In the State of Wisconsin, plenty of pedestrians just like you use crosswalks to get where they need to go. However, tragedy can strike at any moment when vehicles and pedestrians share road space. Even if you are paying full attention, you may end up facing injury and bias against pedestrians.
The Star Tribune posted an article zeroing in on the issues that pedestrians face when involved in pedestrian-vehicle accidents. Primarily, it’s noted that many drivers who hit pedestrians do not face stiff charges. Even in cases that involve pedestrian death, some drivers have gotten off without so much as a traffic ticket.
In the cases that do involve charges against the driver, it’s usually because they had been behaving recklessly. Reckless behavior can include dozing at the wheel, driving while under the influence, or texting while driving. However, sometimes vehicles hit pedestrians simply because the pedestrians are difficult to see. This can be due to the height difference between a person and vehicle, due to weather limitations or darkness, or because a pedestrian makes a sudden move into the crosswalk.
It can be difficult to prove that the pedestrian was in the right of way. For this reason, many drivers who hit pedestrians aren’t held accountable for their actions, leaving the victim and their family struggling alone in the aftermath of a crash. If you have been injured in a crosswalk, you may want to contact an attorney as their legal expertise could help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
