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Crosswalks in Oak Lawn are considered to be areas on which it is safe for pedestrians to cross a street. Many crosswalks are labeled with distinct paint. Others do not have any markings but still constitute a crosswalk. Crosswalks can be found at most major intersections in Oak Lawn, though they are less common on side roads. Additionally, a pedestrian still has the right to cross the street at an intersection, even if there is no designated crosswalk. The only exception to this would be if there were specific signs prohibiting a pedestrian to cross at that location.
There are many regulations concerning crosswalks. Some are from the State of Illinois, which dictate where crosswalks can be placed as well as the rights of a pedestrian on crosswalks. There are also traffic laws that govern vehicles as they approach crosswalks. Each of these is responsible for regulating crosswalk behavior. A knowledgeable pedestrian accident lawyer could help injured claimants understand how the laws regarding crosswalks could affect their case. Speak to an attorney to learn about the nuances of crosswalks in Oak Lawn pedestrian accident cases.
Pedestrians typically have the right of way on crosswalks, but they should also obey traffic control devices. A pedestrian should only cross on a crosswalk when it is safe to do so. In certain circumstances, drivers may be responsible for allowing people to cross crosswalks if there are no traffic control devices present. Even if a pedestrian has the right of way, it is still important to exercise reasonable care for their own safety.
Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians on crosswalks who have the right of way However, drivers have the right to operate their vehicles in accordance with other traffic laws. If a traffic control device gives the right of way to a driver, the pedestrian should yield even if there is a crosswalk.
Well-marked crosswalks should signal to drivers that they should exercise extra care when approaching the area. Crosswalks also inform drivers about who has the right of way on the crosswalk; pedestrians often have the right of way on crosswalks, provided they are obeying any traffic control devices.
Simply being entitled to the right of way on a crosswalk is not enough to absolve a pedestrian of any negligence or responsibility for an accident. Pedestrians should be aware of their surroundings for their own safety. A jury may consider whether or not a pedestrian was partially at fault for an accident, which is called contributory negligence.
An accident does not need to be 100 percent the fault of a single party. It may be a combination of fault between two parties. If a pedestrian is not paying attention while walking through crosswalks, even if they have the right of way, a jury may find them partially responsible for their own injuries.
Let a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Help
Like many accidents, pedestrian accidents in or around crosswalks often stem from inattention. A pedestrian might not be paying attention as they cross the street, or a driver might not be distracted as they approach the crosswalk. If one does not see the other, the chances of an accident occurring increase dramatically. When a motorist fails to pay attention to the road and hits a pedestrian, they could be held liable for damages. Speak to an attorney to learn about the role of crosswalks in Oak Lawn pedestrian accident cases. Call today.