Crosswalks in California are specifically intended for pedestrians. Their pattern of white lines defines where pedestrians can cross a street. Drivers must either slow down or stop when they see a pedestrian crossing, especially to avoid children being injured in crosswalks.
In school zones, crosswalks are a bright yellow for purposes of higher visibility. Some have flashing lights to warn drivers of the crosswalk, but most don’t. Some crosswalks don’t have anything designating them as such. Their location is generally at the corners of residential intersections.
Children Don’t Always Recognize
California crosswalk law follows California Vehicle Code, CVC 21950. There’s nothing mystical about this statute. It states that the driver of a vehicle must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing a roadway in any marked or unmarked crosswalk. Traffic laws are often beyond the cognitive abilities of most children. Unfortunately, that puts them at an increased risk of injury by a motor vehicle while in a crosswalk.
Children under the age of 15 are at a higher risk of being in a crosswalk accident, and they also suffer more serious injuries. If your child experiences injury or fatality by a motor vehicle while on a crosswalk, contact the child accident lawyer at Maison Law as soon as you can. We will arrange for a free confidential consultation and case review.
Children Injured in Crosswalks
The younger a child is, the greater the danger of an accident in a crosswalk. Here are a few reasons why:
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The smaller the size of the child, the less visible he or she is.
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Kids are less likely to determine if a driver is traveling too fast or intending to turn.
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A child’s ability to see the risks attendant to a situation aren’t fully developed.
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Children believe that they’re safe in crosswalks because all drivers will follow the law.
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Drivers might be in a rush, distracted or have consumed alcohol, drugs or both.
Some Common Child Crosswalk Injuries
A child hit by a car when crossing a street is completely vulnerable and exposed to severe injuries that can cause permanent impairment or even death. California law allows lodgement of a personal injury claim or lawsuit to seek compensation for damages in such tragedies. Here are a few of the injuries that a child can suffer in a pedestrian crosswalk accident:
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Traumatic brain injuries.
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Spinal cord injuries.
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Internal organ damage.
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Multiple fractures.
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Facial injuries and dental damage.
Contact a Child Crosswalk Injury Attorney
A child who doesn’t need to take a bus should be able to walk to school safely. Children come first at Maison Law. Our lead attorney is the father of a young child himself. He’s dedicated, compassionate, and committed to helping lost or injured children in an accident. But parents must take the critical first step.
Contact our offices as soon as possible for a free, confidential consultation and case review about a child crosswalk accident anywhere in California. Upon retention, our goal will be to achieve a settlement or award that is consistent with the nature and extent of the injuries suffered as well as any permanency. As we take these cases on a contingency fee basis, no up-front expenses are due.
Don’t speak with the opposing insurance company. California law doesn’t require you to do that, and that insurer is only going to try and save as much money on the case as possible. Talk with Maison Law first. We have the best interests of your child as our top priority.
