Torrance Pedestrian Accident Lawyer | Law Offices of Asher Hoffman

Pedestrian Accident Attorney Serving Torrance, California

Walking in Torrance should be safe. But the city’s wide arterials, high-speed commercial corridors, and busy retail districts make pedestrians some of the most vulnerable people on its streets. Intersections along Hawthorne Boulevard, Western Avenue, and Pacific Coast Highway see pedestrian-vehicle conflicts daily. Del Amo Fashion Center and surrounding commercial zones generate heavy pedestrian traffic that mixes with vehicle access and egress from parking structures. Crosswalks along Torrance Boulevard and Carson Street are regularly used by residents who lack safe passage from curb to curb.

When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian in Torrance, the injuries are almost always serious – and the legal fight against the at-fault driver’s insurer begins immediately. The Law Offices of Asher Hoffman represents pedestrian accident victims throughout the South Bay. Founding attorney Asher Hoffman handles every case personally, advances all costs, and charges no fee unless your case resolves in your favor.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

Where Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Torrance

• Hawthorne Boulevard crosswalks. This major north-south arterial has multiple signalized crosswalks where pedestrians are struck by turning vehicles or drivers who run red lights.
• Pacific Coast Highway. PCH’s speed and volume create extreme pedestrian risk near the Torrance coastal strip, where foot traffic from beach access points and restaurants intersects with fast-moving through traffic.
• Del Amo area. Heavy commercial and retail traffic near the mall creates frequent low-speed pedestrian conflicts in parking lots and at unsignalized crossings.
• Torrance Transit hub areas. Bus stop environments on Crenshaw Boulevard, Western Avenue, and Torrance Boulevard involve pedestrians crossing multiple lanes of traffic to reach transit stops.
• School zones. Streets near West Torrance High School, South High School, and other campus zones generate pedestrian risk during school arrival and dismissal hours.

California Pedestrian Law: What Torrance Victims Need to Know

Right-of-way law. California Vehicle Code section 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and in unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Section 21955 prohibits pedestrians from crossing between adjacent intersections against a signal – but even jaywalking pedestrians struck by a negligent driver can recover under California’s comparative fault rules, with their recovery reduced by their percentage of fault.

Hit-and-run law. California Vehicle Code section 20001 makes it a felony for a driver involved in an accident causing injury to fail to stop and provide assistance. Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents are prosecuted aggressively in Los Angeles County – and victims may have access to UM/UIM coverage under their own auto policy even though they were on foot.

Statute of limitations. You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under CCP section 335.1. If the responsible party is a public entity – the City of Torrance, the County, or Caltrans – a six-month government tort claim must be filed first under Government Code section 911.2.

Comparative fault. Even if you were partially at fault – walking against a signal, crossing outside a crosswalk – you can still recover under California’s pure comparative fault rule.

Injuries in Torrance Pedestrian Accidents

A pedestrian struck by a vehicle has no protection. The injuries we see in these cases include:

• Traumatic brain injuries including skull fractures, subdural hematomas, and diffuse axonal injury
• Spinal cord injuries, which can result in permanent partial or complete paralysis
• Multiple fractures including femur, pelvis, tibia, and upper extremity fractures
• Internal organ injuries from direct impact with the vehicle or the road surface
• Severe lacerations and road rash
• Knee, hip, and ankle injuries that may require multiple surgeries and long-term rehabilitation
• Psychological trauma including PTSD, depression, and anxiety

Trauma care for serious pedestrian injuries in Torrance is provided by Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (1000 W. Carson St., Torrance), a Level I trauma center, and Torrance Memorial Medical Center (3330 Lomita Blvd., Torrance).

Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident in Torrance

• Call 911. The Torrance Police Department will respond and prepare a collision report, which is critical evidence for your claim.
• Seek immediate emergency medical care. Do not refuse treatment at the scene – adrenaline can mask serious injuries.
• If physically able, photograph the scene: the vehicle, its position, skid marks, crosswalk markings, traffic signal state, and your injuries.
• Identify witnesses and ask for their contact information.
• Do not speak with the at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster before consulting an attorney.
• Contact the Law Offices of Asher Hoffman as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.

Compensation for Torrance Pedestrian Accident Victims

• All past and future medical expenses, from emergency care through long-term rehabilitation
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage (clothing, phone, and personal items damaged in the crash)
• In-home care and assistance costs during recovery
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members when a crash proves fatal

Why Choose the Law Offices of Asher Hoffman

• Pedestrian cases demand aggressive advocacy. Insurance companies minimize pedestrian claims by questioning victim fault and injury severity. We fight back with expert evidence and trial-ready preparation.
• Direct attorney attention. Asher Hoffman handles every pedestrian accident case personally.
• No fee unless we win. We advance all costs with no upfront expense to you.

Nearby Areas We Also Serve

• Torrance Personal Injury Lawyers
• Carson Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
• Hawthorne Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
• Gardena Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
• Long Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

How We Pursue Pedestrian Accident Claims in Torrance

Pedestrian accident cases in Torrance require prompt investigation before critical evidence disappears:

• Traffic and surveillance footage. Torrance traffic cameras on major arterials and private surveillance cameras on commercial properties capture pedestrian-vehicle collisions. This footage must be preserved immediately before it is overwritten.
• Crosswalk and signal documentation. The condition and timing of crosswalk markings, pedestrian signals, and traffic control devices at the crash location are critical evidence. We document these conditions and investigate whether the City of Torrance or Caltrans has received prior notice of signal or crosswalk defects.
• Witness accounts. Witnesses at pedestrian crash scenes often disperse quickly. We work to identify and preserve witness testimony before memories fade.
• Medical documentation from day one. We connect clients with physicians who understand the documentation requirements for personal injury cases and can properly document injury causation, treatment needs, and long-term prognosis from the beginning of treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions: Torrance Pedestrian Accident Claims

What if I was partly at fault for crossing the street?
California’s pure comparative fault rule means you can recover even if you were crossing against a signal, crossing outside a crosswalk, or not paying full attention. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but it is not eliminated. In many pedestrian cases, the driver bears the majority of fault regardless of the pedestrian’s conduct.

Can I recover if I was hit by an uninsured driver while walking?
Possibly. If you have an auto insurance policy that includes uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, that coverage may extend to you as a pedestrian struck by an uninsured driver. We review every client’s own insurance policies as part of the initial case evaluation to identify all available sources of recovery.

What if the driver left the scene?
Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents are unfortunately common in the South Bay. If the driver cannot be identified, your UM coverage may provide a path to compensation. If the driver is later identified and arrested, the criminal case does not replace your civil claim – we can pursue both tracks simultaneously.

What court handles pedestrian accident cases in Torrance?
Personal injury cases arising from pedestrian accidents in Torrance are filed at the Torrance Courthouse (825 Maple Ave., Torrance). Cases involving the City of Torrance or another public entity as a defendant require prior government claim filing under Government Code section 911.2. We handle both procedural tracks.

Recovering the Full Cost of a Torrance Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrian accident recoveries should account for more than just your emergency room bill. A comprehensive recovery includes all present and future medical expenses, all wages lost during recovery and any permanent reduction in your earning capacity, the pain and suffering and diminished quality of life caused by your injuries, and in fatal cases, the full range of wrongful death damages available to surviving family members under California law.

Contact the Law Offices of Asher Hoffman today for a free consultation.

Torrance Pedestrian Accidents and Wrongful Death

When a pedestrian is killed in a traffic accident in Torrance, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death action under California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60. Eligible claimants include spouses, domestic partners, children, and other dependents. Wrongful death damages include the financial support the deceased would have provided, the loss of companionship and consortium, and funeral and burial expenses. The two-year statute of limitations under CCP section 335.1 applies to wrongful death claims arising from traffic fatalities.

If you lost a family member in a Torrance pedestrian accident, the Law Offices of Asher Hoffman can evaluate your wrongful death claim. We handle these matters with the seriousness and personal attention they deserve. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation.

Contact the Law Offices of Asher Hoffman today for a free, no-obligation consultation about your Torrance pedestrian accident case. We handle pedestrian accident cases throughout the South Bay on a pure contingency fee basis.