California is taking a major step to protect pedestrians with California’s 2025 Pedestrian Safety Law, known as the Daylighting Saves Lives Bill. This new law modifies areas where drivers can park near crosswalks and intersections to improve visibility and reduce accidents. Understanding these changes is crucial for drivers and pedestrians to stay safe and avoid penalties. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, knowing how this law affects your rights could help you seek fair compensation.
Understanding California’s New Parking Law
California’s 2025 pedestrian safety law limits where drivers can park near intersections and crosswalks to improve safety by reducing blind spots that put pedestrians at risk.
Starting in 2025, drivers cannot park:
- Within 20 feet ahead of most street corners or mid-block crosswalks.
- Within 15 feet of a crosswalk with a curb extension (also called a “bulbout”).
- Even if the curb is not painted red, these restrictions still apply.
Why Is This Law Important?
Daylighting laws improve pedestrian and traffic safety. When cars park too close to intersections, they create blind spots that make it harder for drivers to see pedestrians—and vice versa. This is especially dangerous when drivers are making turns.
Other states have had similar laws for years, and studies show that removing visual obstructions at crosswalks reduces pedestrian fatalities. By keeping intersections clear, drivers and pedestrians can see each other sooner, react faster, and avoid deadly crashes.
What Happens If You Park Too Close to a Crosswalk?
Violating this law could result in fines, parking tickets, or even towing, depending on local enforcement. Cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco already impose strict penalties for illegal parking in pedestrian zones. With California’s 2025 pedestrian safety law, enforcement is expected to increase, making it even more important for drivers to be aware of the new restrictions.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in California
Even with new safety laws, pedestrian accidents still happen. Most of these crashes involve driver negligence.
The Top Causes of Pedestrian Accidents Include:
- Failure to yield at crosswalks – Some drivers don’t stop for pedestrians, even when they have the right of way.
- Speeding in high-pedestrian areas – The faster a car moves, the harder it is to stop in time.
- Distracted driving – Texting, eating, or adjusting the radio takes a driver’s eyes off the road.
- Drunk or impaired driving – Alcohol and drugs slow reaction time and impair judgment.
- Poor visibility from parked cars – Vehicles parked too close to crosswalks make it harder to see pedestrians on the road.
How the New Law Helps
By moving parked cars away from crosswalks and intersections, drivers will have a clearer line of sight and more time to react. This simple change could help prevent thousands of pedestrian deaths and injuries each year.
For example, if a driver was illegally parked within 15 feet of a crosswalk and hit a pedestrian while turning, this parking violation could be evidence of negligence. If your case goes to court, our attorneys can use this violation to demonstrate fault and strengthen your compensation claim.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
If you or someone you love is hit by a car, taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights.
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you don’t notice any immediate pain, some injuries can take hours or even days to show symptoms. Seeing a doctor right away can help identify hidden injuries and ensure you get the treatment you need before complications arise.
2. Call 911 and File a Police Report
A police report can document what happened and serve as evidence in a legal claim.
3. Gather Important Information
If possible, collect:
- The driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details.
- Photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage.
- Names and contact info of witnesses who saw what happened.
4. Avoid Speaking to Insurance Companies Alone
Insurance companies often try to settle claims for less than they’re worth or use your statements against you to reduce your compensation. Before speaking with them, consult a lawyer to protect your rights and ensure you receive a fair settlement.
5. Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
An experienced lawyer can help you get compensation for:
- Medical bills (including future treatment costs).
- Lost wages if you are unable to work.
- Pain and suffering for physical and emotional trauma.
At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—you don’t pay unless we win your case.
How Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Help
Filing a pedestrian accident claim can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. A skilled personal injury lawyer can:
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence to prove the driver’s negligence.
- Negotiate with insurance companies so you get the compensation you deserve.
- Take your case to court if the insurance company refuses a fair settlement.
At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we know how to build strong cases and hold reckless drivers accountable. We’ve helped many injured pedestrians get the justice and compensation they deserve.
Injured in a Pedestrian Accident? Get a Free Consultation Today
Pedestrian accidents can lead to serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and lost wages. If you or a loved one was injured by a negligent driver, you shouldn’t have to pay the price.
At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we fight for pedestrian accident victims and have recovered millions for our clients. We offer free consultations, and you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule your free case review. Let us handle the legal fight while you focus on healing.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should consult with an experienced attorney for advice on your specific situation.
