Pedestrian Safety Laws in Greenville
Someone who is walking on a public street or highway is considered a pedestrian in Greenville. Pedestrian crossing accidents often occur when someone will attempt to cross a street or highway either in a designated crossing zone or in an area that does not have a designated zone and has an impact with a motor vehicle.
To determine how the pedestrian and traffic laws apply to your accident case in Greenville, it is important to consult with a Greenville pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. A knowledgeable attorney can build a case to help produce a successful outcome on your behalf.
Pedestrian Guidelines
Pedestrians have a duty to keep a proper lookout to make sure that before they cross the street, no traffic is coming and there is a clear passage. Additionally, pedestrians must walk with traffic on the side of the street, to remain visible, and be alert to oncoming traffic. Such pedestrian and traffic guidelines can come into play when bringing forward an injury claim in Greenville.
Negligence laws that pertain to pedestrians are the same that pertain to everybody. In North Carolina, a pedestrian plaintiff must prove that they are not even 1% at fault. If a pedestrian is using a crosswalk and properly following all the rules, that is very good evidence that they are not contributory negligent. This can certainly help their case should they have one. Darting into a road or not crossing at the crosswalk are examples of ways a pedestrian can be legally considered responsible or partly responsible for their injury.
The pedestrian who fails to follow the traffic laws or local rules as they pertain to pedestrians in Greenville may not be able to recover any insurance proceeds for damages related to their injuries.
Traffic Laws
Traffic laws apply to pedestrians just like anyone else in a Greenville accident case. When pedestrians have the right-of-way, they still have a duty to look out for where they are going and make sure they are free from any negligence related to an injury. Such laws exist to protect people from getting hurt.
Crosswalk Behavior
Crosswalks are regulated under North Carolina law that pertains to pedestrians and drivers alike. Local ordinances and state law regulate crosswalk behavior and can be called into question as violations of traffic and pedestrian laws in Greenville accident cases. Drivers must give right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks. Drivers also have a duty of to be careful in pedestrian crosswalk areas.
Major crosswalks are available in highly-populated areas near the University and the hospitals. These are busy roads with a great deal of pedestrian traffic. Drivers must become more aware when entering an area where crosswalks are that it may contain a high level of pedestrian traffic. Such pedestrian accidents can occur when a driver may be inattentive and, for example, runs a red light or a traffic signal and ends up hitting a pedestrian.
If such traffic and pedestrian laws are not followed, it may result in severe injury or even death on behalf of the pedestrian. If an individual has been injured as a result of a pedestrian accident and is looking to use pedestrian or traffic laws as a means to recover compensation in Greenville, it is important to contact a lawyer immediately.
