Pedestrian accident cases can be confusing, and it can be overwhelming to cope with an injury that affects so many areas of your life and your family. Many people are not familiar with the rules that pedestrians are required to follow or the rules motorists are to follow when approaching a pedestrian or pedestrian crosswalk. Many think of bicyclists as pedestrians, but in reality, bicyclists have different rules of the road. At the law firm of Monsees & Mayer, P.C. we can help you get the answers you need and the compensation you deserve. Our experience includes cases that involve:
- Crosswalk accidents
- Walkers, runners, and bikers who were hit on highways, roads, or city streets by motorists who were not looking
- Catastrophic injuries to the brain and spinal cord
- Damage to bones, joints, and soft tissues
- Claims against Missouri and Kansas Department of Transportation (MODOT) and (KDOT)
- Inadequate design of roads, streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks
- Improper signage, lighting, and design
Examples of Crossing Laws and Right-of-Way
- Recognize and obey pedestrian traffic signals. When a “Walk” signal is displayed, the pedestrian has the right-of-way
- Streets without sidewalks should be traveled in a direction facing oncoming traffic
- A driver should slow down and be prepared to stop when entering a crosswalk
- A driver should always yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk
- A driver should never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk
- A driver should be particularly cautious when approaching school zones or in neighborhoods where children are present
- A driver should take special care when putting their vehicle in reverse
Laws for pedestrians and motorists can vary from state to state. The examples above are not exhaustive, but many pedestrian/motor vehicle collisions are a combination of inattentiveness and excessive speed for the circumstances. Pedestrians should also be mindful of their own safety, and should never assume a motor vehicle with its greater mass and speed will stop or slow in time to avoid a collision.
Because of extreme differences in mass and speed, injuries from pedestrian/motor vehicle impacts can be catastrophic. Hence, you need an attorney who not only knows the laws that apply to pedestrians and motorists, but an attorney who has the resources and connections to help you prove what are frequently terrible injuries and damages.
