Venice Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Venice, CA

Getting hit by a car while walking changes everything in an instant. Broken bones, head injuries, internal trauma. And then the aftermath: surgeries, rehabilitation, bills piling up while you can’t work. Insurance companies that want to settle quickly for less than you deserve.

Our Venice, CA pedestrian accident lawyer has fought for injured pedestrians since 1991. We handle these cases on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win.

Why Choose Cohen Injury Law Group for Pedestrian Accidents in Venice?

Decades of Results in Catastrophic Injury Cases

Nicholas E. Cohen, Managing Partner, oversees the firm’s operations and brings sharp business instincts to case strategy. He graduated from USC and earned his law degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles. Founding partner Wayne R. Cohen has practiced personal injury law in California since 1991. His credentials include a cum laude degree from the University of Miami School of Law and undergraduate studies with distinction at the University of Michigan.

Wayne has lectured at The George Washington University Law School and provided commentary to national media outlets including Fortune, USA Today, CNBC, and the LA Times on topics ranging from autonomous vehicle crashes to insurance claim disputes.

Pedestrian cases often involve catastrophic injuries. As your personal injury lawyer in Venice, CA, we understand the stakes and prepare every case accordingly.

Taking on Insurance Companies That Blame Pedestrians

Drivers and their insurers frequently try to shift blame onto pedestrians. They’ll claim you were jaywalking, distracted by your phone, wearing dark clothing, or crossing against the signal. These arguments are designed to reduce your compensation or deny your claim entirely.

We investigate thoroughly. Surveillance footage, traffic camera recordings, witness interviews, accident reconstruction when necessary.

No Upfront Costs to Hire Us

Pedestrian accident claims work on a contingency fee basis. We advance the costs of investigation and litigation. Our fee comes from the recovery we obtain for you. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.

★★★★★

“Nick is one of the best attorneys you could hire. I am very grateful for his help. He goes above and beyond for his clients!” – Ben Catt

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Venice

Venice draws crowds. Tourists flock to the boardwalk. Locals walk to restaurants on Abbot Kinney and shops along Rose Avenue. Joggers use the beach path. All this foot traffic shares space with cars, scooters, and bikes on streets that weren’t designed for the volume they now carry.

• Crosswalk collisions. Drivers running red lights or failing to yield at marked crosswalks cause devastating injuries. Intersections along Lincoln Boulevard, Pacific Avenue, and Venice Boulevard see these crashes regularly.
• Parking lot accidents. Crowded lots near the beach and retail areas create blind spots. Drivers backing out or cutting through lanes strike pedestrians who have limited space to move.
• Rideshare accidents. Uber and Lyft drivers stopping suddenly or pulling into traffic without checking for pedestrians contribute to accidents, particularly near busy pickup zones on Abbot Kinney and along the boardwalk.
• Hit-and-run crashes. Some drivers flee after striking pedestrians. California law imposes serious penalties for leaving the scene, and compensation remains available through uninsured motorist coverage even when the driver isn’t caught.
• Turning vehicle accidents. Right turns on red and left turns across crosswalks put pedestrians directly in the path of vehicles. Drivers focused on gaps in traffic often fail to see people in the crosswalk.
• Scooter accidents. Electric scooters sharing sidewalks and bike lanes with pedestrians create hazards, especially along the boardwalk and Ocean Front Walk. Riders traveling at high speeds have limited ability to stop for pedestrians who step into their path.
• Bicycle accidents. Cyclists on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail and along Ocean Front Walk sometimes strike pedestrians, particularly in crowded areas where the line between bike path and walkway blurs.

California Legal Requirements for Pedestrian Accident Cases

Pedestrians have significant legal protections under California law, but the rules governing these cases contain important nuances that affect your claim.

Statute of Limitations

California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline applies regardless of how severe your injuries are or how clear the driver’s fault seems. Miss it, and you lose the right to pursue compensation in court.

Claims against government entities follow different rules. If a city-owned vehicle struck you or a dangerous road condition contributed to your accident, the California Tort Claims Act requires filing an administrative claim within six months. This shorter window catches many people off guard.

Right of Way Laws

California Vehicle Code Sections 21950 and 21954 establish pedestrian right-of-way rules. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections without signals. But pedestrians also have a duty not to suddenly leave a curb and walk into the path of a vehicle that’s too close to stop.

Insurance adjusters exploit this second provision constantly. They’ll argue you stepped out too quickly, even when the driver had plenty of time to stop. Strong evidence counters these claims.

Comparative Fault Applies

California follows pure comparative negligence under Civil Code Section 1714. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

Insurers use this rule aggressively in pedestrian cases. They assign inflated fault percentages to reduce payouts. We push back with evidence showing exactly what happened and who bears actual responsibility.

What Damages Are Recoverable in a Venice Pedestrian Accident Case?

Pedestrians have no protection when struck by vehicles. No metal frame, no airbags, no seatbelt. Injuries tend to be severe, and compensation should reflect that reality.

Economic Damages

These cover your measurable financial losses. Medical expenses typically dominate pedestrian claims. Emergency room treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, and ongoing care all qualify. Future medical needs matter too, especially for injuries requiring years of treatment.

Lost wages include both income you’ve already missed and future earning capacity if your injuries prevent returning to your previous work. The California Courts outline what qualifies as compensable economic loss. Future medical needs matter too, especially for injuries requiring years of treatment. Lost wages include both income you’ve already missed and future earning capacity if your injuries prevent returning to your previous work. Calculating economic damages requires documenting every financial loss traceable to the accident.

Non-Economic Damages

Pain and suffering compensation addresses losses without price tags. Physical pain from fractures, surgeries, and rehabilitation. Emotional trauma from being struck by a vehicle. Anxiety about crossing streets. Depression from physical limitations. Loss of enjoyment in activities you loved before the accident.

California doesn’t cap non-economic damages in pedestrian accident cases. Severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage often result in substantial non-economic awards. Even injuries that heal eventually, like soft tissue damage, warrant compensation for the months of pain and limitation they cause.

Punitive Damages

When a driver’s conduct was especially reckless, California Civil Code Section 3294 allows punitive damages. Drunk drivers who strike pedestrians, drivers texting through crosswalks, or those who flee after hitting someone may face punitive awards designed to punish and deter.

These damages aren’t available in every case. But when the facts support them, they can substantially increase your total recovery.

Contact Cohen Injury Law Group

If you’ve been struck by a vehicle while walking in Venice, CA, you need to understand your legal options. We offer free consultations to review the circumstances of your accident, assess potential compensation, and explain how to move forward.

Recovering from a pedestrian accident is hard enough without also fighting insurance companies. Contact us to speak with a Venice pedestrian accident attorney about your case.