When do pedestrians have the right of way?

There are many different ways that people in Seattle get from one place to another. People drive cars or other types of vehicles., ride busses and other forms of public transportation, ride bicycles, motorcycles and other forms of transportation. One of these other forms of transportation is walking. This is something that people need to do to reach their final destination no matter what mode of transportation they used to get most of the way there.

This means that people will need to walk across the street or through a parking lot to get to the store, restaurant or other business they may be going to. When they do this, they will need to interact with the other vehicles on the roads or in the parking lots. The safety of pedestrians is very important though and therefore there are laws which govern when the vehicles must yield to pedestrians.

Pedestrian Laws in Seattle

Pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks and in crosswalks, but pedestrians must still obey traffic control devices when they are present. Pedestrians also have the right of way at any intersection whether there is a designated crosswalk or not at the intersection. Pedestrians must yield to vehicles though if they are crossing the street at any other point besides an intersection. Also, they cannot enter traffic if they cannot provide a vehicle enough time to be able to stop for them.

People walk throughout Seattle every day and it is important that vehicles pay attention to them and yield to them when they have the right of way. However, vehicles do not always yield to them and may cause pedestrian accidents. When this occurs the pedestrian can suffer severe injuries as pedestrian have very little protection and vehicles are so much larger. The injuries can be very costly in addition to causing significant physical problems. Pedestrians may be entitled to compensation for the damages they suffer though and consulting with an experienced attorney could be beneficial.

Matthew D. Dubin

Matthew D. Dubin has represented injured people throughout Washington since 1995. He is the founding attorney of Dubin Law Group and focuses his practice on personal injury claims involving motor vehicle accidents, dangerous products, premises liability, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death.

Education

• License Number: 25378
• University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington – J.D.
• Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut – B.A.

request free consultation call us at (206) 800-8000