Pedestrian Accidents in Sacramento: Your Rights, the Law, and What to Do Next

Drivers Must Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalks

Under California Vehicle Code section 21950, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing within a crosswalk. Importantly, this applies to both marked crosswalks, the ones with painted lines, and unmarked crosswalks, which generally exist at intersections even when no lines are painted on the pavement.

This is one of the most misunderstood points in pedestrian cases. Many drivers, and even some adjusters, assume that if there were no painted lines, the pedestrian had no right of way. That is wrong. At most intersections, a legal crosswalk exists whether it is painted or not, and the driver still has a duty to yield.

When a driver hits a pedestrian who was lawfully crossing, the failure to yield is strong evidence of negligence.

Pedestrians Have Duties Too

The law is not a one-way street. The same statute that requires drivers to yield also tells pedestrians not to suddenly leave a curb and walk into the path of a vehicle that is so close it creates an immediate hazard. Pedestrians are also expected to use crosswalks where they are available and to exercise reasonable care for their own safety.

Insurers seize on these duties to blame the victim. They may argue you were jaywalking, distracted, or crossed against a signal. Even when some of that is true, it rarely tells the whole story, and under California's comparative negligence rules, shared fault does not bar your claim. It simply reduces it. A careful investigation often shows the driver was speeding, distracted, or failed to keep a proper lookout.

Sacramento's Dangerous Streets for Pedestrians

Some Sacramento-area corridors are simply hostile to people on foot. Wide, high-speed arterials with long distances between safe crossings, heavy traffic, and limited lighting put pedestrians at serious risk. Streets that local residents and safety advocates have long flagged as dangerous include:

• Watt Avenue
• Stockton Boulevard
• Florin Road
• El Camino Avenue

These roads share common features: multiple fast lanes, frequent driveways and bus stops, and crossing points that are far apart, which tempts people to cross mid-block. None of that excuses a driver who fails to watch for pedestrians, but it does help explain why so many serious crashes happen on these specific streets and why local conditions matter in proving a case.

Common Pedestrian Injuries

Because a pedestrian absorbs the full force of impact and often a second impact with the ground, injuries tend to be severe. We frequently see:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken legs, hips, and pelvises
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Severe lacerations and permanent scarring

These injuries can require surgeries, lengthy rehabilitation, and lifelong care. A proper claim values not only the bills you have already received but the future cost of your recovery and the wages you may never be able to earn.

What to Do If You're Hit While Walking

If you are physically able after being struck, the following steps help protect your health and your claim:

• Call 911 and accept medical evaluation at the scene
• Do not move far if it risks your safety; wait for help
• Photograph the location, signals, crosswalk markings, and the vehicle
• Collect contact information for the driver and any witnesses
• Get the police report number
• Decline to give a recorded statement to the driver's insurer until you have spoken with a lawyer

If a loved one was killed in a pedestrian crash, California's wrongful death law allows certain family members to seek compensation for their loss. We handle these sensitive cases with care.

What Your Pedestrian Claim May Be Worth

Injured pedestrians in California can pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment, future medical needs, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, disfigurement, and the loss of life's enjoyment.

Because Sacramento drivers sometimes carry minimal insurance, or flee the scene entirely, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can become a vital source of recovery. We investigate every available avenue of compensation. The DePaoli Law Team has secured more than $3.85 million in results for injured clients, though prior results never guarantee what any individual case will bring.

Get a Free Consultation With a Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you were hurt while walking, or lost a family member in a pedestrian crash, attorney Kelsey DePaoli (CA State Bar #283310) and the DePaoli Law Team are here to help you understand your rights and fight for fair compensation.

Reach us at 177 Parkshore Dr, Folsom, CA 95630, or call (916) 962-2896. We proudly serve the Sacramento metro area, and you pay no fee unless we win.