Pedestrians hit by cars in California suffer some of the most serious injuries in personal injury law — and they have strong legal rights. If you or a family member was struck by a vehicle while walking in California, here is what you need to know.
California Law Strongly Protects Pedestrians
California Vehicle Code Section 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. California Vehicle Code Section 21954 requires pedestrians outside of crosswalks to yield to vehicles, but drivers still must exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians anywhere on the road. In practical terms, drivers who hit pedestrians face a heavy presumption of fault — even when the pedestrian was not in a marked crosswalk.
Where Pedestrian Accidents Most Commonly Occur
In Ventura County and Los Angeles County, the highest-risk locations for pedestrian accidents include: uncontrolled mid-block crossings near schools and parks, intersections with poor sight lines or timing issues, Pacific Coast Highway through Ventura and Malibu, commercial corridors like Harbor Boulevard in Oxnard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard, apartment complex and parking lot areas, and near transit stops where pedestrians cross lanes of traffic.
Pedestrian Accident Injuries and Compensation
Pedestrians struck by vehicles commonly suffer traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, internal organ injuries, severe road rash, and wrongful death. These cases typically involve very significant damages — medical bills, long-term rehabilitation, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in wrongful death cases, loss of support for surviving family members. Call (818) 471-7709 for a free consultation with a California pedestrian accident lawyer.
Related: Ventura Personal Injury Attorney | Oxnard Personal Injury Attorney | Santa Ana Personal Injury Attorney | Wrongful Death Lawyers
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