Many people are under the mistaken belief that pedestrians always have the right-of-way. While it is true that pedestrians are always more vulnerable to serious injuries in traffic accidents and should, therefore, always be afforded utmost caution by motorists, pedestrians do not – in fact – always have the right-of-way. Better understanding pedestrian right-of-way laws can help make our roads safer for everyone.
Pedestrians
When you head out on foot, it is important to recognize that you are extremely vulnerable to serious injury in any accident that involves traffic. Always put your own safety first – even if this means not taking advantage of the right-of-way when it does belong to you.
It is also important to recognize that there are a variety of situations in which you – as a pedestrian – do not have the right-of-way, including:
- When a sidewalk is available, you are not permitted to walk on the roadway.
- At crosswalks that are equipped with pedestrian signals, you are required to wait until the signal allows you to cross (even when no traffic is approaching). As soon as the signal changes and tells you to wait or to stop crossing, you must swiftly make your way to the other side of the road or to a safety island in the middle (whichever is closest).
- IF you must walk on a Texas highway, you are required to yield the right-of-way to motorists at all times.
Both motorists and pedestrians are always required to exercise reasonable care to help make our roads safer for all who travel on them.
Motorists
When you drive with pedestrians in your midst, it is imperative that you exercise extreme caution – regardless of who has the right-of-way in any given situation. While there are times when pedestrians are required to yield the right-of-way, pedestrians do not always know and abide by these rules. When it comes to yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians, it is best to err on the side of caution.
Additionally, there are times when pedestrians always have the right-of-way, including:
- When you are entering or about to cross a road from an alley, building, private road, or driveway, any approaching pedestrians always have the right-of-way.
- Pedestrians who are following pedestrian traffic signals in crosswalks always have the right-of-way.
- When a pedestrian is crossing the street (either at a marked crosswalk or at a crosswalk that is not marked), that pedestrian has the right-of-way if he or she is on your half of the road or is approaching your half of the road.
If You Have Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident, Contact an Experienced Attorney Today
If a motorist leaves you injured in a pedestrian accident, attorney Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Killeen, Texas, has what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve. Mr. Pritchard is here to help, so please do not hesitate to contact or call us at (254) 220-4225 for more information today.