Law Office of Michael D. Waks

A Lawyer You Can Trust

No Fee Unless You Win

Call888.394.1174

Available 24/7

  • Home
  • Attorney Profile
  • Reviews
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury Lawyer Long Beach
    • Personal Injury Lawyer Cardiff
    • Motor Vehicle
      • Auto & Car Accidents
      • Bus Accidents
      • Distracted Driving
      • DUI Victim
      • Motorcycle Accidents
      • Truck Accidents
      • Wrongful Death
    • Premises Liability
      • Construction Accidents
      • Premises Liability
      • Electrical Accidents
      • Private Property Accidents
      • Slip and Fall Accident
      • Swimming Pool Accidents
    • Other Practice Areas
      • Brain Injury
      • Burn Injury
      • Bicycle Accidents
      • Boating Accidents
      • Dog Bite Accidents
      • Legal Malpractice
      • Pedestrian Accidents
      • Product Liability
      • Spinal Injury
  • Case Results
  • Videos
  • Resources
    • California Law Enforcement Information
    • California Personal Injury Laws and Statutory Rules
    • Other Resources
    • Personal Injury Law FAQs
    • Personal Injury Resources
    • Physical & Emotional Recovery Support
    • Southern California Courts
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Hurt in a Pedestrian Accident? What You Should Know About Crosswalk Laws in California

May 17, 2023 by Michael Waks

young family in crosswalk

If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident in California, it’s important to understand the state’s crosswalk laws. Knowing your rights and responsibilities will help you navigate the aftermath with confidence, so you can seek the compensation you deserve. 

First and foremost, you should know that California law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians who are in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. This means if you were legally crossing the street when the driver hit you, they are likely at fault. Consequently, they’re probably liable for the damages you incurred. 

It’s important to note, however, that pedestrians are expected to exercise reasonable care when crossing the street. There are also specific statutes that can influence where blame lies, depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident. 

For example, one such statute regards walk/don’t walk signals, and it’s that pedestrians are entitled to start crossing after the countdown timer has begun. This may seem like an odd thing to highlight, but it was prohibited by California law prior to 2018. 

You should know, however, that if you do start crossing while the timer is already counting down, you are expected to get to the other sidewalk before the countdown has ended. Put another way, you cannot still be in the crosswalk when the timer reaches zero. 

Countdown timers were tested in San Francisco back in 2001, and they have widely replaced the old crosswalk signals with the red hand and walking person across the state. These updated timers let pedestrians know exactly how much time they have left to make it across, so they can decide whether to start crossing or wait for the next signal.

While this is a state law, it’s important to know that municipal and local ordinances for crosswalk use can differ. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21961, local jurisdictions are entitled to devise their own rules for pedestrians. 

That means even if you’re legally allowed to cross the street mid-block in one city, you may not necessarily be able to do so in another without jaywalking. Naturally, this could have considerable ramifications for pedestrians who end up getting hurt in accidents when it comes time to assign liability.

What Constitutes a Pedestrian?

The general consensus is that pedestrians are people on foot. It’s important to clarify what the law actually considers a pedestrian, however, because the California Vehicle Code specifically mentions them. 

You may be surprised to learn that the California DMV says a pedestrian is anyone who is walking OR using a “conveyance such as roller skates, skateboard, etc., other than a bicycle.” People using tricycles, quadricycles, and wheelchairs are also considered pedestrians in the eyes of the law. 

Speak with a Long Beach Pedestrian Accident Attorney 

Your Injuries Are Personal to Me

If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident through no fault of your own, turn to the Law Office of Michael D. Waks for strategic legal counsel. Attorney Waks is well-versed in California tort law, as well as in the differences among local ordinances, and he can help you determine how best to proceed. Call (562) 206-1939 or submit our Contact Formto schedule a free initial consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Long Beach.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Michael Waks
Michael Waks
Michael Waks is an aggressive advocate for people who have suffered because of someone else’s actions. Michael decided to become a personal injury lawyer when, while clerking at a legal defense firm during law school, he witnessed and was infuriated by asbestos manufacturers spending millions to avoid taking responsibility for the egregious injuries they caused. Immediately after passing the bar, Michael opened his own firm in Long Beach, CA to help the victims of personal injury accidents get every benefit owed them under the law.
Michael Waks
Latest posts by Michael Waks (see all)
  • How Can Social Media Activity Impact Your Personal Injury Case? - May 21, 2025
  • Why Working with a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Make a Difference in California - May 14, 2025
  • How Insurance Companies Review Injury Claims in California - April 30, 2025
Share here...

Law Office of Michael D. Waks

Get a Free Consultation

  • Submission of this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Other Areas We Serve

  • Personal Injury Lawyer Wilmington
  • Personal Injury Lawyer San Pedro
  • Personal Injury Lawyer Compton
  • Personal Injury Lawyer Paramount
  • Personal Injury Lawyer Signal Hill
  • Personal Injury Lawyer Lakewood
  • Personal Injury Lawyer Seal Beach

Testimonials

Michael represented me in a personal injury case and I can’t recommend him enough. From the very first consultation he made sure that I was always aware of my options and up to speed with every aspect of my case. He answered all my questions and used his experience and expertise to help guide my decisions instead of trying to make them all for me. He not only ensured that the settlement I received was more than enough to cover all my bills and expenses but he also made sure I had piece of mind and would be taken care of going forward.

– Eric G.‎
Read More Testimonials

Categories

  • Bicycle Accidents
  • Boating Accidents
  • Brain Injuries
  • Burn Accidents
  • Bus Accidents
  • Car Accidents
  • Construction Site Accidents
  • Disability
  • Distracted Driving Accident
  • Dog Bites
  • DUI Victim
  • Electrical Accidents
  • Government Entity Claims
  • Legal Malpractice
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Personal Injury
  • Premises Liability
  • Private Property Accidents
  • Product Liability
  • Sexual Assault
  • Slip and Fall
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Swimming Pool Accidents
  • Train Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Uncategorized
  • Uninsured Motorists
  • Wrongful Death
– BACK TO TOP –

Visit Us

Long Beach Office
1 World Trade Center, Suite 800
Long Beach, California 90831
P: 562-206-1939
F: 562-676-4388
Get Directions

Cardiff Office
160 Chesterfield Dr., Suite 200
Cardiff, CA 92007
760-767-8031
Get Directions

Call Us

888-394-1174
SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION
Personal injury lawyer Long Beach
Car accident lawyer Long Beach
Google Review
  • review_star
  • review_star
  • review_star
  • review_star
  • review_star

Michael Waks is The attorney you want to resolve your accident issues, period. He is knowledgeable, efficient, and gets maximum results when you are injured.

— Joe M
  • facebook-app-symbol
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • youtube
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Scholarship
  • Sitemap

This website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as providing formal legal advice.

Copyright © 2025 by Michael D. Waks Long Beach Personal Injury Lawyer & Car Accident Attorney

Website & SEO By Sutton Digital Marketing