San Francisco Crosswalk Accident Lawyer Pedestrian Hit By Car Bay Area Oakland California

San Francisco Injury Lawyers > Crosswalk Accidents

According to statistics compiled by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, approximately 5,000 pedestrians are killed and more than 78,000 pedestrians are seriously injured each year by cars, trucks, buses, and other motor vehicles. Most of these accidents occur in crosswalks.

California law requires motor vehicles to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians using the crosswalk. The law applies not only to people on foot, but also to skateboarders, roller-bladers, joggers, and bicyclists lawfully using the crosswalk. It is important for the injured pedestrian to know that the law requiring vehicles to give the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks applies to unmarked as well as marked crosswalks. Marked crosswalks are those that are painted on the road, whether at an intersection of two roads or in the middle of a block. Unmarked crosswalks exist at every intersection unless a posted sign states otherwise (e.g., a yellow "No Ped Xing" sign).

The crosswalk accident may happen because the driver is not paying attention to the road in front of him or her and runs over the pedestrian without ever having seen him. Failing to see the pedestrian in time to stop because of speeding is a frequent cause of crosswalk accidents. A driver may fail to stop completely at a red light before making a right turn, running into a pedestrian who is in or just entering the crosswalk. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs - whether illegal or prescription - plays a major role in many crosswalk accident cases.

One common way in which a pedestrian properly using the crosswalk but is nevertheless struck by a vehicle occurs on multi-lane roadways. The driver in the lane closest to the curb has stopped for the pedestrian, but another vehicle traveling in the same direction does not stop at the intersection, hitting the pedestrian. California law makes it illegal for a driver to pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. This is because the pedestrian is often hidden in front of the stopped vehicle and the oncoming vehicle does not see him or her. This is a classic case of negligence, and the errant driver is liable for all injuries and other damages sustained by the pedestrian.

When a pedestrian has been struck by a careless ("negligent") driver, the injuries are frequently catastrophic, even fatal. A 150-pound person is no match for a vehicle weighing several thousand pounds or more. A crosswalk-accident survivor may suffer serious head and brain injuries, a broken neck, back, arm, leg, etc. If the victim is dragged a distance by the vehicle before it comes to a complete stop, the victim may also suffer severe friction burn injuries or loss of a limb.

If you have been injured or a loved one killed by a negligent driver while in a crosswalk, it is important that you promptly retain an experienced personal injury lawyer. The lawyer will want to visit the scene of the accident or send an investigator to the scene to inspect it and take pictures while it is in the same or a similar condition as when the pedestrian was injured.

San Francisco Injury Lawyers > Crosswalk Accidents

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