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Concussions After a Canoga Park Pedestrian Accident: How Common Are They and What Are They Worth?

Walking through Canoga Park, whether you are crossing at a busy intersection like Sherman Way and Topanga Canyon Boulevard or simply navigating a parking lot, should not be a life-altering event. Yet for a pedestrian, one moment of driver negligence can lead to devastating injuries. Among the most common and misunderstood of these injuries is a concussion, a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can have lasting consequences.

Pedestrians have no protection against the force of a multi-ton vehicle. Even a low-speed collision can cause the head to whip back and forth or strike the pavement, leading to a concussion. At Walch Law, we have represented countless pedestrians in the San Fernando Valley who have suffered these invisible injuries and would love to help you during this difficult time. Fill out our contact form or give us a call at 1-844-999-5342 today.

The High Risk of Concussions for Pedestrians

When a pedestrian is hit by a car, they are completely exposed. There is no steel frame, no airbag, and no seatbelt to absorb the impact. The brain, which floats inside the skull, is violently shaken, causing it to collide with the inside of the cranium. This can happen from the initial impact with the vehicle and again in a secondary impact when the pedestrian is thrown to the ground.

You do not need to lose consciousness or even hit your head directly to sustain a concussion. The rapid acceleration and deceleration forces alone are enough to cause injury.

Common Symptoms of a Concussion

A concussion disrupts how your brain normally works. The symptoms can be subtle or severe, and they do not always appear immediately. It is critical to watch for signs in the hours and days following an accident:

  • Physical Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light and noise, balance problems, and fatigue.
  • Cognitive Symptoms: Feeling “foggy” or dazed, difficulty with concentration and memory, confusion, and slowed-down thinking.
  • Emotional Symptoms: Irritability, sadness, anxiety, and sudden mood changes.
  • Sleep-Related Symptoms: Drowsiness, sleeping more or less than usual, and difficulty falling asleep.

Because many of these symptoms are not outwardly visible, it is easy for victims to dismiss them or try to “tough it out.” This is a dangerous mistake. An untreated concussion can lead to more serious, long-term complications.

The Importance of Prompt Medical Care

If you suspect you have a concussion, you must seek medical care within 24 to 48 hours. An emergency room or urgent care visit is crucial for two reasons:

  1. To Rule Out Serious Injury: A doctor can rule out a more severe brain bleed (like a subdural hematoma) that could be life-threatening.
  2. To Create a Medical Record: This visit creates the official link between the pedestrian accident and your brain injury, which is essential for any legal claim.

It is important to know that a CT scan or MRI is often normal after a concussion. These imaging tests are designed to detect structural injuries like bleeding or fractures, not the microscopic disruption that defines a concussion. A diagnosis is “clinical,” meaning it is based on your history of the event and your documented symptoms. You will likely be referred to a neurologist or a concussion specialist for follow-up care.

What Determines the Value of a Canoga Park Pedestrian Concussion Case?

Just as every injury is different, the settlement value of every Canoga Park concussion claim is unique. It is not based on a simple formula. Instead, it is determined by a range of factors that demonstrate the full extent of your harm and losses.

Factors That Drive Settlement Value:

  • Symptom Severity and Duration: A concussion that resolves in a few weeks is valued very differently from one that results in Persistent Post-Concussive Syndrome (PCS), where symptoms last for months or even years.
  • Objective Medical Evidence: While imaging may be normal, a diagnosis from a neurologist and objective findings from neuropsychological testing (which measures cognitive deficits) provide powerful proof of injury.
  • Therapy and Treatment Needs: The need for specialized therapies, such as vestibular therapy for balance issues, vision therapy for tracking problems, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for mood changes, significantly increases the value of a claim.
  • Impact on Work and School: The amount of time you are forced to miss from work or school is a major component of your economic damages.
  • Psychological Impact: A diagnosis of accident-related PTSD or anxiety requiring therapy adds significant value to your claim.
  • Compounding Injuries: A concussion rarely happens in isolation. Pedestrian accidents often involve facial fractures, broken bones, and deep lacerations, all of which contribute to the overall case value.

Illustrative Settlement Ranges for Concussion Injuries

Disclaimer: These ranges are for informational purposes only and are based on our experience with past California cases. They are not a guarantee of your case’s value. A thorough investigation is required to determine a precise valuation.

  • Uncomplicated Concussion (Resolving in 4–8 weeks): This typically involves an ER visit, a few follow-up appointments, and a brief period of missed work.
    • Illustrative Range: $25,000 – $75,000
  • Concussion with Ongoing Symptoms (3–6+ months): This involves more significant symptoms requiring specialized therapies (e.g., vestibular, vision) and a longer period of disruption to work and daily life.
    • Illustrative Range: $75,000 – $250,000
  • Persistent Post-Concussive Syndrome (PCS) (12+ months): This involves long-term, documented cognitive, vestibular, or psychological deficits that may permanently impact a person’s life and ability to work.
    • Illustrative Range: $250,000 – $600,000+

These values can increase substantially when combined with other serious orthopedic or facial injuries.

A Canoga Park Pedestrian’s Checklist After an Accident

What you do immediately after being hit by a car can protect your health and your legal rights.

  • Call 911: Request police and paramedics. Ensure a Traffic Collision Report is created by the LAPD Valley Traffic Division or CHP.
  • Seek Medical Care Immediately: Go to the ER or an urgent care clinic within 24 hours. Report all symptoms, especially headache, dizziness, or confusion.
  • Document the Scene: If you are able, take photos and videos of the location, the vehicle, any crosswalks or traffic signals, and your injuries.
  • Identify Cameras: Look for nearby businesses on streets like Topanga Canyon or Sherman Way that may have security cameras that captured the incident.
  • Get Witness Information: Ask anyone who saw the crash for their name and phone number.
  • Preserve Your Clothing and Shoes: Do not wash them. They can be important evidence.
  • Keep a Symptom Journal: Each day, write down your symptoms, pain levels, and how the injury is affecting your life.
  • Do NOT Talk to Insurance Adjusters: Politely decline to give a recorded statement to any insurance company until you have spoken with an attorney.

Understanding Negligence and Insurance Coverage

To win your case, your attorney must prove the driver was negligent. This can include speeding, distracted driving, or failing to yield the right-of-way. Even if you were crossing outside a crosswalk, California’s “Freedom to Walk Act” (AB 2147) means you are not automatically barred from recovery, though your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.

A skilled attorney will investigate all potential sources of insurance coverage, which may include:

  • The at-fault driver’s liability insurance.
  • Your own Medical Payments (Med-Pay) coverage.
  • Your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which applies even when you are a pedestrian.

Walch Law: Your Canoga Park Pedestrian Accident Advocates

Sustaining a concussion in a pedestrian accident is a serious, disorienting experience. You should not have to fight with insurance companies while trying to navigate your recovery. The dedicated team at Walch Law has been fighting for injured pedestrians in Canoga Park and the San Fernando Valley for over 45 years. We understand the medicine behind brain injuries and know how to build a case that proves the full value of your claim.

We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely no fees unless and until we win your case. Contact Walch Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how we can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. 1-844-999-5342

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