Have you or someone you care about been hit by a car while walking in Burbank? You’re probably dealing with more questions than answers, especially when it comes to who pays for your medical bills, missed work, or long-term care. The insurance process after a pedestrian accident isn’t always clear, and the fine print can get confusing fast.
If you're looking for clarity, this guide breaks down how pedestrian insurance works in California, what steps to take next, and how the best Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Burbank, CA can help you navigate your claim.
Why This Matters - Pedestrian Injuries Are Rising in California
Pedestrian crashes are not rare events in California, and Burbank is part of that picture. Each year, thousands of people walking along streets and crosswalks in this state are hit by vehicles, often while simply going to work, school, or running errands.
Recent national data shows that in the United States, thousands of pedestrians lose their lives in traffic crashes every year, and many more walk away with serious injuries that change daily routines and income. California consistently ranks near the top for pedestrian deaths, and the Los Angeles area, including Burbank, has some of the highest numbers in the country.
When a person in a vehicle is involved in a crash, the car offers at least some physical protection. A person on foot does not have that buffer, so injuries after a pedestrian hit by a car often involve broken bones, head injuries, or long-term pain. This is why understanding pedestrian insurance, coverage options, and legal rights matters so much for anyone who walks in Burbank, CA.
What Insurance Pays First After a Pedestrian Crash
After a pedestrian hit by a car in Burbank, one of the first questions is usually, “Who is going to pay for this?” The answer often starts with the driver’s auto insurance, but the full picture depends on how fault is decided and what coverage exists for everyone involved.
In most cases, the first place a claim is made is the at-fault driver’s auto liability insurance. That coverage is meant to pay for harm caused to others, including pedestrians. The right to recover through that policy depends on who is found responsible for the crash and how the facts line up with California law.
From there, the law allows a claim for several types of losses, not just immediate medical bills. A pedestrian may seek:
- The driver’s auto liability insurance is usually the first source of payment if the driver caused the crash
- Your right to recover depends on fault
- You can claim:
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- Economic damages (medical bills, lost income)
- Non-economic damages (pain, stress, loss of normal life)
- Policy limits can cap what you get, even if your injuries are severe
Even when fault is clear, insurance is not an unlimited pot of money. Every policy has limits, and once those limits are reached, the insurer is not required to pay more, even if the pedestrian’s medical needs continue for months or years. This is where it becomes important to understand all possible insurance options and, when needed, to speak with the Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Burbank, CA to review coverage and strategy before agreeing to a settlement.
Primary Source of Coverage: Driver’s Auto Liability Insurance
After a pedestrian hit by a car in Burbank, most people just want to know who will pay for medical treatment and lost time from work. The starting point in most cases is the driver’s auto liability insurance, because that policy exists to cover harm caused to others.
Insurance companies look closely at what happened before agreeing to pay, so the story told by the evidence matters a lot. Clear proof of what occurred can make the process smoother and help support full compensation for injuries and other losses.
In many pedestrian insurance claims, coverage works like this:
- When the driver is at fault, the driver’s liability coverage should pay for your losses
- Insurance companies look at the scene, statements, and medical records to decide responsibility
- This is where most pedestrian claims start and often settle if liability is clear
Even when the process starts with the at-fault driver’s policy, that coverage does not always match the real impact of serious injuries. Policy limits, gaps in documentation, or disputes about what happened can all affect what ends up in a final settlement. This is one reason why careful handling of a claim and early guidance from a knowledgeable pedestrian accident attorney in Burbank, CA can make a real difference.
Secondary Coverage Options If the Driver’s Insurance Isn’t Enough
When the driver’s insurance is not enough to cover all medical care, lost income, and ongoing needs, the situation can feel unfair. The good news is that other forms of insurance may step in, and those options often go unused simply because people do not know they exist.
Secondary coverage can help fill the gaps, especially in cases with serious injuries or low policy limits. Understanding these options helps protect long-term health and finances, rather than accepting less than what the law allows.
Some of the most common secondary coverage options include:
- Your UM/UIM coverage can apply even though you were walking
- MedPay (if you have it) may help with early medical costs regardless of fault
- Health insurance usually covers treatment first, but may seek reimbursement later
- Other possible sources:
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- Work-related coverage if you were on the job
- Property/business policy if unsafe premises contributed
Each of these coverages works a little differently and may come with its own rules and deadlines. A careful review of all available policies can uncover sources of support that ease the financial strain after a pedestrian crash in Burbank.
The Claims Process in Real Life
The claims process after a pedestrian hit by a car seldom feels simple, especially when pain, appointments, and bills all show up at once. A clear, step-by-step approach can reduce stress and help avoid mistakes that might hurt the claim later.
From the first medical visit to the final negotiation, every record and decision can affect the outcome. Knowing what to do, and in what order, helps keep control of the process instead of letting the insurance company dictate every step.
In a typical pedestrian claim, the process often looks like this:
- Get medical care right away and keep records
- Report the crash and gather:
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- Driver info
- Witnesses
- Photos and nearby camera locations
- File the liability claim and submit proof of injuries and fault
- The insurer investigates, then negotiations start
- A lawsuit may be needed if:
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- The offer is unfair
- Fault is disputed
- Insurance limits are too low
Each stage is a chance to build a stronger claim, from early medical documentation to careful communication with the insurer. With the right support and a clear plan, it becomes easier to stay focused on healing while also protecting legal rights and financial stability.
Fault Rules That Can Change Your Compensation
Fault rules can have a big impact on how much money actually reaches you after a pedestrian crash in Burbank. Even when it feels clear what happened, insurance companies often focus on fault to reduce what is paid.
California uses a system called pure comparative fault, which means the law looks at how much each person contributed to the crash instead of placing all the blame on just one side.
- California follows pure comparative fault
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- You can still recover even if you share blame
- Your compensation is reduced by your % of fault
- Insurers often try to shift blame (e.g., jaywalking, distracted walking), so evidence matters
This system can help because it allows recovery even if some responsibility is placed on the pedestrian. At the same time, it also gives insurance companies a reason to argue that a higher percentage of fault belongs to the person who was walking, which can lower a payout and makes strong evidence especially important.
How Much Can You Recover in a Pedestrian Injury Claim?
Most people want to know not just whether a claim exists, but what it may actually cover. A pedestrian crash often affects health, income, and daily life, so it is important to look at the full picture, not just immediate medical bills.
The law in California recognizes both financial losses and the human side of an injury. A claim may include:
- Economic damages: medical bills, rehab, lost wages, future treatment
- Non-economic damages: pain & suffering, loss of enjoyment, emotional distress
Every pedestrian case is different, and settlements can range widely based on the facts and injuries involved.
- Settlements can vary widely:
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- Minor injuries: $15,000–$75,000
- Moderate: $75,000–$250,000
- Catastrophic: $300,000–$1M+
- Your payout depends on:
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- Severity of injury
- Fault split
- Insurance limits
- Documentation strength
These numbers are not guarantees, but they help show why careful documentation and good guidance matter. Strong medical records, clear proof of what happened, and a full understanding of future needs can make a real difference in what a pedestrian hit by a car in Burbank, CA may recover.
Common Pitfalls That Can Kill or Reduce Your Claim
After a crash, it is easy to focus only on pain, appointments, and day-to-day challenges. In that process, certain choices can quietly weaken a claim, even when the pedestrian did nothing wrong on the day of the crash.
Insurance companies look closely for gaps and mistakes that can be used to argue for a lower payout. Being aware of these common pitfalls helps protect the value of the claim from the very beginning.
- Delaying treatment or having gaps in care
- Giving a recorded statement without legal advice
- Accepting quick settlements before you know the full injury impact
- Failing to document pain, losses, or lost work
Avoiding these missteps keeps the focus on the harm that actually occurred, not on technical points that can be used against the injured person. Good records, steady treatment, and careful communication with insurers support a stronger pedestrian insurance claim in Burbank.
Don’t Let a Pedestrian Crash in Burbank Define Your Future - Take Action Now
A pedestrian crash can change plans, routines, and peace of mind, but it does not have to control every part of the future. When a person understands how insurance works in Burbank and what rights exist, it becomes easier to make informed decisions instead of reacting to pressure from insurance companies.
Acting early, collecting strong evidence, and getting guidance from someone who handles these cases every day can help protect health, income, and long-term stability. Multiple insurance policies may be available, and the goal is to use them in a way that reflects the full impact of the injury, not just what an insurer wants to pay.
For personalized help after a pedestrian hit by a car in Burbank, contact Law Offices Of Adrianos Facchetti at (626) 793-8607 to discuss options and next steps.
