Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Pedestrian Rules and Crosswalk Laws in California

California has numerous laws that protect pedestrians. These rules were designed to keep pedestrians safe and indicate where you can legally walk without interrupting vehicle traffic. It also dictates what drivers should do when there are pedestrians crossing. Vehicle Code 21960 states that all drivers must yield to a pedestrian’s right-of-way when they are crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk. They must also yield to pedestrians when they’re crossing within marked a crosswalk at an intersection.

Other important California pedestrian rules and crosswalk laws you should know about include California Vehicle Code (VC):

• VC 467 – Defines the term pedestrian in California. In the state of California, a pedestrian is anyone who is walking, using an electric assistive mobility device because they cannot walk, or using a self-propelled device such as a wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle.
• VC 275 – Defines the term crosswalk. In California, a crosswalk can either be a portion of a road painted with distinctive white lines or other markings on the surface or where two roads meet at approximately right angles (except the extension of lines from an alley across the street).
• VC 21966 – Tells pedestrians where they’re allowed to walk. Also tells pedestrians to stay out of bike lanes when there’s an adjacent adequate pedestrian facility that includes sidewalks or designated walking paths. However, if a sidewalk is blocked, pedestrians are allowed to use bike lanes.
• VC 21950 – Pedestrians crossing the street at a crosswalk. This California law is one of the most important laws when it comes to pedestrians and crosswalk laws because it’s at the heart of many pedestrian accidents. This law states that motor vehicles must yield to pedestrians who are crossing the street inside a crosswalk. Under this law, pedestrians have the right of way. Drivers must slow down to keep pedestrians safe. This also creates a legal duty for drivers to exercise caution for the safety of pedestrians.
• VC 21955 – Requires pedestrians to use a crosswalk at an intersection. Pedestrians must use crosswalks when crossing an intersection where they are traffic signals, traffic lights, or police officers present.
• VC 21954 – When pedestrians can cross the street outside a crosswalk. This code allows pedestrians to cross the street when they’re not at a marked crosswalk or intersection. However, it requires pedestrians to yield to the right-of-way to all motor vehicles that are close enough to be an immediate hazard to the walker.
• VC 21970 – Forbids drivers from stopping inside a crosswalk and blocking it unnecessarily. This includes crosswalks that are marked and unmarked at an intersection. However, it doesn’t prevent a driver from stopping inside a crosswalk at a red right prior to making a right-hand turn.

While reading the vehicle codes may seem straightforward, some of the wording can be confusing and unclear. Unfortunately, some insurance companies use the vagueness of the vehicle code to their advantage to deny accident claims. If you’re a pedestrian who’s been hit by a vehicle, don’t let the other party’s insurance companies take advantage of you and risk denying your claim. Contact an experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.