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Missouri Pedestrian Rights and Driver Liability
Car, truck, and motorcycle drivers must always exercise extreme care when crossing paths with a pedestrian — not just for the sake of following Missouri’s stringent driving laws but simply for the safety of the unprotected pedestrian.
For example, drivers must always:
- Yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian in a marked or unmarked crosswalk
- Slow down or stop at a crosswalk to check for approaching pedestrians
- Reduce speed in pedestrian-populated areas
- Be alert to pedestrians while making right-hand turns
- Yield the right-of-way to persons who are blind and guided by a dog or carrying a white cane
- Remain stopped at stop signs and allow any pedestrians to cross the roadway in front of the car
- Keep clear of the crosswalk when stopped at a traffic signal or stop sign so that pedestrians can cross safely
- Do their best to avoid endangering pedestrians
But crosswalk safety is certainly a two-way street. Pedestrians are also required by law to exercise reasonable care when walking on public streets, such as not crossing roadways in undesignated areas or when a “Don’t Walk” indicator is on. However, if you have allegedly violated one of these rules and were struck by a vehicle, you may still be able to seek compensation.
Keep in mind that these accidents are not always black and white. Whether or not you, the pedestrian, were breaking the law, a driver who hit you may still hold fault and should be held liable. Get in touch with a pedestrian accident lawyer in St. Louis, MO, who cares about your life and wants to safeguard your rights as a pedestrian.
Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle
Without the protection and safety that is available to those inside a car, pedestrians are in a vulnerable position every day out on the road. Therefore, the bodily injuries that result are often catastrophic in nature, including spine and neck, traumatic brain injuries, etc.
At The Hayden Law Firm, we have seen many types of cases ranging from minor to severe.
The most common cases we take on include:
- Hit and run accidents – Occurs when a pedestrian has been struck and the responsible driver does not remain at the scene.
- Distracted driving accidents – Occurs when a driver is distracted in some way (such as texting and driving) and is not paying attention when a pedestrian is crossing.
- Bad weather accidents – Occurs when bad weather (such as ice or rain) makes conditions treacherous and the driver does not take the necessary precautions (such as adjusting speed or turning on wipers) to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
- Crosswalk accidents – Occurs when a pedestrian is legally in a crosswalk and a driver fails to give them the right-of-way
- Parking lot accidents – Occurs most often when a parking lot is busy; a driver may pull into or out of a parking space and strike a pedestrian.
- Loss of control accidents – Occurs when a driver has lost control of the vehicle and may run up on the sidewalk, hitting a pedestrian.
A pedestrian accident can happen anywhere, anytime, and for any reason — often when you least suspect it. When this happens, you need someone on your side who will not only act fast, but will handle your case with compassion and care during this chaotic time. If you have suffered an injury, you deserve compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer in St. Louis, MO.
