Pedestrian Right of Way Laws and How You Can Make a Claim

With about 300 days of sunshine a year, Colorado residents have some really nice days to be out walking and enjoying some of that sunshine. But, whether you’re walking for pleasure or to work, accidents happen. When a pedestrian it hit by a car or truck, the recovery can be painful, lengthy, and costly. Fortunately, when you’ve been in an accident due to the direct negligence of a driver, it is possible to seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.

Colorado’s laws go to great lengths to protect pedestrians, including right of way laws. However, the at-fault driver and their insurance company may attempt to fight a claim. The insurance company’s lawyers may try to place the blame on the pedestrian. A car accident lawyer in Denver knows these laws and can help you defend your truth throughout the claims process even if your case goes to trial.

Driver Laws

Given that the average car weighs about 4,000 pounds, it makes sense that when it comes to accidents involving cars and pedestrians, the odds are stacked against the pedestrian.

Colorado law states:

• Drivers must yield the right of way when pedestrians are within the same half of a crosswalk as the vehicle.
• This law also applies to stop signs or flashing red lights regardless of whether or not the traffic signals are working or missing entirely.
• If a vehicle has stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway, whether at a marked or unmarked crosswalk, a driver may not pass or go around the stopped vehicle.

Pedestrian Laws

While Colorado law goes to great lengths to protect pedestrians, they still must abide by pedestrian laws and be responsible for their own safety. Even though they may hold the right of way, pedestrians must actively avoid dangerous situations.  Even a simple act such as stepping off the curb onto the street could put a pedestrian in danger. Because pedestrians are so vulnerable, it is better to be safe than sorry, even if the pedestrian has the right of way.

Colorado pedestrian law state:

• Where adjacent intersections have traffic signals, a pedestrian must use the crosswalks and not cross in unmarked areas (jaywalking).
• Pedestrians must yield to all vehicles while crossing outside of a marked crosswalk.
• Pedestrians must yield to all vehicles while crossing the road where there is a pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing.
• Pedestrians must follow the flashing Walk and Don’t Walk signals.
• A Pedestrian may not suddenly leave the curb and walk or run into an on-coming vehicle that is close enough to be considered hazardous

You have a lot of protection under the law as a pedestrian in Colorado, but when accidents do happen, it’s important that you have the support you need. Contact the Bendinelli Law Firm immediately if you’ve been in an accident and need to talk to a Denver personal injury lawyer.