California Right-of-Way Laws & Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can be devastating. An experienced attorney can help you obtain the results you deserve.

Walking, jogging, and running can be great forms of exercise. For the most part, walking is statistically safer than being in a vehicle and is also far less stressful. Unfortunately, pedestrians are not immune from danger when sharing the street with moving vehicles and this is particularly true in the State of California.

The weather in California can be perfect for year-round outdoor adventures. Sadly, pedestrian accidents in the state are a rising concern. For the past decade, pedestrian accident rates have been escalating and for every accident that happens, a person is either seriously injured or killed. After a pedestrian accident, monetary compensation can be obtained from the at-fault driver.

Receive Fair Compensation After Your Pedestrian Accident

In California, right-of-way laws were designed to protect pedestrians on the road. When a negligent driver has violated these laws and caused an accident that led to your injuries, an experienced accident attorney can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

The Law Offices of Attorney Justin H. King is exceptionally experienced and skilled in the field of pedestrian accidents. Despite California’s right-of-way laws, many drivers continue to drive irresponsibly and recklessly across the state. Sadly, this has led to an increasing number of pedestrian accidents. After you or a loved one was injured while out for a walk, jog, or run, contacting a proficient attorney can help you receive the financial compensation you deserve. The Law Offices of Attorney Justin H. King has the skills and resources needed to help you obtain the highest compensation available. Consider contacting the firm today for a free case evaluation.

California’s Right-of-Way Laws for Pedestrians

The State of California’s right-of-way laws indicates how drivers are allowed to continue and yield to others they share the road with. Right-of-way laws promote safety across all roads and they help maintain smooth flowing traffic. Even when vehicles have the right of way, drivers have to remain vigilant and cautious in order to avoid injuring another person. A few of the state’s most important right-of-way laws include:

Pedestrians

Pedestrians are those who are on foot or are using a conveyance, like a wheelchair, skateboard, or skates. This, however, does not include bicyclists. Under the California Vehicle Code §29150, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians using the crosswalk or within intersections even if these intersections are unmarked. Motorists have to obey these traffic rules, including: Be patient with those crossing who are blind, disabled, or elderly. Allow sufficient time for pedestrians to finish crossing safely. Yield for pedestrians who are jaywalking or crossing the street in an unmarked section of the road. Stop for pedestrians who are within or entering a crosswalk.

Crosswalks

Drivers will also need to follow additional right-of-way rules when they are approaching crosswalks, including:

Stopping the vehicle at a safe distance to ensure pedestrians can cross safely
Not stopping their vehicle within a crosswalk because this can block a person’s legal path to cross
Not pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Unfortunately, thousands of pedestrians are seriously injured each year as a result of negligent drivers. Even more unfortunate, many innocent pedestrians are killed as a result of careless drivers. Many of these accidents will often leave relatives and friends of the injured victims emotionally distressed and traumatized. Those dependent on the victims for financial support can also be drastically affected as a result of the mounting medical expenses and loss of wages.

The following are just a few of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in the state:

Driver Distractions

Drivers have a legal obligation to pay attention to the road and remain vigilant of those they share the road with, including pedestrians. Today, there is an abundance of distractions drivers can face when on the road, such as: Sending texts, Grooming or eating, Making phone calls, Looking up an address, and Talking with other passengers in the vehicle.

Driving While Under the Influence

A major cause of pedestrian accidents across the nation is drivers who operate their vehicles while under the influence. Legally, drivers cannot operate their vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Concentration above 0.08% in the State of California. When a driver operates the vehicle while intoxicated, this can lead to: Speeding, Road rage, Drowsy driving, and A lack of perception.

Injuries Commonly Sustained by Pedestrian Accident Victims

A pedestrian accident has the capacity to leave a victim with serious injuries, even if the accident happened while the vehicle was traveling at low speeds. Most motor vehicles have been engineered with a number of safety measures, like top-quality airbags, seat belts, and collision avoidance systems. Each one of these safety measures will work in unison to ensure the passengers’ safety in the event of an accident.

Unlike motor vehicles, pedestrians do not have the same protections when on the road. Therefore, when a collision happens, the results can be catastrophic for the pedestrian. A few of the most devastating injuries a pedestrian can sustain in a collision with a moving vehicle include: Nerve damage, Torn ligaments, Internal bleeding, Brain injuries, Broken or fractured bones, Spinal cord injuries, and Severe cuts or lacerations.

The aforementioned injuries could all result in the death of the pedestrian. The severity of the injury can depend on multiple factors, including the angle of the collision and the vehicle’s speed. When a person dies as a result of the injuries sustained in a negligent pedestrian accident, the victim’s survivors can obtain financial compensation through a wrongful death claim.

Results Matter – Talk to an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

Pedestrian accidents are serious and it is critical to have an experienced attorney handle the case. These cases can lead to a lifetime of personal difficulties, including long-term disability, pain and discomfort, emotional distress, financial hardship, and a loss of employment. If you or someone you love was injured in a pedestrian accident, talking to an attorney who can advocate on your behalf is the best thing you can do to ensure you receive the compensation you truly deserve.

For more than a decade, the Law Offices of Attorney Justin H. King has championed on behalf of those who have been severely injured because of another’s negligent actions, and this includes injured pedestrians. To learn more about how the firm can advocate on your behalf after an accident, consider calling (909) 297-5001 or complete the contact form here.

Categories : Pedestrian Accidents

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By Justin H. King, Esq. | Posted on August 8, 2021

Melinda Jordan

09:02 18 Dec 22

I went from feeling like a basket case from all the stress to feeling calm and collected after talking to Justin. He is a phenomenal personal injury lawyer and is a truly calming and reassuring presence. This firm helped me in ways I can't even adequately put into words, other than to say Thank You, Justin, to you and your awesome team.

Marjorie Harris

04:14 18 Dec 22

After an auto accident, I felt really nervous calling an attorney because I had never worked with one before. But from the first conversation I had with Jessica, I felt so at ease. Justin then called me and was so easy going and we had a nice conversation too. The entire staff took great care of me and I am very happy.

Sheila Hughes

03:45 18 Dec 22

I was in a car accident that was not my fault two years ago. A friend of mine had a family member who had been helped in the past by Justin King, and they suggested I call him. I'm so glad I did! Justin and his team took great care of my situation and got a great settlement for me. I highly recommend them if you have been in an accident. You will be very happy with what this firm. They are smart, hard-working, honest, and take great care of their clients.

Margaret James

04:43 01 Dec 22

Justin's entire staff is the best car accident lawyer team in Rancho Cucamonga. Justin, Oliver, Jessica, and Garrett all provided me with excellent service and treated me like family. They are all such great people, and always so honest and responsive to me. I gladly recommend them to anyone needing the services of a car accident lawyer in the Inland Empire.

Wm Holland

06:13 17 Nov 22

When I needed a lawyer following a car accident on the Interstate 15 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga, Justin King, and his team were there for me. I appreciated how his entire staff always seemed happy to answer my questions and were so good about returning all my phone calls and emails. I could tell this firm has immense experience in helping people get their life back after an unfortunate car crash. I was so happy with the outcome of my case and the results Justin obtained from the insurance company on my behalf. I have recommended their office to all my family members and neighbors. I hope you never need to call them. But if you need the best car accident lawyers, I can vouch that they are excellent.