How long do I have to file a Long Beach pedestrian accident claim?

Against a private driver, California generally allows two years from the date of the crash under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. But if a city, transit agency, or other public entity may be at fault, Government Code section 911.2 usually requires a written claim within six months. Because that deadline is so short, it is important to consult a lawyer right away.

How much is my Long Beach pedestrian accident case worth?

There is no fixed amount. Value depends on the seriousness of your injuries, your medical and future care costs, lost wages, the long-term impact on your life, and available insurance. Each case is unique, and no lawyer can ethically promise a specific result.

What if a city street or signal contributed to my pedestrian accident?

When crosswalk design, signal timing, or a government vehicle plays a role, a public entity may share responsibility. These claims require a written government claim under Government Code section 911.2, usually within six months. We evaluate public-entity involvement early so deadlines are not missed.

Do I have to go to court for a pedestrian accident case?

Often not. Many pedestrian claims resolve through negotiation with the driver's insurer or the responsible entity. If a fair settlement is not reached, we are prepared to file suit and pursue the case in court.

Which courthouse handles Long Beach pedestrian accident cases?

Long Beach pedestrian cases are handled within the Los Angeles County Superior Court, commonly at the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse in downtown Long Beach. The exact assignment depends on the case and court rules.

How much does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer?

MMG Law Firm works on contingency, so there is no upfront cost and no fee unless we win. The consultation is free and offered in English, Armenian, and Russian.

Long Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

A person on foot has no protection against a moving vehicle, so even a low-speed strike in a downtown crosswalk can cause life-altering injuries. If a driver hit you or someone you love near Pine Avenue, the waterfront, or a busy Long Beach Boulevard intersection, the medical bills and lost time can pile up fast while the driver's insurer looks for reasons to blame you. MMG Law Firm protects injured pedestrians and fights to put fault where it belongs.

Pedestrian Accidents matters in Long Beach

Long Beach is one of the most walkable cities in the region, and that is exactly why pedestrian collisions are a serious problem here. Downtown foot traffic around Pine Avenue, the crowds drawn to the Convention Center and the Aquarium of the Pacific, the strolling pace of Belmont Shore, and the long, busy run of Long Beach Boulevard all put large numbers of people on foot near fast-moving cars. When drivers fail to yield, the people who pay the price are the ones with no metal around them.

These cases often turn on right-of-way and on the driver's duty to watch for people in and near crosswalks, including unmarked ones at intersections.

Where pedestrian crashes cluster in Long Beach

Downtown crosswalks and intersections along Pine Avenue
Pedestrian-heavy zones near the Convention Center and Aquarium
Belmont Shore foot traffic crossing Second Street
Wide, high-volume crossings along Long Beach Boulevard
Drivers turning across crosswalks without yielding

The crosswalk right-of-way law

Under California Vehicle Code section 21950, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Pedestrians also have a duty to use reasonable care, but the law places a clear obligation on drivers to slow down and watch for people on foot. When a driver violates section 21950, that failure can be powerful evidence of negligence.

A special deadline when a government entity is involved

Many Long Beach pedestrian crashes involve factors like crosswalk design, signal timing, or a city or transit vehicle. If a public entity may share responsibility, California Government Code section 911.2 generally requires a written claim to be filed with that entity within six months of the incident, far sooner than the standard lawsuit deadline. Missing this short window can bar a claim against the government, so it is critical to evaluate public-entity involvement early.

Injuries and what compensation may cover

Pedestrian victims often suffer broken bones, head and brain injuries, spinal damage, and internal injuries. California applies pure comparative negligence, so an injured pedestrian can recover even if partly at fault, with the award reduced by their share. A claim may seek economic damages like medical care, future treatment, and lost income, along with non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. No specific outcome can be promised.

Deadlines, the courthouse, and how we help

For claims against a private driver, California generally allows two years to file suit under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, while public-entity claims follow the much shorter Government Code section 911.2 schedule. Long Beach pedestrian cases are handled through the Los Angeles County Superior Court, often at the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse downtown. From our Glendale office, about 25 miles away, attorney Mihran M. Ghazaryan investigates quickly, identifies every responsible party, and deals with insurers and public entities for you. Consultations are free and available in English, Armenian, and Russian, and we work on contingency, so there is no fee unless we win.

How Mihran M. Ghazaryan helps with pedestrian accidents

Pedestrian injuries are usually severe, and the right-of-way analysis is everything. Mihran M. Ghazaryan investigates the crosswalk, signal timing, and roadway conditions, and where a city vehicle or dangerous public road is involved he protects the short six-month government-claim deadline that can otherwise end a case before it starts. He coordinates your care and documents the full extent of your losses.

Types of pedestrian accidents we handle

Crosswalk strikes

Marked or unmarked, California pedestrians retain right-of-way. We identify the sight-line failures and signal timing that tell the real story.

Parking-lot and back-over collisions

Often involve fleet vehicles, rideshare drivers, or delivery contractors. Surveillance footage matters and disappears fast.

Hit-and-run pedestrian claims

Your own UM/UIM policy may reach. Even when the driver is unidentified, recovery is often possible.

What compensation can cover

Every pedestrian accident claim is different, but California law allows injured plaintiffs to seek several categories of damages. We build each one with documentation — medical records, wage statements, expert opinions — so nothing is left on the table.

Medical expenses

Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and the future treatment your providers say you'll need.

Lost wages

Income you lost while recovering — and, where the injury affects your ability to work, diminished future earning capacity.

Pain and suffering

Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the ways the injury has changed how you live day to day.

Property damage

Repair or replacement of your vehicle and other property damaged in the incident.

Out-of-pocket costs

Transportation to appointments, medical equipment, household help, and the other expenses an injury forces on you.

How we work

Free, no-pressure consultation

We listen first. We answer your questions. There is no fee for the initial conversation — and you decide whether to engage us at the end of it.

Investigation and evidence preservation

Police reports, scene photos, witness statements, vehicle data, surveillance video, medical records. The earlier we collect, the harder it is for the other side to reshape the story later.

Treatment, demand, and negotiation

We coordinate with your providers, document the full extent of damages — medical, lost income, pain — and present a demand backed by evidence. We push back firmly when an insurer lowballs.

Litigation when necessary

Most matters settle. When an insurer refuses to be reasonable, we file. Preparing every case as if it will be tried is what makes the settlement number move.

What to do right away

Accept emergency medical evaluation on scene, even if you can walk.

Take photos of the location — crosswalk, signs, signals — and the vehicle's resting position.

Get witness names; pedestrian witnesses are common but rarely contacted by police.

Save the clothing you were wearing — it may be evidence.

Call us before giving any statement.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.