Taking a walk is a simple joy that many Kentucky residents participate in when they want to commute on foot or simply get some exercise. Walking is a healthy and pleasant pastime, but unfortunately it can be made dangerous when pedestrians must cross paths with motor vehicles. In Kentucky, laws exist to protect both pedestrians and drivers from collisions between them on roadways.
This post will focus on one aspect of pedestrian-driver interactions: crosswalks. No part of this post should be read as legal advice. When accidents happen and pedestrians are injured in motor vehicle accidents, they can choose to seek the council an advocacy of personal injury attorneys in their communities.
What is a crosswalk?
A crosswalk is a designated portion of a road where walkers and other pedestrians may legally cross. Crosswalks can be controlled by roadway signals. When pedestrians are legally in crosswalks, they generally have the right of way when motor vehicles approach.
How must drivers behave when dealing with crosswalks?
Drivers should always act reasonably when behind the wheels of their vehicles. They should be prepared to encounter obstacles and hazards and to act safely and appropriately to them. Pedestrians and the crosswalks they are allowed to use are normal and expected obstructions that drivers should be prepared to see when they drive through their communities.
When approaching a crosswalk, a driver should ensure that no pedestrians are in it before passing through. When a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, a driver must stop and allow them safe passage to the other side of the street. Any vehicles approaching a stopped car at a crosswalk may not overtake the stopped car and enter the crosswalk while a pedestrian is in it.
What to do if injured in a crosswalk
When a pedestrian is struck in a crosswalk, they may suffer severe and painful injuries. They may also have rights to seek compensation for the harm they suffered. A driver who fails to follow the rules that apply to pedestrians in crosswalks may be liable to their victim’s injuries and may be required to compensate them for their damages. Crosswalk accident victims can discuss their rights and options with their trusted personal injury lawyers.
