Crosswalk Safety and Pedestrian Rights in West Valley City

Crosswalk laws are designed to keep pedestrians safe, but not all drivers follow them. If you’ve been struck while crossing the street, call Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks at (801) 500-4000 to see how we can help you get compensated for your injuries.

Even though crosswalks and signals are meant to protect people in West Valley City, accidents still happen, and they are usually a result of distracted or otherwise negligent drivers.

We see it frequently at our personal injury law firm: pedestrians injured because drivers weren’t paying attention. Our goal with this article is to provide more education about crosswalk safety and pedestrian rights in West Valley City. While there is no way to stop drivers from being negligent, pedestrians need t know how to protect themselves and what their rights are in the event of an accident.

At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, our attorneys are experienced in handling personal injury claims, including pedestrian accident cases. We have helped many families get the money they are owed after dealing with a pedestrian injury. If you’ve been in an accident, we’ll guide you through your options so you can focus on healing and staying safe.

Importance of Crosswalks and Pedestrian Signals

Crosswalks and pedestrian signals are important for keeping people safe when they walk near roads. They help prevent accidents and make it easier for pedestrians to cross streets safely.

Why Crosswalks Matter

• Keeps Pedestrians Safe: Crosswalks show people where it is safest to cross the street. They help drivers know where to watch for people walking.
• Reduces Accidents: When people cross at crosswalks instead of random places, there is less chance of getting hit by a car.
• Helps Traffic Flow: When pedestrians use crosswalks, cars can move more smoothly because drivers expect where people will cross.

Why Pedestrian Signals Are Important

Pedestrian signals are the lights at crosswalks that tell people when it is safe to walk. They keep the flow of traffic and pedestrians moving in a structured way that promotes safety for all.

• Tells You When to Cross: A “WALK” sign means it is safe to go, while a red “DON’T WALK” sign means to wait.
• Gives Enough Time: The signal gives pedestrians enough time to walk across the street before cars start moving again.
• Helps Drivers Know When to Stop: When the signal shows “WALK,” drivers must stop and let people cross.

The Consequences of Ignoring Crosswalks

When drivers ignore pedestrian signals or speed through intersections, they put lives at risk. Disregarding these pedestrian safety measures can lead to serious, sometimes life-changing injuries.

Respecting crosswalks and signals isn’t just about following the rules, it’s about ensuring that pedestrians and drivers can safely share the road.

Local Initiatives to Improve Pedestrian Safety in West Valley City

West Valley City, Utah, has been working hard to make walking safer for everyone. They have introduced several programs and rules to protect pedestrians. Let’s look at some of these important efforts.

Clear Walkways Around Buildings

• Continuous Walkways: Buildings must have walkways at least five feet wide along any side with a customer entrance or next to parking areas. This ensures pedestrians have a safe path around buildings.
• No Blockages: These walkways must remain clear. No merchandise displays are allowed unless there’s a special area approved for that purpose. This keeps paths open and safe for walking.

Safe Crossings in Parking Areas

• Marked Crosswalks: In parking lots, especially for buildings over 10,000 square feet, walkways must be clearly marked. This can be done by changing the elevation or using different paving materials to show where pedestrians should cross.
• Walkways Through Parking Lots: There should be clear paths through parking areas connecting to the main building. These walkways should be at least six feet wide and include planting areas for a combined width of 15 feet. This design helps protect pedestrians from vehicles.

Bicycle Parking to Encourage Safe Riding

• Bicycle Spaces: For every 20 car parking spaces, there should be at least one bicycle parking space. This encourages people to ride bikes, knowing there’s a safe place to park.
• Location and Security: Bike parking should be close to building entrances, within 100 feet, and should not block pedestrian walkways. All bike racks or lockers must be securely anchored to the ground or a structure to prevent theft.

Broader Efforts in Utah

Beyond West Valley City, the state of Utah is also focusing on pedestrian safety:

• Safety Action Plan: Utah has a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan aimed at reducing accidents involving pedestrians. This plan includes strategies like better road designs and public education campaigns.
• Emphasis on Education: Programs like “Heads Up” are being implemented to teach both drivers and pedestrians about safety. These programs aim to change behaviors and make walking safer across the state.

Legal Rights of Pedestrians in Crosswalks

Pedestrians have special rights when they cross the street, especially at crosswalks. These rights help keep them safe and make sure drivers know when to stop. Understanding these laws can help both pedestrians and drivers avoid accidents.

1. Drivers Must Stop for Pedestrians: If a pedestrian is in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, cars must slow down and stop to let them cross. This law helps protect people from getting hit by fast-moving vehicles.
2. Pedestrians Have the Right of Way in Most Cases: When walking in a crosswalk, pedestrians usually have the right of way. This means cars must stop until they finish crossing. However, pedestrians should still look both ways before crossing to stay safe.
3. Turning Cars Must Yield to Pedestrians: If a car is turning at an intersection, the driver must wait for people walking across the street before going. This helps prevent accidents when pedestrians are crossing.
4. Traffic Signals Must Be Followed: Pedestrians must follow traffic lights and walk signals when they are available. A “WALK” sign means it is safe to cross, but a flashing “DON’T WALK” means you should not start crossing.
5. Jaywalking is Not Allowed: Jaywalking means crossing the street outside of a crosswalk or when the signal says “DON’T WALK.” It is illegal in many places and can be dangerous because cars are not expecting pedestrians in those areas.
6. Drivers Must Be Extra Careful in School Zones: In school zones, cars must slow down and watch carefully for children crossing the street. Some places have crossing guards to help students cross safely.

How Pedestrians Can Stay Safe

Even though pedestrians have legal rights, they must also be responsible for their own safety. Here are some tips:

• Always use a crosswalk if one is available.
• Look both ways before stepping onto the road.
• Make eye contact with drivers to make sure they see you before crossing.
• Avoid distractions like texting or wearing headphones while crossing the street.
• Wear bright or reflective clothing at night to be more visible.

What Happens If a Driver Doesn’t Stop?

If a driver does not stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, they can:

• Get a ticket or fine from the police.
• Have points added to their driver’s license.
• Be responsible for an accident if they hit someone.

Holding At-Fault Parties Accountable

If a driver’s careless act violates your crosswalk rights and causes injuries, you may file a personal injury claim seeking compensation for hospital bills, pain, or missed wages. You can also seek compensation for psychological distress, as many crosswalk victims experience anxiety returning to normal daily walks.

A West Valley City pedestian accident lawyer can help compile your evidence, like the police report, witness statements, or intersection camera footage, to show the driver’s negligence.

While understanding your rights as a pedestrian is not a guarantee of safety, it does give you a basis to stand on if something goes wrong. You can assert these rights when needed to secure justice and fair compensation for any injuries you sustain due to a negligent driver.

How Our Firm Advocates for Crosswalk Accident Victims

Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks recognizes that no matter how careful you are as a pedestrian, reckless drivers can still cause injuries. If you have been hurt crossing a street in West Valley City, you may be overwhelmed with medical bills or facing a tough recovery. You might feel alone in fighting an insurance company that doesn’t want to pay you what you are owed. Our firm is here to provide caring and effective legal assistance, supporting you through every step. Here are the ways we will help.

Listening to Your Story

When you reach out, we begin by understanding your experience. How did the crosswalk collision occur? Which traffic signals or signs were present? Did you sustain fractures, head trauma, or emotional distress from the incident? Gaining a full sense of your medical challenges helps us calculate damages accurately.

Collecting Detailed Evidence

Next, we gather information needed to prove the driver’s liability. This can include witness interviews, camera footage if available, police records, or traffic signal data verifying who had right of way.

If you have any photos or notes from the crash scene, that further solidifies your case. We focus on clarifying that you followed signals or exercised caution while the driver’s negligence caused the collision.

Negotiating with Insurance

Insurance adjusters might claim you stepped out without looking or that your injuries are less severe than you say. Our attorneys compile medical diagnoses, wage loss records, and any eyewitness testimony to refute these arguments.

We do everything in our power to reach a fair settlement without having to go to trial. Because of our track record of securing fair outcomes for our clients, insurance companies know we will not hesitate to go to trial to get compensation when it is due.

Litigation When Necessary

If the insurance company refuses a fair settlement, we are prepared to file a lawsuit. Our thorough preparation ensures we present credible evidence of the driver’s failure to yield or other recklessness. We will not stop until you receive the compensation you deserve.

Ongoing Support and Understanding

Being hit in a crosswalk can leave mental scars, too. We will treat you with compassion, understanding that you are not just dealing with a legal claim but a lasting trauma.

Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks aims to shoulder the legal burdens so you can focus on healing. By mixing practical negotiation and unwavering advocacy, we fight for the rights of crosswalk accident victims in West Valley City to hold negligent drivers responsible and reclaim what was taken.

Contact a West Valley City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Walking around the beautiful area of West Valley City should not be dangerous. If you have suffered injuries at a crosswalk, you don’t have to struggle alone. Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks is here to help you fight for fair compensation.

Call us at (801) 500-4000 to schedule a consultation today so we can help you move on from this traumatic event.