Crosswalk Accident Lawyers in Pittsburgh

Were You Hit Using a Crosswalk?

Over 6,600 pedestrians were killed in car accidents last year. Despite—or perhaps because of—the push for environmentally friendly practices, pedestrian fatalities increased by 3.4% between 2017 and 2018. Sadly, this isn’t a one-year anomaly. Pedestrian deaths and injuries have been steadily increasing for the past decade.

If you’re a pedestrian, what can you do? Walkers who have learned firsthand the health benefits and savings that come with commuting by foot likely don’t want to give the practice up, nor should they. Ultimately, it’s up to our city planners to make roads safer for pedestrians. Drivers must also take responsibility for their part in pedestrian accidents. For the rest of us, we can follow guidelines like wearing bright clothes, keeping our phones in our pockets and our eyes on the street, and crossing at intersections or traffic lights.

Unfortunately, safety tips don’t do anything for someone who’s already been in an accident. If that’s where you are, you need Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. Our attorneys fiercely represent pedestrians who were injured in crosswalk accidents. If you were following all the rules of the road, it’s hard for drivers to mount a successful defense. They should pay the costs of your medical bills and other losses—period. Work with our experienced team if you’re looking for recompense after a bad crosswalk accident.

Our attorneys are here to help you sue for damages. Contact us online or call (844) 383-0565 to learn what we can do. 

How Do Crosswalk Accidents Happen?

Certain situations are more dangerous than others for pedestrians, but using a crosswalk shouldn’t be one of them. A surprising amount of pedestrian accidents take place at marked crosswalks. In one study, intersections where the same street had both a marked and an unmarked crosswalk saw nearly 6 times as many accidents in the crosswalk. Researchers suggest pedestrians may feel safer in marked crosswalks, but without traffic control enforcers (stoplights or stop signs), drivers may not pay more attention. The increase in pedestrian confidence, researchers surmise, leads them to be less careful, while drivers blow through intersections in disregard of potential crossings.

Different Types of Crosswalk Accidents

Pedestrians may cross at marked or unmarked crosswalks, protected by traffic lights or stop signs or in unprotected intersections. Likewise, driver behavior as they approach intersections can vary—not all pedestrian accidents are caused by cars speeding down the road with no abandon. Crosswalk accidents may result from a few scenarios.

Turning Car

When making a right or a left, a car will be crossing two crosswalks—and if they don’t have a stop sign or red light, they may assume their way is clear. Vehicles making a right on red or turning out of a driveway may fail to watch for pedestrians as closely as they should.

Distracted Driver

Whether it’s a cell phone, a built-in GPS, or a passenger, drivers dealing with distractions are more likely to make mistakes. They may miss a red light or a stop sign, harming any pedestrians (or other vehicles) who had the right of way.

Bus Crossings

Drivers are required by law to stop for school buses, but sometimes fail to do so. This puts anyone crossing to catch the bus at risk. Though commercial buses do not require the same, any time one is stopped, drivers should be aware that there may be pedestrians in the roadway.

Multiple Threat

On multi-lane roads, a car that’s stopped for a pedestrian may impede other drivers’ view of a crosswalk. When drivers fail to heed the warning of a stopped car, or even choose to pass them, they may speed through a crosswalk to the detriment of anyone using it.

Trapped Pedestrian

Short crossing periods endanger pedestrians, especially the elderly and disabled. When a pedestrian doesn’t have time to make it across the street during a crossing period, cars should yield to them while they finish crossing—even on a green light. Rushed or inattentive drivers may see only the light and not the person, resulting in a collision.

Have You Been in an Accident? Our Lawyers Can Help.

Pedestrians may suffer serious harm from a car accident, including broken bones, traumatic brain injury, and chest or abdominal injury. Those hurt by a car collision could face high medical bills, long bouts of physical therapy, or even lifelong disability. If you were hit while using a crosswalk, you may be able to sue for damages including medical bills and lost wages. An experienced lawyer can help evaluate your case and advise you on what to do next.

Contact us about your crosswalk accident by reaching out online or calling (844) 383-0565.