When do pedestrians have the right of way?

People are accustomed to driving their vehicles when they leave their homes to go various places in Houston. As a result, there are many people driving on the roads every day. However, people cannot generally drive their vehicle all the way inside their destination. They may need to park in parking lots or on the street and walk the rest of the way to their destination. Many others also walk for exercise and other reasons as well, which means there are also many pedestrians out every day as well.

While in many locations, there are sidewalks and designated areas for people to walk separate from the vehicles on the roads, pedestrians and drivers will need to interact at intersections and other places where people walk across the roads.

Situations when pedestrians have the right of way

It is important for both pedestrians and drivers of motor vehicles to understand when pedestrians have the right of way to help prevent pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians have the right of way at intersections with traffic control signals when the signal is showing “walk” and cannot cross when it says “don’t walk.”

Pedestrians also have the right of way in crosswalks at intersections without traffic control signals. This is true when pedestrians are in the portion of the crosswalk where the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is close enough to that section that it is not safe for the vehicle to pass the pedestrians. Pedestrians cannot leave a sidewalk suddenly though or when there is not enough time for the vehicle to stop for the pedestrian.

Pedestrian accidents in Houston are particularly devastating for the pedestrians. They have no protection and motor vehicles do not need to be driving very fast to cause significant injuries to pedestrians. If a pedestrian had the right of way and is struck by a motor vehicle, the driver of the vehicle may need to compensate the victim. This will not heal the injuries, but it can still be valuable as people recover from their injuries. Experienced attorneys understand the devastation of pedestrian accidents and may be able to help people receive the compensation they deserve.