A pedestrian is vulnerable and can suffer significant injuries during an accident.
If a crosswalk is improperly marked or lacks flashing lights, a crosswalk accident can occur. As a pedestrian, understand your rights and defend yourself if involved in a crossroad accident.
Crosswalk accidents.
A crosswalk is a marked spot on the road where pedestrians are allowed to cross freely. Unfortunately, these accidents still happen. Pedestrian accidents will increase if the crosswalk is poorly maintained or designed. If you are involved in an accident at the crosswalk, hire a personal injury lawyer. Pedestrians sustain major or minor injuries after an accident due to the vehicle’s traveling speed. The accident will be the pedestrian’s fault if they were jaywalking. When the ‘do not walk’ signal is flashing, the pedestrian is not allowed to cross the road.
What will you do if involved in an accident?
Pedestrian accidents are life-threatening and can result in serious injuries or death. Ensure you understand your legal rights before filing for compensation. File a lawsuit or insurance claim against the people responsible for hitting you at the crosswalk. A lawyer will help you get compensated for your injuries.
Do the following.
- Contact the police to file an accident report.
- Treat your injuries.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer.
Tips for safe pedestrian crossing.
- Avoid using phones.
- Maintain eye contact with the driver to ensure they see you before you cross the road.
- Cross at the crosswalks. The drivers are usually attentive at the crosswalks hence a better chance for crossing.
- Avoid running while crossing the street.
- Be careful in the parking lot. Sometimes the car might reverse at the parking lot and if you fail to be careful and then cross behind it, you might get hurt.
- Look left and right then ensure the driver behind and in front of you can see you before crossing.
- Ensure no other vehicle is approaching before you cross the road.
Tips for drivers.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol.
- Be on the lookout for pedestrians.
- Never go past a vehicle parked at the crossroad.
- Use the acceptable speed limit.
- Slow down when entering a crossroad.
- If the conditions for driving are hard to see, exercise extra caution.
Common injuries sustained.
- Head, brain, and neck damage.
- Spinal injury.
- Torn ligaments.
- Death
- Blood loss due to an amputation, internal bleeding, or cuts.
A driver who hits a pedestrian at the crossroad will suffer the following consequences:
- Repercussions on their driving license.
- Civil lawsuit.
- Criminal prosecution.
- Traffic citations.
- Personal injury claim.
If the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol or flees the crime scene, it is a felony case. If it is the driver’s fault and leads to serious injuries or death, severe repercussions are experienced.
A pedestrian has a right to cross the road at the crossroads. The driver should always be careful to see if someone is crossing the road. The pedestrians should be keen and aware of their surroundings. When you get involved in an accident at the crossroads, you should hire a pedestrian accident lawyer to get compensation for injuries sustained. During an accident, the pedestrian can sustain a head injury, brain injury, torn ligaments, spinal injury, or death.
