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A pedestrian is someone who doesn’t use a vehicle to travel in a public area. Although traveling on foot can be great exercise, it is not without its dangers. In fact, pedestrians are among the most vulnerable people on the road. With little to no protection, pedestrians who are struck by vehicles often suffer catastrophic injuries. And even though the laws are designed to protect pedestrians, motorists routinely ignore them—resulting in serious accidents and injuries. In this article, we discuss crosswalk laws and pedestrian right-of-way in California.
Crosswalk Right-of-Way Rules
A crosswalk is a portion of the road that is typically marked by two white lines that allows pedestrians to safely cross from one side to the other. If a crosswalk isn’t marked by white paint, it can be identified by two roads that meet at a right angle. Pedestrians typically have the right-of-way at all crosswalks, whether designated or undesignated. California law applies the following requirements to crosswalks:
- When approaching a crosswalk, drivers must slow down or stop to yield to pedestrians who are crossing. If the crosswalk is marked, then drivers must stop before the white line and not in the middle of the crosswalk.
- If a pedestrian is in a driver’s half of the lane or approaching quickly enough to be in harm’s way, then the driver must stop.
- Drivers are not permitted to pass vehicles that have stopped to permit pedestrians to cross at a crosswalk.
- Even if a pedestrian is at a crosswalk, he or she should not step off the curb if it is unsafe to do so.
- If a driver’s failure to yield for a pedestrian at a crosswalk results in an accident, then the driver may be liable for any resulting injuries to the pedestrian. However, if a pedestrian steps into a crosswalk when it is unsafe to do so, then he or she may share liability for any resulting accident.
Pedestrian Duties
Although pedestrians are highly vulnerable while near the road, they also have obligations when traveling on foot. For example, when crossing the road between two intersections, pedestrians are required to use a crosswalk. A pedestrian who fails to abide by this law may be cited with jaywalking, which carries a fine of up to $200. In addition, if a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle while jaywalking, then he or she may share fault for the accident, which could negatively affect his or her ability to obtain financial compensation for any resulting injuries.
Contact Our Thousand Oaks Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident in California, you need an experienced pedestrian accident attorney on your side. At Ardalan & Associates, we know that pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries and expensive medical bills. Therefore, when you come to us for assistance with your pedestrian accident case, we will work diligently to hold the responsible parties accountable and obtain financial compensation on your behalf. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.
Ardalan & Associates, PLC is a personal injury law firm based in Thousand Oaks, also serving all of Southern California, including Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, and Orange County. We are committed to helping clients involved in personal injury accidents seek justice and navigate their legal journey.