Pedestrians usually end up being the losers in an auto-pedestrian accident. Rules, such as those requiring drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks, have been enacted into law in Connecticut in an effort to protect people from drivers whose failure to yield can prove deadly. Unfortunately, laws cannot prevent a person from being injured while walking on the street when drivers ignore them.
Such was the situation recently on a street in New Haven when motorist’s failure to observe a woman crossing the street resulted in her being taken to the hospital for medical treatment. According to witnesses who saw the pedestrian accident, the driver of the vehicle appeared to be looking down at his cellphone instead of looking at the road and what was happening in from of him.
The failure to observe what is going on around them is one reason many states have enacted laws making it illegal talk on a cellphone or to text and drive. A distracted driver represents a threat to other motorists and pedestrians.
A negligent driver might be responsible for the payment of compensation to a pedestrian who suffers serious injuries by being hit by the driver’s vehicle. Distracted driving, running a red light, failure to yield and running a stop sign are just a few of the circumstances under which a driver might be found by a court to be a negligent driver.
If you are a jogger or a pedestrian hit by a motor vehicle, you might be entitled to compensation. A New Haven personal injury attorney would be a good source of legal advice and guidance in such a situation.
Source: WTNH, “Pedestrian struck in New Haven,” Aug 20, 2015
