Pedestrian Crosswalk Accident Lawyers
As a pedestrian walking near traffic, you keep in mind the myriad of ways to stay safe. You obey traffic signals, use sidewalks, and look for crosswalks to get to the other side of the road.
However, if you were harmed by a motorist while crossing the road, a skilled pedestrian injury attorney might be able to help. A pedestrian crosswalk accident lawyer can explain your legal options, discuss potential next steps, and fight to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Pedestrian Crosswalk Laws
Although lines and other markings or signs typically indicate a traditional crosswalk, they may not always be marked. Instead, crosswalks may only be the part of the road at intersections that are considered public property.
Pedestrians using crosswalks should watch for prompts that are meant to make the roads safe for everyone. Some important crosswalk traffic laws to know include:
- Pedestrian-operated and automatic traffic control devices are in place per state law and must be followed.
- Pedestrians in crosswalks have the right of way, but when crossing outside of a crosswalk, they must yield to motorists.
- Pedestrians about to cross a crosswalk must yield right of way to public safety vehicles such as ambulances, police cars, and fire trucks.
- No dangerous articles should be discarded while crossing a crosswalk or on any road or lane.
- Pedestrians should stay to the right in crosswalks.
Traffic laws are in place to keep pedestrians crossing the street safe from potentially devastating accidents. However, if a pedestrian is injured in a crosswalk accident, a seasoned attorney can help determine whether a motorist should be held liable for damages.
Crosswalks Accidents Based on Negligence
When a pedestrian crossing the street is injured by a motorist who is not driving reasonably, filing an action for negligence may be possible. Injured pedestrians could collect a damages award if the four elements of negligence are proven. The elements of negligence are satisfied if a motorist does not drive safely and causes an accident that injures the pedestrian. A lawyer is familiar with the elements of a negligence claim including duty, breach, causation, and damages, and could help a pedestrian fight for compensation if negligence can be proven in his or her crosswalk accident.
Compensation for Injured Pedestrians
If a motorist is found negligent, a court will award the injured pedestrian economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages can be measured in real dollars, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages calculate harm that cannot be measured, such as a person’s pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, mental anguish, and future lost wages.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are the court’s way of scolding an extremely malicious motorist, for instance, one who intentionally hits a pedestrian on a crosswalk with the intent to maim or kill.
Reach out to a Pedestrian Crosswalk Accident Attorney
As a responsible pedestrian, you follow the state’s traffic laws, obey signals, use crosswalks, and avoid walking on highways. However, if you were safely crossing the road in a crosswalk and a motorist collided with you, you may be entitled to compensation.
A pedestrian crosswalk lawyer can help you fight for damages and uphold your rights through the process. Call Tittle & Perlmuter today to schedule your free initial consultation.
