Jaywalking Laws in California

7 Jan, 19

in Laws

In California, jaywalking refers to a Traffic offense where a pedestrian crosses a street that has no marked crosswalk or intersection. This offense is illegal under the California Vehicle Code 21955. Unfortunately, many pedestrians have lost their lives due to getting hit by vehicles. If you or a family member are injured due to walking in a marked intersection, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as you can. It is the only way to preserve your rights.

Is Jaywalking is illegal in California?

In the state of California, jaywalking is considered a serious offense due to the dangers. Literally, thousands of accidents are caused every year, and in the past year alone, 706 people have been killed. California ranks the highest in regard to all crosswalk deaths. The city of San Francisco is by far the most dangerous city.

Individuals need to learn the risks and penalties of illegally crossing roads in the state of California. Aside from possibly getting injured or killed, pedestrians can also receive as high as $250. Individuals who are found to have violated any other pedestrian crosswalk laws could see their jaywalking tickets double.

If you have a loved one who dies as a result of getting hit in a crosswalk, you should hire a wrongful death attorney for help. Only they can help you and your family get the justice you deserve. Read school prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance

When Can You Be Charged With Illegally Crossing Street?

Under California Vehicle Code 21955, pedestrians are not allowed to cross adjacent roads or streets unless there is a marked crossing. This means that in order for you to cross, there must be either traffic control signals or an officer directing traffic. If an officer sees you crossing illegally, they will issue you a ticket. Pedestrian crossing rules in California are strictly enforced. Officers readily issue jaywalking tickets to individuals they believe have broken those rules.

What Happens If You Are Hit By A Car?

With California being a comparative negligence state, the pedestrian is still entitled to financial compensation even if the accident is partially their fault. The plaintiff is required to show that the defendant is partially responsible for the accident. So according to California traffic laws, even if the plaintiff is 99% at fault, they could still recover damages. A skilled attorney can minimize your fault to get you an even larger settlement.

Is There Any Time When Jaywalking Is Okay?

Under California traffic laws, there may be times when it is acceptable. If the person uses great care and caution, they are allowed to cross as long as it’s not in an intersection. As a pedestrian, you cannot step off a curb even if an oncoming car has enough time to stop. In other words, stepping off a curb into an unmarked intersection is a violation of pedestrian crossing rules in California.

The police officer in California may also issue a ticket for the following:

Failure to yield right away at marked or unmarked intersections.
If the person crossing causes a delay in traffic.
If the person suddenly runs into the crossing area without regard to safety.

Pedestrian crosswalk laws are taken seriously in the state of California. Due to the state’s high number of crossing walk accidents and deaths, it is imperative that people obey these laws.

If you have a family member who is killed as a result of an accident in a marked intersection, you should seek out the help of a wrongful death attorney. Not all of these accidents are the fault of the walker. There are a number of factors that can change the outcome of the case. Read Speed limit guide

For instance, was the driver speeding? Were they under the influence of drugs or alcohol? These are factors that can be exploited by a good attorney. And in the state of California, a personal injury attorney only has to prove that the driver has some responsibility for the accident.

It is also recommended to read about distracted driving laws