Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents in Burbank: Protecting Your Rights on Busy City Streets

Burbank is a city where people walk and bike more than many realize. Residents stroll San Fernando Boulevard’s downtown shops and restaurants, families walk to schools and parks, and commuters cross busy intersections around the Burbank Town Center and the Hollywood Burbank Airport. Cyclists use the Chandler Bikeway and the streets that feed it, while others share the road with heavy traffic on Olive Avenue, Victory Boulevard, Magnolia Boulevard, and Glenoaks Boulevard.

When a driver fails to yield, turns without looking, or opens a door into a bike lane, the person outside the vehicle has no protection. If you were hurt while walking or cycling, a Burbank personal injury lawyer can explain your rights and help you pursue the compensation you need.

Why Pedestrians and Cyclists Face Greater Risk

People on foot or on bikes have no airbags, seat belts, or steel frame. Even a low-speed collision can cause life-altering injuries. Local factors can add to the danger:

• Busy downtown crossings where drivers turn while pedestrians are in the crosswalk
• Airport-area traffic, with drivers who are unfamiliar with the streets or rushing to a terminal
• Heavy commuter volume on major boulevards and freeway on- and off-ramps
• Rideshare and delivery vehicles stopping suddenly at curbs and bike lanes
• Driveways and parking structures where drivers back out or pull in without looking
• School zones, where children and parents are walking at peak traffic times
• Low light and evening conditions, which make it harder for drivers to see people on foot or on bikes

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

• Failure to yield at crosswalks, marked or unmarked
• Unsafe right and left turns into a crosswalk
• Distracted driving, including phones and navigation apps
• Speeding
• Drunk or drugged driving
• Backing up without looking
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Poor lighting, missing crosswalks, or damaged sidewalks

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

• Dooring, when a driver or passenger opens a car door into a cyclist’s path
• Right-hook crashes, where a driver turns right across a cyclist going straight
• Left-turn collisions at intersections
• Drivers passing too closely or failing to give adequate space
• Drivers pulling out of driveways or side streets
• Blocked or poorly marked bike lanes
• Road hazards, such as potholes, debris, or uneven pavement
• Rideshare and delivery vehicles stopping in bike lanes

California Right-of-Way Rules

California law generally requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks, and unmarked crosswalks exist at most intersections even when no lines are painted. Drivers must also use due care to avoid hitting pedestrians anywhere on the road.

Bicycles are generally treated as vehicles under California law. Cyclists have the same rights and many of the same duties as drivers. Drivers must also give cyclists a safe passing distance under state law. Because the details of traffic rules can matter a great deal in fault disputes, an attorney should review the specific facts of your crash.

Fault and Shared Responsibility

Insurers often argue that a pedestrian crossed unsafely or that a cyclist was not visible or was riding improperly. The facts that usually matter most include:

• The traffic signal or signs at the location
• Whether the person was in a crosswalk or a bike lane
• The driver’s speed and attention
• Lighting and visibility
• The timing and distance between the vehicle and the person

California follows pure comparative negligence. If you are found partly at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but you can still recover. For example, if you are found 20% at fault for a $200,000 loss, you could still recover $160,000. Insurers often try to inflate the injured person’s share of blame, so evidence is important.

Common Injuries

• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions, including in cyclists who were wearing helmets
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones, especially hips, legs, pelvis, and collarbones
• Internal injuries and bleeding
• Severe road rash and scarring
• Soft-tissue injuries
• Emotional trauma, including anxiety about walking or riding near traffic

Some symptoms appear hours or days later. See a doctor promptly, even if you feel fine.

What to Do After a Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident

1. Call 911 and request police and medical help.
2. Get medical attention right away, even if you think your injuries are minor.
3. Report the crash and make sure the responding agency files a report.
4. Photograph everything: the vehicle and its plate, the crosswalk or bike lane, signals, signs, road conditions, your injuries, and damage to your bike or belongings.
5. Keep your bike, helmet, and clothing in their current condition. Do not repair or discard them yet.
6. Get the driver’s information, including insurance details, and collect witness contact information.
7. Do not admit fault or apologize.
8. Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
9. Follow your treatment plan and keep all medical records and bills.
10. Contact a lawyer early, since surveillance and dash-cam video can be overwritten quickly.

Hit-and-Run and Uninsured Driver Crashes

Some drivers flee the scene, and others have little or no insurance. You may still have options, such as your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which in many situations can apply to pedestrians and cyclists. Policies often have prompt reporting requirements, so notify your insurer and the police as soon as you can and have the policy reviewed.

Who May Be Responsible?

• The driver who caused the crash
• An employer or company, if the driver was working, such as a delivery driver or rideshare driver
• A vehicle owner, in some circumstances
• A property owner or business, if a driveway, parking structure, or walkway was unsafe
• A government entity, if a dangerous road condition, missing crosswalk, or malfunctioning signal contributed
• A maintenance contractor or manufacturer, in cases involving defective equipment or poor upkeep

Claims Against Government Entities

If a road defect, signal problem, or poorly designed crossing played a role, a city, county, or state agency may share responsibility. Claims against public entities follow special rules, and a written claim generally must be filed within six months of the incident. Tell your attorney early if you suspect a roadway issue.

Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Claim

• The police report and any citations
• Surveillance video from businesses and homes
• Dash-cam footage from other vehicles
• Photos of the scene, signage, and sight lines
• Witness statements
• Vehicle event data recorder information
• The damaged bike, helmet, and gear
• Medical records and bills
• Employment records showing lost income

Video is often erased within days or weeks, so early action matters.

Compensation You May Be Able to Recover

• Medical expenses: emergency care, surgery, therapy, and future treatment
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Property damage, such as a bike, phone, or glasses
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members, if the crash was fatal

Deadlines to Keep in Mind

• Personal injury lawsuits: generally two years from the date of the accident
• Property damage claims: generally three years
• Claims against government entities: generally six months for the initial claim
• Wrongful death claims: generally two years from the date of death
• Insurance policy notice requirements, such as under UM/UIM coverage, may be shorter

Exceptions may apply, including for minors, but do not rely on them.

Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Claim

• Skipping medical care because you feel okay
• Repairing or discarding your bike or helmet before it is documented
• Admitting fault or apologizing at the scene
• Giving a recorded statement to an insurer without advice
• Posting about the crash or your activities on social media
• Accepting a quick settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known
• Waiting too long to consult an attorney

How a Burbank Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

An experienced attorney can:

• Investigate the crash and gather police reports, photos, and video
• Send preservation letters for time-sensitive evidence
• Work with accident reconstruction and medical experts
• Identify every responsible party and applicable insurance policy, including your own coverage
• Calculate the full value of your current and future losses
• Handle insurers and negotiate for a fair settlement
• File suit and take your case to trial if necessary

Many personal injury firms work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you typically pay no attorney fees unless you recover compensation. Confirm the terms during your consultation.

Hurt While Walking or Biking in Burbank? Get Answers

You should not have to pay for an injury caused by a driver who did not look, yield, or slow down. If you were hurt as a pedestrian or cyclist in Burbank or elsewhere in the San Fernando Valley, contact a Burbank personal injury lawyer to talk through what happened and learn what options may be available.