Pedestrian Injury Claims Near Old Town Pasadena: Crosswalk Visibility, Lighting, and Driver Duty of Care
Old Town Pasadena, known for its eclectic mix of historic vibes, shopping, dining, and entertaining, draws lots of traffic—including foot traffic. The mix of heavy traffic, parking structures, and pedestrians means that this area sees a substantial amount of pedestrian collisions each year. Liability in these cases often comes down to whether the accident was reasonably avoidable, which means looking at crosswalk visibility, lighting, the driver’s actions, and the pedestrian’s actions. As a victim, your first call should be to a pedestrian accident attorney.
Pedestrians are among our most vulnerable road users, and when they’re injured, they deserve aggressive and experienced representation. The team at DeWitt Algorri & Algorri, LLP has advocated for clients throughout Southern California. Our team includes attorney Ernest Algorri, who has represented countless clients in personal injury claims and helped them secure substantial recoveries. Call our pedestrian accident law firm in California at 855-WINNING (946-6464) to learn more about how we can help you.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Are Common in Busy Old Town Areas
Busy commercial districts often create competing demands for a driver’s attention. A driver, especially one who isn’t often in the city, may be looking for their destination, watching out for pedestrians, checking traffic signals, and looking for parking all at the same time. This, of course, isn’t an excuse for unsafe driving, but it does explain why some drivers do not see pedestrians.
Turning collisions are particularly common in pedestrian-heavy areas. A driver looking for the right gap in traffic to turn may completely miss a pedestrian using the crosswalk at the same time. Similarly, drivers leaving alleys, driveways, and parking lots may cross sidewalks before thinking to check for pedestrians.
Because Old Town Pasadena often stays busy well into the night, visibility concerns can also increase crash risk.
California Driver Duties at Marked and Unmarked Crosswalks
California law typically requires drivers to yield right-of-way to pedestrians utilizing marked or unmarked crosswalks. Unfortunately, some drivers only recognize marked crosswalks as areas where pedestrians have right-of-way. Drivers approaching pedestrians have to reduce their speed or take other reasonable precautions to avoid hitting pedestrians.
Note, though, that drivers’ responsibilities don’t mean that pedestrians have no obligations when crossing the street. Pedestrians crossing outside crosswalks are generally expected to yield right-of-way to vehicles and avoid stepping in front of vehicles that are too close to stop safely.
Visibility, Lighting, and Liability
Pedestrian accident lawyers come across numerous arguments while proving the other party’s liability. It’s common for insurance companies to claim that a driver could not possibly have seen the pedestrian because it was dark outside, the pedestrian was wearing dark clothing, or another vehicle was in the driver’s view. These facts may explain why the accident occurred, but they don’t shield a driver from liability. When visibility is poor or there are obstacles in a driver’s path, they are expected to slow down enough so that they can still drive safely in those conditions.
While determining liability, investigators may look at if the driver was moving at a speed appropriate for visibility, using headlights, paying attention to the roadway, and being mindful of pedestrians.
There are cases, though, where inadequate streetlights, malfunctioning signals, landscaping that blocks a driver’s view of pedestrians, or deteriorated crosswalk markings can affect a personal injury claim. In situations like these, a pedestrian accident attorney may also recommend filing a claim against the municipality responsible for upkeep and maintenance.
Evidence Establishing What the Driver Should Have Seen
Video footage is often very valuable in these cases. Restaurants, stores, apartment buildings, hotels, and other businesses in the Old Pasadena area may capture the crash itself. This footage can also be used to demonstrate weather, road, and visibility conditions. Dashcam footage, while not always available, is also a reliable way of seeing exactly what a driver saw. Your attorney may also use witness statements, 911 recordings, vehicle data, and photographs of the scene to build their case.
Injured in an Old Town Pasadena Crash? Our Pedestrian Accident Law Firm in California is Here to Help
If you were hit by a careless or inattentive driver in Old Town Pasadena, it’s time to talk to a pedestrian accident lawyer. Schedule your consultation now by calling us at 855-WINNING (946-6464) or contacting us online.
Mark Algorri has successfully represented individuals and their families in matters involving serious and catastrophic injuries, insurance claims denials, and wrongful deaths, achieving a success rate of 99 percent for our clients.
