Our attorneys at Maison Law offer representation to pedestrians who have been hurt in serious accidents throughout California. At intersections in major California cities, there are many risks to pedestrians who are forced to enter traffic with passenger vehicle drivers. If you believe that a driver’s negligence led to your pedestrian accident, you may question how you will physically and financially recover. Please contact us today for a completely confidential case review.
Dangers to Pedestrians at California Intersections
Intersections are a reality that some pedestrians come across every single day in California cities. Even though they are a necessity in the lives of many, they should always be made as safely as possible for vulnerable individuals like pedestrians. At an intersection, pedestrians and drivers alike have to take several things into consideration. These include:
- Who has a green light or “walk” signal
- Who has the general right-of-way
- The speed that traffic is going
- Whether or not there are crosswalks at the intersection
- Cars making left turns
If a driver is not paying close attention to the intersection or the intersection is dangerous by design, pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur and lead to devastating and even fatal results.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents at Intersections
There are many reasons for pedestrian accidents at California intersections, which include some of the following:
- Driver Distractions: When a driver is texting, eating, or talking to passengers, they are likely too distracted to focus on the road before them. This means that a driver could travel through an intersection without seeing what is around them, which could easily lead to a pedestrian crash.
- Intoxication: When a driver is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it could pose a road to others on our roads. The perception of an impaired driver will be skewed, which can lead to a pedestrian accident at a busy intersection within seconds.
- Impatience: If a pedestrian starts to cross the street, a driver is supposed to wait for them. However, an impatient driver may not be looking out for a pedestrian and might strike them without thinking twice on their way to their destination.
- Recklessness: When a driver does not look out for pedestrians at intersections, this is a reckless act that can lead to devastating results.
- Speeding: If a driver is traveling over the speed limit, they may not be able to stop at an intersection in time. As they blow through, they could strike a pedestrian.
- Left Turn Driving: Left-turn accidents are some of the most common types of accidents at intersections involving pedestrians, as drivers may not always see a pedestrian until it is too late. Drivers may be too busy negotiating the intersection to see the pedestrian, which can lead to catastrophic results.
As a pedestrian, it is important to assume that a driver does not see you. Making eye contact and crossing only when prompted can help lessen the number of pedestrian accidents that occur at dangerous intersections throughout California and beyond.
Jaywalking at Intersections
Jaywalking is when a pedestrian crosses the street at a placed between two intersections that is not legally within a crosswalk. As of 2023, California made jaywalking legal through what is known as the “Freedom to Walk” Act. This means that, provided a pedestrian is reasonably watching the road around them, they are able to safely cross the street without utilizing a crosswalk at an intersection.
Accidents involving jaywalking pedestrians still continue to happen near intersections and lead to devastating effects each year. A pedestrian could now hold a driver liable for the damages that they have sustained even if they were jaywalking provided the driver was acting in a negligent way at the time of the accident. Speaking with a lawyer can make you aware of any options you have after any type of pedestrian accident at or near an intersection.
Seeking Damages Following a Pedestrian Accident
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident at a California intersection, you may be entitled to a wide array of damages. These include some of the following:
- Medical expenses you have suffered or will incur in the future
- Lost wages and future loss of income caused by the accident and missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Therapy costs
- Punitive damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
These damages can help you get back on your feet after an accident has turned your life upside-down. Every claim is unique in its own way, which is why it can be beneficial to speak with a legal advocate.
Contact a California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
Being injured in a California pedestrian accident can upend your life in many ways. You may be left with a wide array of questions after an accident caused by another party’s negligence. Because of this, speaking with a California pedestrian accident lawyer can be in your best interests. At Maison Law, we are here to help you through every step of the legal process so that you never have to face it alone. Please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free and no-obligation case review.
