Handling Pedestrian Accidents In Connecticut

Vehicle drivers are responsible for following all of the rules of the road that pertain to pedestrians and owe them a duty of care. This means that drivers are to always use caution and watch for pedestrians, especially in areas where the number of pedestrians is higher. However, this is the case everywhere, even if someone is jogging on the side of the road in a less populated area. Drivers need to be careful in passing a pedestrian, giving as wide a berth as possible to ensure safety of the pedestrian, and must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Speeding, failure to yield, distracted driving, drunk driving and driving too aggressively in poor weather conditions are just some of the types of driver negligence that can cause a pedestrian-auto accident.

Pedestrians typically have the right of way but also must follow rules themselves. If a pedestrian was negligent and as a result became injured due to their own negligence, then a case cannot be brought against the driver in the collision. If the driver was injured, he or she may bring a case against the negligent pedestrian if the pedestrian was not within the bounds of a marked crosswalk, entered traffic suddenly and disrupted the flow of the vehicles, suddenly stepped out or ran out in front of a vehicle, or ignored the lighted "walk" sign at an intersection or other negligent actions.