Pedestrian accidents are often devastating because the human body did not evolve to withstand the impact of a motor vehicle. Sadly, even if you remain on the sidewalk and always use crosswalks, it only takes one drunk, distracted, or reckless driver to cause a tragic collision.
Tennessee law might grant pedestrians the right of way at all driveways and intersections, but people on foot still need to watch for motorists who may not necessarily be paying attention to their surroundings. They also need to follow their own set of traffic laws, which aim to improve the safety of pedestrians all over the state.
If you fail to follow local pedestrian laws and end up sustaining injuries in an accident, it could inhibit you from securing the full compensation for the damages you incurred; however, you may still be eligible for some portion of the costs associated with treating your injuries.
To discuss the circumstances of your case and determine if you have a valid injury claim, contact the Law Office of George R. Fusner Jr. If you are eligible for compensation, a Attorney George Fusner will guide you through every stage of the claims process and help you negotiate for the money allowed you under the law. Call 615-251-0005 or 800-427-8960 to schedule your free consultation.
Read on to learn about some of the more commonly disregarded pedestrian laws that could end up saving your life
- Sidewalk Laws
Pedestrians must remain on the sidewalk if one exists. If there is no sidewalk, a pedestrian should walk along the shoulder of the road as far away from moving traffic as possible. Additionally, people on foot must always walk facing the direction of traffic.
- Soliciting Statutes
It is illegal to ask for business opportunities, employment, or contributions of any kind while standing on or near a public roadway. This also includes hitchhiking, which would be considered soliciting a ride.
- Crosswalk Laws
Jaywalking refers to the act of crossing the street on foot in an illegal fashion. This is one of the most often violated laws in general, and nearly all pedestrians are guilty of breaking it at some point; however, it is in your best interests to exercise caution at all intersections and only cross the street when and where it is appropriate to do so. Use the crosswalk if available even if it means going out of your way.
T.C.A. 59-835(a) provides: “Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked cross walk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.”
T.C.A. 59-836 provides: “Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this chapter every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway.”
T.C.A. 55-8-134 provides: …. the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
- Signal Statutes
The pedestrian signals that you typically see at crosswalks in metropolitan areas are there for a reason, and it is unlawful to ignore them. Disregarding these signals could have devastating consequences, so always make sure the flashing lights say “WALK” before you step onto the pavement.
Unfortunately, the only way pedestrian laws can ever protect the absolute safety of those on foot is if everyone behind the wheel also followed all the rules of the road. As long as motorists keep violating traffic laws, though, devastating collisions will result.
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident and you want to hold the liable motorist accountable, contact the Law Office of George R. Fusner Jr. Call 615-251-0005 or 800-427-8960 to schedule a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer in Nashville. You can learn more about car wreck claims in Tennessee by visiting USAttorneys.com.