Nebraska Personal Injury Law Firm

Pedestrians have the right of way when crossing the street within a crosswalk so long as they are obeying all traffic lights, signals, or signs present. But even then, there are some tricky exceptions.

For example, even when you are in a marked crosswalk, if you head into traffic while ignoring a red DON'T WALK signal, a driver that hits you won’t be liable for your injuries.

Anyone who crosses a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection with traffic signals, must yield the right of way to all vehicles on the roadway.

Pedestrians may not cross the street between two traffic signals when not within a marked crosswalk.

Some unmarked crosswalks are designated by the Department of Transportation (with appropriate traffic control signals) as locations where you must yield to vehicles, and not the other way around.

Additionally, a pedestrian cannot cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless traffic control devices are present and specifically allow this type of crossing.

Finally, pedestrians should never suddenly enter the path of oncoming traffic which is traveling too fast to stop in time for a pedestrian. In fact, people who have done so and were injured lost their case when they sued the driver.

So, these rules essentially tell us that pedestrians who cross the street anywhere other than an unmarked crosswalk or an intersection with traffic signals or marked crosswalk must always yield the right of way to vehicles, which means that pedestrians certainly do not always have the right of way!

An experienced personal injury attorney can help you to understand your rights. The legal process is complex and involved in a truck accident case. Often even more complex than car accidents, as there are many more regulations and laws surrounding commercial vehicles. An experienced personal injury attorney will have an understanding of these laws and can provide guidance on what to expect in the case.