A moment can change everything. For John Doe, that moment came while he was simply crossing the street.
John was walking across Franklin Avenue in Los Angeles, using a marked crosswalk, when a driver named Leviton struck him with a 2010 Lexus RX 350. Leviton was traveling faster than the posted speed limit when he hit John in the crosswalk, leaving him with injuries that would change the course of his life.
A Catastrophic Injury
The force of the impact caused John to suffer severe traumatic brain injuries, including multiple skull fractures and bleeding inside his skull. He also suffered a collapsed lung. John was placed in a coma, and doctors performed several surgeries to reconstruct his skull. He remained hospitalized for more than a month while he fought to recover.
Injuries like these don't just affect a single moment — they affect everything that comes after: weeks of uncertainty for a family at a hospital bedside, a long road of surgeries and rehabilitation, and a recovery with no guaranteed outcome.
Today, John has made a remarkable recovery, considering the severity of what he went through. His case, however, is a sobering reminder of how quickly a routine walk across the street can turn into a fight for survival when a driver isn't paying attention to the road — or isn't following the speed limit.
Holding the Driver Accountable
Pedestrians in a marked crosswalk have the right of way. When a driver exceeds the speed limit and strikes someone lawfully crossing the street, that driver can, and should, be held accountable for the harm they cause.
In John's case, Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn worked to establish that Leviton's excessive speed was a direct cause of the collision and the catastrophic injuries that followed. Speeding doesn't just increase the odds of a crash happening — it also increases the force of impact, which is often the difference between a minor injury and a life-threatening one.
The Result
The case was settled for $2.5 million, providing John with resources to support his continued recovery and account for the impact this crash has had on his life.
Case results depend on the unique facts and circumstances of each case. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.
If You've Been Struck as a Pedestrian
No one expects to be hit by a car while walking across the street. If it happens to you or someone you love, a few steps can help protect both your health and your legal rights:
Call 911 and get medical attention right away, even if injuries aren't immediately obvious.
Document the scene — photos of the crosswalk, vehicle position, and any visible injuries can matter later.
Get contact information from the driver and any witnesses.
Talk to a pedestrian accident attorney before speaking with an insurance company about your claim.
Our pedestrian accident attorneys have recovered significant compensation for people struck while walking, running, or crossing the street across the Bay Area and beyond. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident, contact Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn
today for a free consultation at (415) 940-7176.
