Originally Posted by Mtracer

As I mentioned, a driver certainly isn't required to slam on brakes if a pedestrian suddenly steps into a crosswalk. Note: I'm saying steps into the crosswalk, not steps out in front of the car. Drivers must always do what they can to avoid an accident.

Here's a section from the California code concerning pedestrians and crosswalks.

"(b) This section does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for their safety. No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. No pedestrian may unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
".