Walking along a roadway can be a dangerous habit, especially at night when it is hard to see. In Louisiana, pedestrians must yield to cars when crossing the street outside of the crosswalks. So it is important to always avoid making this mistake, and others, that could put you at risk for an injury.
We recommend taking a few minutes to read this blog. You will learn the best ways to stay safe around motor vehicles as a pedestrian. Then, discover what to do if you get hurt and need to file a personal injury lawsuit.
The city’s sidewalks are there to help keep people safe from traffic. That is why pedestrians must always stay on the sidewalk, if one is available. People should remember to avoid leaving the curb or suddenly jumping into the street in front of a moving vehicle, so they do not get hit by a car accidentally.
If the road does not have a sidewalk, Louisiana’s law RS 32:216 requires pedestrians to walk on the left side of the road. This practice allows walkers to see and react to traffic, so they can avoid inadvertently walking into the path of an oncoming motorist.
Pedestrians must always yield to traffic when traversing a street, also called jaywalking, anywhere other than a marked crossing. However, according to RS 32:212, they do have the right of way in a designated crosswalk. If there are no traffic signs or they are not working at the time, drivers must always stop their cars to allow walkers to travel across the street safely. However, remember that people are not permitted to walk across the highway, except during an emergency.
Louisiana presently operates on a comparative fault system. This means that both the driver and the pedestrian could potentially share responsibility for causing an accident determined by their percentages of fault If the person walking along the street is found more than half at fault for the crash, they may not be able to collect full compensation for their injuries. That is why it is important to follow our advice and stay safe around motor vehicles.
Kopfler and Hermann has personal injury attorneys to represent you when you are hurt and need financial help. Our goal is to make sure you get fairly compensated for your injuries, including as a pedestrian hit by a vehicle. Contact our team of skilled pedestrian accident attorneys today to discuss your unique case and how we can help you recover your damages.
