Pedestrian Injuries

PEDESTRIANS USUALLY HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY IN MOST CASES, ESPECIALLY ON SIDEWALKS AND OTHER WALKWAYS, PARKING LOTS, AND CROSSWALKS:    Pedestrians are incredibly vulnerable to being struck by vehicles as they are slow by comparison, and have little time and space to avoid a collision compared to a driver in a vehicle that is traveling at speeds that no human can compare with and sizes and weights that no human body can withstand. The duty of drivers in dealing with pedestrians is quite strict as a result. According to the California Driver's Handbook, a pedestrian is a person on foot or who uses a conveyance such as roller skates, skateboard, etc., other than a bicycle. A pedestrian can also be a person with a disability using a tricycle, quadricycle, or wheelchair for transportation.

If you approach a pedestrian crossing at a corner or other crosswalk, even if the crosswalk is in the middle of the block, at a corner with or without traffic signal lights, whether or not the crosswalk is marked by painted lines, you are required to exercise caution and reduce your speed, or stop if necessary, to ensure the safety of the pedestrian. Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian you cannot see may be crossing the street. Stop and proceed when all pedestrians have crossed the street. Do not drive on a sidewalk, except to cross it to enter or exit a driveway or alley. When crossing, yield to all pedestrians.

Do not stop in a crosswalk. You will place pedestrians in danger. Remember, if a pedestrian makes eye contact with you, they are ready to cross the street. Yield to the pedestrian.

Allow sufficient time to cross the street for: older pedestrians, disabled pedestrians, pedestrians with young children 

THE APPLICABLE LAW FOR PEDESTRIANS IS CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE SECTION 21950 WHICH STATES IN THE PERTINENT PART:

(a) 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, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

(b) This section does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for his or her safety. No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. No pedestrian may unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

(c) The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.