Crosswalk Accident Attorney in Glendale & Los Angeles

California Crosswalk Right-of-Way Laws

California Vehicle Code §21950 establishes the fundamental rule: drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. This right of way applies whether the crosswalk is painted with visible markings or is an 'unmarked crosswalk' — the extension of the sidewalk across the intersection at any corner, whether or not paint lines are present.

The law imposes specific duties on drivers. Under CVC §21950(a), when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, drivers must exercise all due care for the safety of the pedestrian, including reducing speed or stopping to yield. CVC §21950(b) clarifies that pedestrians should not suddenly leave a curb and walk into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard, but this provision does not relieve a driver from the duty of exercising due care.

Additional protections exist for pedestrians. CVC §21951 prohibits vehicles from passing another vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk to allow a pedestrian to cross. This anti-passing rule exists because pedestrians who are crossing from behind a stopped vehicle may not be visible to drivers in adjacent lanes. CVC §21952 prohibits pedestrians from suddenly entering a crosswalk when a vehicle is so close that the driver cannot reasonably stop. CVC §21954 addresses pedestrian duties when crossing outside of a crosswalk, requiring pedestrians to yield to vehicles. Understanding these interrelated statutes is essential for building a strong crosswalk accident case.

Marked vs. Unmarked Crosswalks in California

One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of California pedestrian law is that crosswalks exist at every intersection, whether or not they are marked with paint. An unmarked crosswalk is the natural extension of the sidewalk or shoulder across the intersection. If there are sidewalks on both sides of a street, an unmarked crosswalk exists at every corner of every intersection, even if there are no painted lines.

This means that a driver who strikes a pedestrian at an intersection where there are no painted crosswalk lines is still violating the pedestrian's right of way if the pedestrian was crossing within the unmarked crosswalk area. Insurance companies frequently argue that because there was 'no crosswalk' at the location, the pedestrian was at fault. This argument is legally incorrect in most intersection situations, and Attorney Anand Desai knows how to counter it with the applicable Vehicle Code provisions.

Marked crosswalks — those with visible paint or other pavement markings — are typically found at signalized intersections, near schools, in commercial districts, and at mid-block locations where pedestrian traffic is heavy. The presence of a marked crosswalk may provide additional protection under the law, as it puts drivers on explicit notice that pedestrians cross at that location. However, the absence of markings does not eliminate the crosswalk or the pedestrian's right of way at an intersection. The only locations where crosswalks do not exist are mid-block locations between intersections that do not have marked crosswalks.

Dangerous Crosswalks in Glendale

Glendale has been the focus of pedestrian safety concerns for years. The city's wide arterial streets, heavy traffic volumes, and large pedestrian population create conditions that put crosswalk users at risk. Several specific locations have been identified as particularly dangerous for pedestrians.

Brand Boulevard through downtown Glendale carries heavy vehicle traffic while also serving as the city's primary pedestrian corridor, with foot traffic to and from the Americana at Brand, Glendale Galleria, restaurants, and shops. Crosswalks along Brand between Colorado and Broadway see especially high pedestrian volumes. Left-turning vehicles at intersections along Brand frequently fail to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk, creating a recurring pattern of crosswalk accidents.

Central Avenue, Glendale Avenue, and Broadway are arterial streets with multiple lanes, higher speed limits, and crosswalks that require pedestrians to cross significant distances. Elderly pedestrians and those with mobility limitations are particularly vulnerable at these crosswalks because the pedestrian signal timing may not provide adequate crossing time. Colorado Boulevard, particularly near the intersection with Brand and Central, sees heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic that creates conflict points.

School zone crosswalks throughout Glendale require particular attention. The crosswalks near Roosevelt Elementary, Hoover High School, and other Glendale Unified School District campuses serve children and parents during drop-off and pick-up hours. Drivers who are distracted or impatient near schools pose extreme danger to children using crosswalks. The City of Glendale has implemented various pedestrian safety measures at some locations, but many crosswalks remain inadequately protected.

Left-Turn Pedestrian Strikes in Crosswalks

Left-turning vehicles are one of the leading causes of pedestrian crosswalk accidents. When a driver makes a left turn at an intersection, their attention is typically focused on finding a gap in oncoming traffic. Once they see an opening, they accelerate through the turn while looking at oncoming traffic rather than at the crosswalk they are about to enter. A pedestrian lawfully crossing in the crosswalk on the far side of the intersection may be struck because the driver simply never looked in their direction.

Under California law, left-turning drivers must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. CVC §21950 applies regardless of which direction the driver is traveling or turning. A left-turning driver who strikes a pedestrian in a crosswalk is presumed negligent. The driver's failure to observe the crosswalk before completing the turn is a breach of their duty of care.

Left-turn pedestrian strikes are particularly common at intersections with protected left-turn signals. Drivers with a green left-turn arrow often assume they have an unrestricted right of way and accelerate through the turn without checking for pedestrians. However, a green left-turn arrow gives the driver the right of way over other vehicles, not over pedestrians. If a pedestrian entered the crosswalk lawfully during a prior signal phase and is still crossing when the left-turn arrow activates, the driver must yield.

These accidents tend to produce severe injuries because the pedestrian is often struck from the side or behind, with no warning and no ability to brace or move out of the way. Attorney Anand Desai investigates signal timing, driver behavior, and pedestrian positioning to build compelling liability cases in left-turn crosswalk accidents.

City Liability for Missing or Dangerous Crosswalks

When a city fails to install crosswalks, pedestrian signals, or other safety measures at locations where they are needed, the city may be liable for resulting pedestrian injuries. Under California Government Code §835, a public entity is liable for injury caused by a dangerous condition of public property if the condition created a reasonably foreseeable risk of injury, the entity had actual or constructive notice of the condition, and the entity failed to act reasonably to protect against the danger.

Dangerous conditions related to crosswalks include intersections without marked crosswalks where pedestrian traffic is heavy and vehicle speeds are high, crosswalks without pedestrian countdown signals or with inadequate crossing time, crosswalks with poor visibility due to overgrown vegetation, missing lighting, or obstructed sight lines, locations where repeated pedestrian accidents demonstrate a known hazard, school zones without adequate pedestrian infrastructure, and mid-block locations where pedestrian demand warrants a marked crosswalk but none has been installed.

Filing a claim against a city requires compliance with the California Government Claims Act, including filing an administrative claim within six months of the accident. This is a strict deadline that, if missed, will bar your lawsuit. The city then has 45 days to respond. If the claim is denied or the city fails to respond, you can file a lawsuit. These government liability cases require specific expertise in municipal law and pedestrian safety standards. Attorney Anand Desai has experience pursuing claims against the City of Glendale, City of Los Angeles, and other municipalities for dangerous crosswalk conditions.

Compensation for Crosswalk Accident Victims

Crosswalk accident victims are entitled to the full spectrum of compensatory damages under California law. Because pedestrians have no vehicle protection, the injuries from crosswalk accidents tend to be more severe than car-on-car accidents at similar speeds, resulting in higher damage awards. Economic damages include all costs — emergency room treatment, ambulance transport, hospitalization, surgery (often multiple procedures for fractures, internal injuries, and head trauma), rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, prescription medications, assistive devices, home modifications, and lifelong care for catastrophic injuries.

Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity are significant components of crosswalk accident claims. A pedestrian who suffers a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury may never return to their previous occupation, and the lost earning capacity over a lifetime can amount to hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. Non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium reflect the profound impact of crosswalk accident injuries on every aspect of the victim's life.

In cases involving particularly reckless driving — such as a distracted driver who struck a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk while texting, or a drunk driver who ran a red light and struck a pedestrian — punitive damages may be available under California Civil Code §3294. In wrongful death crosswalk accident cases, surviving family members can seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship and guidance. California places no cap on non-economic damages in personal injury or wrongful death cases. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.