What Should I Do if I'm Hit by a Car in Burbank?
If a car hits you in Burbank, seek medical care, report the crash, preserve evidence, and avoid discussing fault with an insurer. California deadlines can affect your rights, so consider getting legal advice promptly.
If you are hit by a car in Burbank, move to safety if you can, call 911, and get medical care. Collect the driver's information and preserve evidence, but do not argue about fault or give an insurer a recorded statement before you know your rights. Speak with a California pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as you can because important filing deadlines may apply.
Your Health Comes First
A pedestrian has little protection against a moving vehicle. Even if you can stand or walk, you may have an injury that is not obvious right away.
Accept emergency help when needed and follow your medical provider's instructions. Keep appointments and describe every symptom honestly, including pain, dizziness, weakness, numbness, or trouble sleeping.
How California Pedestrian Accident Claims Work
A driver may be responsible when careless conduct causes a pedestrian's injuries. Examples may include failing to yield, speeding, driving while distracted, or making an unsafe turn.
To recover damages, you generally must show that the driver had a duty to use reasonable care, failed to do so, and caused your injuries. Evidence such as photographs, witness information, medical records, and video can help establish what happened.
What if the driver says I caused the crash?
That does not end your claim. California follows pure comparative negligence, which means you may still recover compensation if you share some fault, although your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Fault may depend on where each person was, traffic signals, visibility, speed, and the actions taken before impact. Avoid admitting fault at the scene because you may not yet know all the facts.
What determines the value of my case?
There is no honest way to value your claim without reviewing the evidence. Important factors include the severity and lasting effects of your injuries, medical costs, future treatment needs, lost income, reduced ability to work, pain, and the effect on your daily life.
Liability evidence and available insurance coverage also matter. Keep bills, wage records, receipts, photographs, and notes about how your injuries affect you.
Deadlines That May Affect Your Rights
California generally gives you two years from the injury date to file a personal injury lawsuit (CCP §335.1). Missing the deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation, even if the other party caused the crash.
A much shorter deadline can apply if a public entity may be responsible. A government claim generally must be presented within six months (Government Code §911.2). Other exceptions can change the timing, so do not wait to ask for legal advice.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
An insurance adjuster may contact you soon after the Burbank crash. The adjuster may ask for a recorded statement, a signed medical authorization, or a quick settlement.
You can provide basic contact information without guessing about speed, distance, fault, or the full extent of your injuries. Be careful about signing a release because it may permanently close your claim, even if you later need more treatment.
What to Do After a Crash
- Get out of immediate danger. Move away from traffic if you can do so safely. Do not move unnecessarily if you may have a serious head, neck, or back injury.
- Call 911. Ask for medical help and report the collision.
- Get medical care. Tell your providers that a vehicle hit you and describe every symptom. Follow through with recommended treatment.
- Get the driver's information. Collect the driver's name, contact details, license information, vehicle information, and insurance details if you can.
- Preserve evidence. Photograph the area, vehicle, visible injuries, clothing, traffic controls, and anything else that may help show what happened.
- Find witnesses. Ask for names and contact information. Do not assume someone else will record them.
- Save your records. Keep medical documents, bills, receipts, work records, insurance letters, damaged belongings, and a written log of your symptoms.
- Be cautious with insurers and social media. Do not speculate about fault, sign documents you do not understand, or post details that could be taken out of context.
- Speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer. A lawyer can identify deadlines, preserve evidence, deal with insurers, and assess who may be responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I see a doctor if I feel okay after being hit?
Yes, you should consider prompt medical evaluation because some injuries may not be clear right away. Medical records also document your symptoms and connect your treatment to the crash.
What if I was outside a crosswalk?
You may still have a claim. California's comparative negligence rule allows recovery even when an injured pedestrian shares responsibility, but any award may be reduced according to that person's percentage of fault.
Should I talk to the driver's insurance company?
You should be careful. You do not have to guess, accept blame, or provide a recorded statement before getting legal advice, and you should not sign a release without understanding its effect.
What if the driver left the scene?
Call 911 and share every detail you remember about the vehicle, driver, and direction of travel. Preserve photographs and witness information, and check whether your own insurance policy may provide applicable coverage.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian injury claim?
California's general deadline for a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the injury date (CCP §335.1). A public-entity claim generally has a six-month presentation deadline (Government Code §911.2), and other rules may alter your time limit.
Can I recover lost income?
Lost income and reduced earning ability may be part of a pedestrian accident claim when supported by evidence. Save pay records, work schedules, employer communications, and medical restrictions showing why you could not work.
What if a family member died after being hit by a car?
Certain surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim under California law. Because eligibility and deadlines matter, seek legal advice promptly and preserve insurance letters, medical records, and other crash-related documents.
If you were hit by a car in Burbank, Hollywood Injury Law Center — Bash & Polyachenko P.C. can review what happened and explain your options. Call (323) 850-0101 for a free consultation.
Intersection Crash Data — Burbank
| Intersection | Crashes | Injuries | Fatalities | Data Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victory Place at Burbank Boulevard | about 50 | — | — | 2015–2020 | City of Burbank collision data as reported by myburbank.com — SECONDARY SOURCE, confirm against the City's own published traffic data before relying on the counts |
| Olive Avenue at Buena Vista Street | about 45 | — | — | 2015–2020 | City of Burbank collision data as reported by myburbank.com — SECONDARY SOURCE, confirm against the City's own published traffic data |
| Buena Vista Street at Victory Boulevard | about 41 | — | — | 2015–2020 | City of Burbank collision data as reported by myburbank.com — SECONDARY SOURCE, confirm against the City's own published traffic data |
- Victory Place at Burbank Boulevard: Burbank's highest-collision intersection over the study period.
- Olive Avenue at Buena Vista Street: Second-highest collision count in the city over the same period.
- Buena Vista Street at Victory Boulevard: Third-highest collision count in the city over the same period.
Where the case would be filed
Burbank Courthouse, 300 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502
Burbank
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I see a doctor if I feel okay after being hit?
Yes, you should consider prompt medical evaluation because some injuries may not be clear right away. Medical records also document your symptoms and connect your treatment to the crash.
What if I was outside a crosswalk?
You may still have a claim. California's comparative negligence rule allows recovery even when an injured pedestrian shares responsibility, but any award may be reduced according to that person's percentage of fault.
Should I talk to the driver's insurance company?
You should be careful. You do not have to guess, accept blame, or provide a recorded statement before getting legal advice, and you should not sign a release without understanding its effect.
What if the driver left the scene?
Call 911 and share every detail you remember about the vehicle, driver, and direction of travel. Preserve photographs and witness information, and check whether your own insurance policy may provide applicable coverage.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian injury claim?
California's general deadline for a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the injury date (CCP §335.1). A public-entity claim generally has a six-month presentation deadline (Government Code §911.2), and other rules may alter your time limit.
Can I recover lost income?
Lost income and reduced earning ability may be part of a pedestrian accident claim when supported by evidence. Save pay records, work schedules, employer communications, and medical restrictions showing why you could not work.
What if a family member died after being hit by a car?
Certain surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim under California law. Because eligibility and deadlines matter, seek legal advice promptly and preserve insurance letters, medical records, and other crash-related documents.
This page is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Hollywood Injury Law Center — Bash & Polyachenko P.C. is licensed to practice in California.