PEDESTRIANS RIGHT OF WAY IN LOS ANGELES
The lack of knowledge and understanding about pedestrians’ right-of-way is a significant factor contributing to the high number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities. According to the NHTSA 2019 report, nearly 76,000 pedestrians suffered injuries in motor vehicle collisions, a 1.3% increase from 2018. And, a total of 6,205 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic accidents in the United States. California witnessed 972 pedestrian deaths in the year 2019, with 27.2% reported in Los Angeles.
In this article, Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorneys at Yerushalmi Law Firm will guide you when pedestrians have the right-of-way in California and when they do not.
Who is considered as a pedestrian in California?
A pedestrian is a person on foot or using a conveyance, such as a roller skateboard, a skateboard, etc., other than a bicycle. A pedestrian can also be a person with a disability who uses a tricycle,quadricycle or wheelchair for transportation.
Do pedestrians always have the right-of-way in Los Angeles?
Pedestrians always have the right-of-way at marked crosswalks and intersections in Los Angeles. California Vehicle Code §21950 governs the pedestrians’ right-of-way in Los Angeles. This law states that the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within
- any marked crosswalk, or
- within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
Motorists should practice utmost reasonable care at crosswalks and intersections. They should reduce the speed of their vehicles or take any other required measures to safeguard pedestrian safety.
The law does not exempt a pedestrian from the duty to take due care of his or her safety. Pedestrians should avoid
- leaving curb suddenly and walk or run into vehicles path,
- to needlessly stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
Pedestrians are at high risk of being hit or knocked by motor vehicles, and lack of safety makes them more vulnerable to severe injuries. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident in Los Angeles, speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Hiring a lawyer early on your case will improve the odds of getting fair compensation since they are seasoned in negotiating with insurance companies and are aware of the tactics that the defendant’s insurer may employ to deny the lawsuit.
Yerushalmi Law Firm’s accomplished pedestrian accident lawyers in Los Angeles knows what to do to add strength to your pedestrian accident claim. Call us for a free consultation at (310) 777-7717
Reference:
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=21950.&lawCode=VEH
- https://cdan.nhtsa.gov/stsi.htm