Maison Law helps pedestrians that are injured in accidents in Clovis. Across the city, you’ll find many different spots where you see a lot of traffic–but none more than a crosswalk. Having the right of way at a crosswalk might be the law, but it can’t always prevent an accident. When you’re hurt in this situation, our team can help you. Set up a free consultation today to learn more.
Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way at Crosswalks in Clovis?
Most of the time, yes—if you’re walking in Clovis, California law gives you the right of way at crosswalks, even if they’re unmarked. But that doesn’t mean you can just cross a street anywhere, anytime, without paying attention. The law puts the responsibility on both drivers and you, the pedestrian, to use good judgment and stay alert. If you’re on foot, you still have a responsibility to cross the street safely. That means:
- Don’t step out into traffic suddenly, especially if a car is too close to stop.
- Even if you’re technically in the right, the law says you can’t put yourself—or others—in danger.
There’s also a specific rule that protects blind pedestrians, particularly those using a white cane or service animal. It’s known as the White Cane Law, and it’s clear:
- Drivers must stop and stay stopped until the person finishes crossing.
- They can’t honk, inch forward, or try to sneak around.
This law applies not just at intersections, but anywhere someone is crossing—like near Sierra Vista Mall, mid-block on Clovis Avenue, or even in a grocery store parking lot. Everyone shares the road. And when something goes wrong, it’s important to know where you stand.
What Do I Need to Do If I’m Hit at a Crosswalk?
Even a car going 10 or 15 miles per hour can cause serious damage to someone on foot. Broken bones, concussions, and internal injuries are all possible—even if the crash didn’t look severe from the outside.
If you’re hit while walking in Clovis—whether it’s crossing Herndon Avenue, walking near Old Town, or just heading to your car in a parking lot—what you do next can make a big difference. It’s a stressful situation, but if you’re able (or if someone nearby can help), here are some steps to protect your health and your rights:
- Call 911 – Always. Even if you feel “fine” at the moment. EMTs can catch things like concussions or internal bleeding that you might not notice right away. A police report also helps with your claim.
- See a doctor – If you’re under your own power, you should go to an urgent care or ER for quick medical care. Then, you’ll want to follow-up with your primary care doctor to make sure everything is documented. Also, keep all your medical records, because they’ll become critical evidence.
- Get the driver’s information – Drivers are legally required to stay at the scene. Get their name, contact, license plate, and insurance info. If it’s a hit-and-run—say, near Shaw Avenue or in a busy shopping center—try to note the car’s make, color, or anything else you remember.
- Take pictures and videos – Document everything. Your injuries, the crosswalk, the lighting, skid marks, and any signs or signals nearby. If you’re too hurt to do this, a bystander might be able to help.
- Don’t apologize or admit blame – It’s natural to want to say “I’m fine” or “It was my fault.” Try to avoid that. Just give the facts and let the evidence speak for you.
Again, what makes any pedestrian accident difficult is how injured you’re likely to be when you’re hit by a car. It can even make taking a lot of these steps challenging–if not impossible. But our team can step in and help you by getting the important evidence and information you’ll need to file a claim.
Who’s Legally Responsible When I’m Hit at a Clovis Crosswalk?
When you’ve been hit while walking—whether it happened near Old Town, outside a shopping plaza on Shaw Avenue, or at a school crosswalk—the first question that usually comes up is: Who’s responsible?
In many pedestrian cases, it’s fairly straightforward. Drivers have a legal duty to watch for pedestrians and yield at crosswalks and intersections. If they fail to do that and hit someone, they’re often considered at fault.
But if you’re thinking about filing an injury claim, it’s not enough to feel like the driver was in the wrong. You’ll need to prove they were negligent. That usually means showing four main things:
- The driver had a duty to be careful (like slowing down at crosswalks).
- They didn’t follow through on that duty—maybe they were distracted, speeding, or didn’t yield.
- That failure led directly to the accident.
- You were injured because of it.
This is the basic structure of most pedestrian injury claims. But Clovis accidents aren’t always cut and dry. Sometimes, there’s shared responsibility, depending on the circumstances. Here’s a couple of examples:
- If a crosswalk signal was broken near Clovis Avenue and Bullard, the City of Clovis might be partially responsible.
- If the driver’s brakes failed due to a defect, the car manufacturer or mechanic could also be brought into the case.
While most pedestrian accidents in Clovis are caused by driver error, there are times when the pedestrian may share some of the blame.
- Crossing outside a crosswalk, especially in a high-traffic area like Herndon Avenue
- Ignoring traffic signals or walking against the light
- Stepping into the street suddenly, leaving the driver little time to react
- Walking while impaired by alcohol or drugs
Clovis follows California’s comparative negligence rule. That means even if you were partly at fault, you can still file an injury claim—your potential damages would just be reduced by your percentage of fault. So if you were 20% responsible, your damages would be reduced by that same 20%.
What Kind of Damages Can You Recover in a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Every accident is different, but the goal of any pedestrian injury claim is the same: to help you recover financially from what was taken from you. That includes both the immediate costs and the long-term effects. That’s why filing an injury claim is often the next step. There are two main ways you can do this:
- File an insurance claim with the driver’s insurance company.
- File a personal injury lawsuit if the insurance company denies the claim or makes a low offer.
With the claim filed, you can potentially recover damages like:
- ER and hospital visits
- Ongoing medical care and physical therapy
- Paychecks missed from work
- Mental health struggles like anxiety or PTSD
- A reduced quality of life
- Funeral costs, grief, or loss of companionship in fatal cases
Remember, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file. That clock starts ticking the moment it happens—not when you start to feel the full effects. Don’t wait too long.
Talk to a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Who Knows Clovis
Getting hit by a car is hard enough. But trying to deal with an insurance company that’s stalling or pointing fingers can make your recovery feel impossible. At Maison Law, we don’t just handle the legal side. We help you get through a pedestrian accident with:
- Clear explanations about your rights and next steps—no confusing legal terms.
- A full investigation into what happened, so the truth comes forward.
- Handling the insurance company, so you can focus on recovery.
- Pushing back on lowball offers that don’t reflect the real cost of what you’ve been through.
If you were hit while walking in Clovis, we’re here to guide you through your options—starting with a free consultation.
