What Responsibilities Do Drivers Have Towards Pedestrians?

Drivers are responsible for a lot while driving. It is essential to remain vigilant while driving because you never know what will come your way or when you are going to need to avoid an accident. As cars can damage objects and people, it is essential to understand drivers’ specific responsibilities towards pedestrians. If the driver does not respect the pedestrian’s rights, the driver may pay a lot of money to the victim. The driver could also be criminally charged depending on the situation. In a pedestrian accident, both the driver and the pedestrian need legal counseling. No matter your role in a case like this, you will have to handle communicating with insurance companies to receive coverage or compensation. A lawyer is the best professional to help you with these details. Winkler Kurtz LLP is a highly experienced law firm that can help you navigate and fight your pedestrian accident case. Whether you are the pedestrian or the driver, we are here to help you fight for your rights. Our Long Island Pedestrian Accident Attorney has had many successes in pedestrian accident cases and wants to help ensure you don’t have to pay for something you didn’t do. 

Driver’s Responsibilities to Pedestrians

It is essential to understand the responsibilities of a driver towards a pedestrian, whether you are the driver or the pedestrian. Knowing these responsibilities and rules can help everyone involved out of harm’s way and promote safety on and near the road. As a driver, you must give pedestrians the right of way in every situation. Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing the street at crosswalks and traffic lights. Additionally, drivers must allow pedestrians to cross when entering or exiting an establishment’s parking lot. The driver must wait for the pedestrian to cross before turning in, even if you must wait to turn on a busy road. Drivers must be aware when they turn left and right at intersections. A pedestrian is likely crossing. If you have a red or green light, you must still wait until the pedestrian has crossed. If you hit them, it is most likely your fault.  

Civil Versus Criminal Consequences 

A driver who hits a pedestrian can potentially face criminal and civil consequences. A pedestrian injured in a pedestrian accident can file a civil suit against the driver for compensation to take care of the injuries caused. An injured pedestrian can also sue the city or government where the accident happened for dangerous driving conditions (i.e., bad roads, etc.). Civil suits and criminal suits do not have a relation to one another. A pedestrian can file a civil lawsuit even though a criminal case is not open against the driver. A driver can receive criminal consequences like fines, a suspended license, and jail time. If there is evidence that the driver was driving recklessly, the driver will likely face criminal charges. A civil suit and criminal case are different and filed for various reasons. To understand the law better, we recommend hiring our Long Island Pedestrian Accident Attorney to walk you through all of the details. We can help you win your case, whether you were the driver or the pedestrian. 

Contact Us

Our Long Island Pedestrian Accident Attorney is here to help you navigate the law and protect your rights in the eyes of the law. Winkler Kurtz LLP cares about our clients and wants to ensure that they receive the proper compensation in all cases. We work hard to make sure you get all of your questions answered and limit any confusion caused by the justice process. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with our experts if you were involved in a pedestrian accident.