Pedestrian Accidents at Night: Why California Drivers Face a Higher Duty of Care
Walking after dark should not be a life-threatening activity, yet nighttime pedestrian accidents remain one of California’s most serious traffic dangers. Reduced visibility, distracted driving, and poorly maintained infrastructure combine to put pedestrians at greater risk after sunset. When an accident occurs, California law places a higher duty of care on drivers, recognizing that darkness demands greater caution. Below, we explain why these crashes are so common, how liability works, and what evidence is critical to proving negligence after a pedestrian accident at night. The Reality of Pedestrian Accidents at Night in California Statistics from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reveal that over 75% [...]