New Jersey and Pennsylvania Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Attorneys Handling Pedestrian Accident Injury Claims
Both motorists and pedestrians have specific obligations according to Pennsylvania and New Jersey state laws. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, call an experienced personal injury attorney at Saile & Saile LLP in Langhorne, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, locally at 215-375-7897 or toll-free 877-213-7865. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Pedestrian Laws in Pennsylvania
- Pedestrians are required to obey pedestrian and traffic control signals when in place and in operation, such as those provided at traffic lights ("Walk" / "Don't Walk" signals) and the traffic lights themselves.
- When pedestrian and/or traffic control signals are not in place or are not in operation, drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing a roadway in marked crosswalks or unmarked crosswalks at an intersection. Though cars are required to stop for all crossing pedestrians, do not ASSUME that they will. Look both ways for clearance before crossing.
- When not crossing at a crosswalk or traffic signal, pedestrians must yield the right of way to vehicles.
- It is against the law for pedestrians to walk along the roadway when there is a sidewalk in place.
- Where a sidewalk is not available, a pedestrian may walk on the shoulder of the roadway, on the furthest edge from the roadway.
- Pedestrians walking along a roadway are responsible to yield the right of way to all vehicle traffic.
- Pedestrians are not permitted to stand on a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, soliciting employment, business or charity from driver or passenger of any vehicle.
- Pedestrians must yield the right of way to all emergency vehicles, though emergency vehicle drivers are not exempt from the duty to drive responsibly and avoid hitting any pedestrian.
- It is unlawful for a pedestrian under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance exhibiting hazardous behavior to walk along or upon a roadway.
Driver Law in Pennsylvania
Drivers coming out of garages, parking garages, driveways, or alleyways must yield the right of way of any pedestrian crossing the sidewalk or walkway spanning across the garage, parking garage, driveway, or alleyway.
A vehicle coming up behind a vehicle which is stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway is not permitted to pass the stopped vehicle.
Driver/Pedestrian Law in New Jersey
- New Jersey sees an inordinate number of pedestrian-auto accidents resulting in both injuries and death as compared to other states.
- Many pedestrian safety programs are in place across the state, which have largely been funded by the New Jersey Department of Highway Traffic Safety. In the first year these programs were put into practice, the state saw a 20% reduction in vehicle-pedestrian crashes/collisions. The safety programs stress that in NJ pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility.
- Motorists are required by law to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Motorists who do not stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk (either marked or unmarked) or who overtake vehicles who are stopped at a crosswalk are subject to a $100 fine, up to 15 days in jail, and 2 points assessed on one's driver's license. Motorists are reminded to pay special attention when making a right turn on red to pedestrians who may be crossing in a crosswalk.
- By law, there is a crosswalk at every intersection, even if it is not physically marked/painted as one. This is referred to as an "unmarked crosswalk".
- Motorists are not to block any portion of a crosswalk when stopped at a traffic light or stop sign.
- Pedestrians are to cross only in crosswalks and intersections, but are not permitted to step off of a curb or sidewalk and enter a path of oncoming traffic which is too close to stop in a safe and timely manner.
- Pedestrians crossing at any point other than a crosswalk or intersection must yield the right of way to all vehicles on the roadway.
- Drivers are responsible for practicing due care with respect to any pedestrian along or upon a street or roadway. Pedestrians, too, must be responsible for their safety.
Pedestrian accidents can result in serious injuries. If you have been hit by a distracted driver and sustained brain injury, spinal cord injuries or paralysis call our law firm. For a free initial consultation, call the experienced personal injury attorneys at Saile & Saile LLP with offices in Langhorne, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, locally at 215-375-7897 or toll-free 877-213-7865.
Contact a skilled personal injury lawyer at Saile & Saile LLP for a consultation about a wrongful death, limited tort or hit & run accident. An experienced attorney at our firm can help protect your rights and pursue compensation to the fullest extent of the law.
