Dangers of LA Crosswalks
Cross walk laws vary state to state and, in some places, city to city. With Los Angeles being the home to nearly 10 million citizens, it is important to know the rules of the cross walk and just how dangerous they can be for everyday pedestrians.
Crosswalk Accident Statistics in California
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, the number of pedestrians losing their lives on the road is increasing at a substantial rate.
- California has the greatest amount of pedestrian accident deaths of any state in the country.
- In 2018, nearly 900 pedestrians were killed on roadways in California.
- Close to 14,000 pedestrians were injured in California accidents in 2018.
- Over 7,000 pedestrians lost their lives in California road accidents in the last decade.
- The fatality rate for pedestrians in California is nearly 25% higher than the annual average in the United States.
In Los Angeles, pedestrians do not always have the right of way though. According to California Vehicle Code Section 21954 VC, pedestrians must yield to all cars on the roadway except within a marked crosswalk or intersection. Crosswalk laws are significant to personal injury cases after a pedestrian accident. When one of these laws are broken, it can change who is responsible for the accident and interfere with the victim’s chance to receive the compensation they feel they deserve. Due to California’s comparative fault regulations, if found negligent, the amount of compensation you may receive can lower significantly.
Answering Commonly asked Questions
Do California drivers have to wait for pedestrians to cross the entire street?
In California, the law does not require a driver to wait for the pedestrian to fully exit the crosswalk or the street before they proceed. According to California law, a pedestrian on the crosswalk must only be safely out of the driver’s path for them to begin driving again.
How does the crosswalk signal work?
A red light or hand means that the pedestrian is prohibited from walking across the crosswalk. If you walk across when it is red and get injured, you will be liable. A green light means the pedestrian could walk across the crosswalk. A blinking red or orange light means that the pedestrian has a certain amount of time to cross the crosswalk, this light will typically be accompanied with a countdown.
Does a pedestrian always have to cross at a crosswalk or intersection?
A pedestrian is not required by law to walk exactly on the marked crosswalk. Pedestrians do have a duty to make sure that they are not a hazard to oncoming traffic, nonetheless they are legally allowed to walk outside of a marked cross walk or intersection.
As Los Angeles roads continue to be a dangerous place for pedestrians it is of the utmost importance be very cautious. Even following all the rules, you still run the risk being injured in an accident. If that happens call McElfish Law firm at 800-750-8WIN right away for a free consultation with an experienced injury lawyer who will fight for the financial compensation you deserve.
