California Laws Regarding Pedestrian Accidents
The California pedestrian crosswalk and pedestrian laws define appropriate times and places for pedestrians to cross the road. They also define where drivers must stop for people walking on foot to prevent pedestrians being hit by cars.
Pedestrian Crosswalk Laws
There are two types of pedestrian crossings for people to walk when they need to cross a street safely:
- Intersections. Intersections are part of the road where sidewalks from two different streets meet at approximate right angles, except for alleys intersecting the road.
- Crosswalk. A marked crosswalk in a part of the road with lines or markings that indicate a place where people can cross the street.
Drivers must use caution and yield to pedestrians who have the right of way when crossing at marked or unmarked crosswalks. Those in vehicles must also use reasonable care to prevent injury to pedestrians, such as keeping alert to their surroundings and looking for other vehicles and people.
Pedestrians are legally obligated to walk safely on a crosswalk. If there are traffic signals or police officers at the intersection, pedestrians must follow their signals when walking a crosswalk. When a vehicle is already in the crosswalk, pedestrians have to wait until it passes before crossing.
California’s Jaywalking Law
Jaywalking refers to crossing the street outside a signaled intersection or a crosswalk. Under the Freedom to Walk Act, fines for pedestrians crossing the street are now limited to crossing the street if there is a chance of collision with a vehicle.
For instance, police officers cannot fine pedestrians for breaking certain jaywalking laws, such as crossing the road when the traffic signal is green and there are oncoming vehicles. The new law only allows police officers to issue citations to pedestrians if they believe their actions could cause an immediate accident.
California’s pedestrian crosswalk laws and drivers’ legal responsibilities can make determining who is at fault difficult. A pedestrian accident attorney from The Shirvanian Law Firm can examine the evidence and help determine liability according to road laws applicable to pedestrians and drivers.
Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents
In 2020, Los Angeles accounted for the most pedestrian deaths in car accidents in the United States. If drivers fail to check for pedestrians before turning or traveling through an intersection, they can be liable for the pedestrians’ injuries. A driver may cause a pedestrian accident for a variety of reasons, including:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving, such as texting or eating behind the wheel
- Failure to yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Speeding
These accidents can result in pedestrian injuries requiring ongoing medical care and rehabilitation. Common pedestrian accident injuries involve:
- Muscle strain: A doctor will treat you with pain medication and bed rest if you have suffered a muscle strain. You might need surgery if you have suffered a severe muscle injury like a torn tendon or muscle.
- Bone fractures: Bone fractures can occur in the back, hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, and legs. Bone fractures will need surgery to re-align, and in severe cases or if the bone is not healing correctly, bone grafting may be necessary.
- Traumatic brain injuries: If you or a loved one suffer a serious head injury, you may suffer various chronic health issues such as seizures, infections, and pneumonia. You may also need lifelong rehabilitation services to help you live a better quality of life.
A pedestrian accident attorney from The Shirvanian Law Firm can help you recover the damages you suffered after an accident with a vehicle. They will determine the steps you can take to protect your right to compensation and provide you with legal guidance throughout the claims process, ensuring you receive the best possible outcome for your case.
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