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Pedestrian Safety

Plus, who’s liable for an accident involving a jaywalker?

Jaywalking occurs when a pedestrian walks in or crosses a traffic road outside a suitable crossing point.

Jaywalking may be legal in some places, but it’s not typically safe…

About 6,000 pedestrians are killed every year in the U.S., and more than 130,000 pedestrians are treated for crash-related injuries.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 80% of pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas and 73% take place outside the safety of an intersection or crosswalk (i.e., jaywalking).

Who’s Liable for an Accident Involving a Jaywalker?

There are certainly situations where a jaywalker can be held liable for an accident. For example, a pedestrian can be held liable if:

• He/she crossed against a red “Do Not Walk” traffic signal
• He/she entered a street while intoxicated
• He/she entered a highway, bridge, or other traffic area where pedestrian access is prohibited

Even when a pedestrian is partially responsible for an accident, the driver of the vehicle often shares some of the blame. Distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are common pre-crash behaviors that can impact fault in pedestrian accident cases.

Different states have different rules for shared fault situations. Working with an experienced injury lawyer can help ensure that responsible parties are held accountable for injuries or damages they cause.

We’re all pedestrians at some point, so we all share the responsibility to make sure our roads are safe. A safe driver yields right-of-way privileges to pedestrians whether the pedestrian is entitled to it or not.