Sacramento Pedestrian Accident

Sacramento is a beautiful place to travel by foot, with the beauty of the climate being rivaled only by the gorgeous scenery. Unfortunately, walking around Sacramento can also be quite dangerous. Drivers often do not watch for pedestrians, and even when they do, they can become quite aggressive toward them, believing that pedestrians do not have any rights. This is of course, completely untrue. When pedestrians are injured, they should speak to a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer who can help.

Although drivers tend to think that they have more rights on the road than pedestrians, this is not true. According to the California Vehicle Code, drivers must:

• Yield right-of-way to pedestrians crossing a road while using a marked crosswalk or any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection,
• Not pass another vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk, as a pedestrian may be crossing,
• Only drive on sidewalks when entering or exiting an alleyway, driveway, or garage,
• Yield to pedestrians when driving on sidewalks,
• Never stop in a crosswalk

Failing to yield to pedestrians will result in a fine if that failure to yield results in an injury. Pedestrians can also hold drivers liable when they exhibit negligence and do not comply with these laws. A pedestrian accident attorney in Sacramento can help.

While drivers may not understand that pedestrians have many rights while on the road, individuals on foot also sometimes think that they do not have any obligations while on the road. This is also largely untrue.

Contrary to popular belief, pedestrians do not always have the right-of-way. Pedestrians are not allowed to jaywalk, which means they can only cross a roadway when they are using either a marked or unmarked crosswalk. When pedestrians fail to meet their obligations and cause an accident, they can also be held liable for paying compensation if they cause an accident that results in injuries. For example, if a pedestrian jumped out in front of a car and the driver did not have adequate time to slow down, the pedestrian can be held liable.

That being said, due to the fact that pedestrians will typically sustain much more serious injuries when they are involved in a crash with a vehicle, drivers are still liable for exercising due care towards pedestrians when they are on the road. This means that even when a pedestrian is jaywalking, drivers must take every precaution to stop for them and avoid causing an accident.

Accidents between drivers and pedestrians can become quite complex, particularly when trying to determine liability. If you have been injured in a crash, call a pedestrian accident lawyer in Sacramento at the Brod Law Firm today. Our attorneys understand how to determine who was at fault for your crash, and will work hard to secure the full amount of compensation you deserve. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.