Pedestrians and cyclists possess zero physical protection against multi-thousand-pound motor vehicles. Under **California Vehicle Code § 21950**, motorists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing within any marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, exercising all due care for their safety.
1. Common Driver Violations in Pedestrian Crashes
| Vehicle Code Section | Prohibited Driver Conduct | Legal Impact on Liability |
|---|---|---|
| CVC § 21950(a) | Failure to yield to pedestrian in crosswalk | Negligence per se against driver. |
| CVC § 21760 | Violating 3-Foot Bicycle Passing Distance | Direct statutory violation establishing fault. |
| CVC § 22350 | Basic Speed Law violation in school/residential zone | Rebuts claims of pedestrian comparative fault. |
| CVC § 20001 | Hit and Run with Bodily Injury | Triggers criminal penalties & civil punitive damages. |