In a traffic accident, pedestrians are at far more risk of injury than drivers, who are protected by their vehicles. Knowing the basic safety precautions for Tallahassee pedestrians can help you avoid danger when you are out walking. If you were injured due to a motorist’s negligence, an experienced pedestrian accident attorney at Fasig | Brooks could help you recover the compensation you deserve.
When Do Pedestrians Have Right-of-Way?
Pedestrians often have the right-of-way in Florida, per Florida Statute § 316.130, but they do not always. All the following rules apply:
- At crosswalks with pedestrian signals, pedestrians have the right-of-way when instructed to walk
- At crosswalks without pedestrian signals, pedestrians always have the right-of-way, but should not leave the curb if oncoming traffic does not have adequate time to stop
- Pedestrians have the right-of-way at crosswalks that are marked or unmarked
- When there is no crosswalk available, pedestrians must proceed with utmost caution
By observing the rules and taking care around traffic, walkers in Tallahassee can help prevent serious injury.
Pedestrians do not always have the right-of-way. This does not mean that a driver with the right-of-way should continue moving when doing so would put pedestrians at risk.
Ultimately, drivers owe pedestrians a duty of care. When a motorist spots a pedestrian on the road, they have a duty to allow the pedestrian’s safe passage.
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Tips for Staying Safe
As you walk around Tallahassee, the following precautionary steps can help you stay safe:
- Carefully follow all pedestrian lights, signs, and signals
- Always check both ways before leaving the curb—even when a traffic light instructs you to go
- Only cross the street at crosswalks—which is where motorists tend to be more vigilant
- If there is no crosswalk, find the safest spot to cross and do not leave the curb unless you have ample time to cross safely
- When visibility is low—whether due to poor conditions or the time of day—exercise caution
- Stay alert to the traffic all around you—disregarding your phone and removing headphones as necessary
Your own efforts can make a serious difference to your safety as a pedestrian.
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Types of Driver Negligence
Motorists who fail to take the precautions necessary to share the road safely with pedestrians are often liable for the resulting damages. The most common forms of driver negligence that put pedestrians at risk include:
- Excess speed reduces the amount of time drivers have to react safely and increases the risk of serious injury
- Distracted driving steers motorists’ attention away from the road and endangers pedestrians
- Impaired driving presents significant risks for pedestrians
- Failure to follow the rules of the road, such as refusing to safely yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
Following an accident in Tallahassee, an attorney familiar with the laws surrounding road safety for pedestrians could help advocate for your rights.
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Your Legal Damages in a Pedestrian Accident
If you are hit by a car while crossing the street, the damages you suffer can be life-altering. These physical, financial, and emotional losses fall into the following categories:
- Current and ongoing medical bills
- Lost earnings—including both immediate and long-term loss of earning power
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering, which can be greater than your other losses combined, and intensifies their impact
Following an injury resulting from a breach of road safety rules in Tallahassee, a pedestrian accident lawyer could carefully assess your potential covered losses. This is a critical step toward recovering maximum compensation.
Call a Tallahassee Pedestrian Attorney if a Road Safety Violation Caused You Harm
Even when you follow all the recommended safety precautions for Tallahassee pedestrians, an accident can still happen. If a negligent driver injured you while you were walking, it is important to consult with a skilled attorney as early as possible. At Fasig | Brooks, we have the experience, legal insight, and commitment to help you recover full damages. Reach out to us online, or call today to schedule a consultation.
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