How Do Dangerous Crosswalks Put Pedestrians at Risk? 

While crosswalks are designed to protect pedestrians, we have seen far too often that design flaws, visibility issues, inadequate lighting, and other factors can actually put pedestrians at a greater risk of injury or death.

Understanding how pedestrian accidents occur can help you determine whether you have grounds for legal action by filing a claim with the insurance company or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. Here is more about how dangerous crosswalks put pedestrians at risk and what you can do to recover the compensation you are entitled to if someone else’s negligence contributes to your injuries.

What Makes a Crosswalk Dangerous?

The yellow and white painted markings on the roadways are often designated areas for pedestrians to cross the road safely. When in crosswalks, pedestrians generally have the right of way per General Laws Part I, Title XIV, Chapter 89, Section 11. Unfortunately, negligent drivers are not the only cause of pedestrian accident injuries. In fact, in some cases, the crosswalk itself is dangerous, particularly if the intersection is uncontrolled.

Any situation in which a property creates a serious risk of injury to another despite the property being used as is reasonably foreseeable could be deemed dangerous. Some examples of hazards involving pedestrian crosswalks include:

• Speed of traffic
• Inadequate lighting
• Improper placement of crosswalks
• Visibility problems
• Inappropriate or lack of use of traffic control devices
• Lack of stop signs or traffic lights

Crosswalks may also be considered dangerous if there are multiple instances of pedestrian versus car accidents at any particular crosswalk. We will need to determine whether a particular intersection should have been declared dangerous by government officials to complete our investigation and identify the liable party.

Other Ways Crosswalks Put Pedestrians At Risk

Pedestrians should be able to safely cross the street when they have the right of way. Unfortunately, there are multiple factors that can create dangerous conditions in crosswalks, per the U.S. Federal Highway Administration. Some examples of other factors that could also make crosswalks particularly dangerous for pedestrians include:

• Crosswalks placed near multiple lanes of traffic
• Pedestrian demographics
• Bus stops that obstruct visibility
• Behavior of pedestrians most likely to use these crosswalks
• Lack of sufficient crosswalk signs

Government agencies and municipalities have an obligation to ensure crosswalks are safe for pedestrians at all times. When collisions occur, steps should be taken to narrow roadways, add traffic control devices, enhance pedestrian crossing warning signs, or even install lighting treatments. If the appropriate agencies failed to do so, you might hire a traffic engineer to review the crosswalk in your case and potentially testify on your behalf during your personal injury lawsuit.

Consult a Premier Pedestrian Accident Attorney for Clarity and Legal Support Today

If you have been seriously injured while crossing in a crosswalk, you may be anxious to find out whether someone else is at fault and what you can do about it. You should not be stuck covering any of the costs associated with your injuries if another party is to blame. Explore your options for financial relief further when you contact a reputable Boston pedestrian accident lawyer from The Cashman Law Firm.

Our firm is currently offering free consultations to pedestrian accident victims and surviving family members across Boston and surrounding neighborhoods. Claim your case evaluation when you fill out our convenient contact form or call our office to get started on your insurance and civil claims as soon as today.