If a driver hit you while you were walking, you may have the right to recover money for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It depends on who was at fault and the facts of your case.
California drivers owe pedestrians a duty of care, and that duty is strong in and around crosswalks. But you have rights even if you were not in a marked crosswalk. Being outside the lines does not automatically end your claim. California is a pure comparative-fault state, so if you were partly at fault, that only reduces what you can recover. It does not erase it.
Here is what usually matters. The driver's insurance company will look for reasons to pay you less, and their adjuster is not on your side. Get your injuries documented by a doctor even if you feel okay at first, because some injuries show up days later. Keep track of your treatment and any work you miss.
Most personal injury claims in California have a two-year filing deadline under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. If a city bus or a government vehicle was involved, the deadline to file a claim can be much shorter, so do not wait.
This is general information, not legal advice, and every case is different.
Being hit while walking often overlaps with a pedestrian accident or a broader personal injury claim. If the driver took off, that becomes a hit and run matter too. Joe Crudo can walk you through your options.
Call Crudo Law at (858) 622-7280 or reach out through our contact page for a free, confidential consultation.