Pedestrians on highways: Risks and rights
When you’re a pedestrian, it’s usually a bad idea to enter a highway without a reason. Sometimes, people are on the highway because of a vehicle that has broken down or because they need to do work on the roads. These individuals are in danger every moment they’re around the high-speed roadway. If even one driver isn’t paying attention, it could mean a fatal accident.
There are cases when pedestrians injured on the highways may be entitled to compensation. Any time a driver causes an accident, he or she could be accused of negligence by the pedestrian. For example, if a person is on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck and another driver hits him or her, the driver who struck him may be liable since he or she was not in the lane. Additionally, if a highway defect is responsible for a
Why do pedestrians end up on the highway?
There are a number of reasons. First, crossing the highway may be the only way to get across. Most of the time, no pedestrians are allowed on highways for that purpose, but it would be common to see a pedestrian cross the entrance ramp if it is in a residential or populated area. One might even have a crosswalk if it starts at an intersection.
Pedestrians might also be on the highway if their vehicles broke down, if there has been a crash or if they are working on their vehicles.
If you are on the highway legally and are hit by a driver, you have rights. Your pedestrian accident attorney can help you pursue a claim.
Source: FindLaw, “Pedestrian Accidents on Interstate Highways,” accessed June 26, 2017