What Are the Rules and Rights for Pedestrians and Drivers?
When it comes to the rules of the road, both pedestrians and drivers have responsibilities to keep everyone safe.
In West Virginia, if you’re walking across an intersection, regardless of whether there is a designated crosswalk, you have the right of way. Drivers are obligated to stop for you.
That doesn’t mean they always do. Distracted driving is a serious problem, especially now that everyone has a smartphone.
And while pedestrians who don’t use crosswalks are supposed to yield to moving vehicles, you may still be able to seek compensation when a driver hits you.
It takes legal skill to fully assess where your rights start and end after a pedestrian accident. West Virginia is a comparative negligence state, meaning that if you bear some responsibility, the compensation you collect may be less.
Shaffer & Shaffer fights for your financial recovery after a vehicle crash. We collect police reports, examine the accident scene, collect evidence, gather the details of the accident’s impact on your life, and put together a winning personal injury claim.
It costs you nothing to talk to us. In fact, you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.
What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident
West Virginia is an especially dangerous place for traffic. A survey published in Forbes ranks it among the top 10 worst states for bad behavior on the road.
This is especially worrisome for pedestrians vulnerable to injuries from vehicles.
When you’ve been hit by a moving vehicle, the trauma is terrifying. Take these steps to protect your health and your rights:
- Make sure you’re safe. If you can get out of the roadway, do so as quickly as possible.
- Seek immediate medical attention. The sooner you get help, the better your chances of minimizing long-term injuries
- Call the police. You’ll want an official account of what happened.
- Take photos. If you can access a phone, get photos of the accident scene as soon as possible.
- Never admit fault. That’s for a judge to decide.
- Contact your insurance company to report the incident, but don’t negotiate a settlement until you have a lawyer look at it.
- Contact a West Virginia pedestrian accident attorney.
Shaffer & Shaffer has helped thousands of injured West Virginians after car crashes. We’ve seen traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, lacerations,
internal injuries, spinal injuries, post-traumatic stress and more.
Our Charleston pedestrian accident lawyers know the rules, laws, and regulations that determine who’s at fault after a collision and what kinds of compensation you can receive. We help you figure out how to build a strong case so you can move past this trauma.
Whether you live in West Virginia or were injured in a pedestrian accident while visiting the Mountain State, we can help.
We stake our reputation on treating all our clients with care, compassion and commitment to their case.
Shaffer & You: Why Work with Us?
Everyday West Virginians can get legal help from one of the most established and respected law firms in the state: Shaffer & Shaffer. Our firm is over a century old and still going strong because we put the needs of our clients first—always.
West Virginia lawyers Ryan Walters and Chip Shaffer in the office at Shaffer & Shaffer.
Have a Question about Personal Injury Claims?
After a life-altering accident, you’re understandably upset, confused and full of questions. To help you get a sense of what’s next, we’ve prepared answers to common questions about personal injury claims and other legal cases.
Injury FAQs »
