions, lacerations, and soft tissue injuries that may leave permanent scarring.
Long-Term Effects: Some pedestrian accident victims never fully recover. Chronic pain, reduced mobility, PTSD, and the inability to return to work are all possible. Compensation should account for future medical care and lost earning capacity, not just immediate expenses.
If you were injured, we connect you with doctors at no upfront out-of-pocket cost, so you can get treatment right away.
Compensation Available for Glendale Pedestrian Accident Victims
California law allows pedestrian accident victims to seek compensation for losses caused by a driver's negligence. You may be entitled to recover:
Medical Expenses: Emergency room treatment, ambulance transport, surgery, hospitalization, medication, physical therapy, assistive devices, and future medical care.
Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity: Income you lost while recovering, and future income if you cannot return to your prior job or must work reduced hours.
Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Property Damage: Your phone, clothing, glasses, or other personal property damaged in the collision.
Wrongful Death Damages When Applicable: If a loved one died in a Glendale pedestrian accident, surviving family members may be able to recover funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
In cases where a settlement occurs, we negotiate down medical bills so more of the recovery goes to you. You pay nothing unless we win.
Steps to Take After Being Hit by a Car in Glendale
The moments and days after a pedestrian accident can affect both your recovery and your claim.
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention: Even if you feel only minor pain, get checked out. Some injuries, like internal bleeding and brain trauma, can have delayed symptoms. Medical records also document your injuries.
Document the Scene: If you are able, take photos of the vehicle, the crosswalk or intersection, traffic signals, and your injuries. Get the driver's name, insurance information, and license plate number, and collect contact information from witnesses.
File a Police Report with Glendale PD: A police report documents the driver's statements, any citations issued, and the officer's observations. Request a copy when it is available.
Preserve Evidence: Keep the clothing and shoes you were wearing, and save all medical records, bills, and instructions from your doctors.
Talk to a Glendale Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Before Speaking to Insurance: The driver's insurance company may contact you soon after the accident. Do not give a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer before talking with an attorney. We can handle communication with the insurance companies for you.
If you were hit while crossing Brand Boulevard or any Glendale street, call The Injury Law Firm at (800) 597-5596 for a FREE consultation.
Why Choose a Local Glendale Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Our office is at 308 S. Brand Blvd. in Glendale, right on the corridor this page is about. We know the area, the busy intersections, and the arguments insurance companies use to shift blame onto pedestrians.
Local Knowledge: Familiarity with Glendale streets helps us understand how and where your collision happened and gather the right evidence quickly.
Contingency Fee, No Upfront Costs: We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win, and you pay no upfront, out-of-pocket costs.
Direct Attorney Communication: At The Injury Law Firm, we value direct client-attorney communication. You are not a file number. We listen, we investigate, and we fight for the compensation you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in California?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure 335.1. If a government entity may be responsible, such as a city vehicle or a dangerous public road condition, a government claim generally must be filed within six months. Missing these deadlines can bar your claim, so call us as soon as possible.
What if I was jaywalking when I was hit?
Jaywalking may reduce your compensation under California's comparative negligence rules, but it does not automatically eliminate your right to recover. Drivers still have a duty to use reasonable care and avoid hitting pedestrians. We look at whether the driver was speeding, distracted, or broke other traffic laws.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Possibly. California follows pure comparative negligence. For example, if you were found 30% at fault and the driver 70% at fault, your recovery would be reduced by 30%. The key is showing that the driver's negligence contributed to the collision.
How much is my pedestrian accident case worth?
Every case is different. Value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and whether you face long-term effects. We can review your situation for free and give you an honest assessment.
If you were hit by a car while crossing Brand Boulevard or walking anywhere in Glendale, call The Injury Law Firm at (800) 597-5596 for a FREE consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Learn more on our Glendale car accident lawyer page or explore our Glendale personal injury practice.
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