Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Lincolnton, NC

The North Carolina Department of Transportation lists some of the notable traffic laws that apply to pedestrians. 

Pedestrians have the right-of-way on North Carolina roads, and it is up to drivers to watch out for potential accidents. Section 20-173 of the North Carolina General Statutes says that pedestrians have the right-of-way at any marked or unmarked crosswalk at or near an intersection. Furthermore, the law states that drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians when entering the road from an alley, driveway, building entrance, or private road.

Pedestrians also have specific responsibilities under state law. Section 20-174 of the North Carolina General Statutes dictates that pedestrians crossing the street anywhere other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to vehicles on the road. Furthermore, pedestrians must walk on the sidewalk whenever one is present. While pedestrians are allowed to walk on highways, they must walk along the far left side of the road or its shoulder to face oncoming traffic.

Determining Liability for a Pedestrian Accident in Lincolnton

For someone to be held financially liable for a pedestrian accident, the injured party must prove that someone else (typically the driver involved in the crash) acted negligently. A driver or other party could be considered negligent if they fail to take reasonable precautions to avoid injuring a pedestrian. For example, a driver who hit a pedestrian because they were texting and distracted would likely be negligent. Negligence does not necessarily have to rise to the level of a crime, though in some cases, it does.

Liability is a particularly tricky issue for pedestrian accident cases in North Carolina because of how the state’s negligence laws work. North Carolina uses a pure contributory negligence standard for personal injury cases. That means the court could bar you from recovering any compensation if you contributed to an accident, no matter how minutely.

If you are concerned about being found potentially liable for a pedestrian accident, contact an attorney to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Potential Compensation for Injured Pedestrians

A pedestrian accident can radically change your life, making it essential to pursue compensation for all the losses you may have incurred or will deal with in the future.

A Lincolnton pedestrian accident attorney can help you seek compensation for:

• Lost income
• Reduced future earnings
• Medical bills and related expenses
• Any modifications that may need to be made to your home if you’ve become disabled
• The physical pain you have suffered
• The psychological and emotional fallout from the accident

Tips to Prevent a Pedestrian Accident

Though not everyone heeds the rules, drivers can take many steps to minimize the chance of a pedestrian accident, such as:

• Always following posted speed limits
• Avoiding distractions like texting or talking on the phone while driving
• Never driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Being especially careful at night, as pedestrians can be harder to see in low-visibility situations
• Watching for pedestrians when approaching an intersection or crosswalk
• Taking special care while backing up
• Never passing another vehicle at or near a crosswalk

Preventing a pedestrian’s injury is always worth a lost right-of-way or slightly delayed trip. A small measure of care can avoid a lengthy and painful ordeal.