Los Angeles, CA personal injury attorney Narbeh Shirvanian explains how you can recover damages if you were hit by a vehicle while jaywalking. He explains that in pedestrian accidents, questions of right-of-way often arise when individuals are walking through town. A primary consideration is the pedestrian’s exact location at the time of the incident. When evaluating such cases, essential details include whether the pedestrian was in a crosswalk, the status of the pedestrian signal (green or red), and compliance with traffic signals.

Additional factors include whether the pedestrian was jaywalking or crossing outside a designated crosswalk, as well as the layout of the area, including traffic controls like stop signs or signals. Pedestrians are generally advised to use crosswalks and cross when the signal permits or when it is safe to do so.

Recent changes in California jaywalking laws may allow pedestrians crossing outside of crosswalks to still be considered within reasonable safety bounds. Establishing fault in these cases relies on evidence such as video footage, eyewitness testimony, and, when necessary, expert analysis through accident reconstruction.