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No Win, No Fee
Every year, pedestrian accidents account for nearly 15% of all traffic-related fatalities in Utah. In Salt Lake City, accidents involving pedestrians have increased due to heavy foot traffic and distracted driving. At Reshlaw Accident & Injury, our Utah pedestrian accident attorneys fight for your rights and help you recover what you've lost.
Understanding pedestrian rights in Utah is essential for your safety and your legal protection. If a driver ignores pedestrian signals or fails to obey traffic laws, they could cause serious injuries. We help victims like you seek fair compensation and hold negligent drivers accountable. Pedestrian safety isn’t just about awareness. It’s about enforcing your rights and making sure others respect them.
Utah law gives you important protections when you're walking on or near a road. Whether you're in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, drivers must yield. Still, many pedestrian-involved accidents happen because drivers ignore traffic control signals or fail to make a complete stop near adjacent intersections.
Utah Code §41-6a-1002 requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to you when you’re crossing the street legally. Another law, §41-6a-1003, outlines jaywalking restrictions. These pedestrian laws aim to prevent accidents and protect you from serious harm. When a driver fails to follow these rules, you may have a strong pedestrian accident case. You also have legal protections in areas where school crosswalks or emergency vehicles are present.
Drivers must stop when they’re at a pedestrian crossing or designated crosswalk. This includes marked or unmarked crosswalks and school crosswalks. They also must stop if you're walking near emergency vehicles or through heavy traffic areas.
If the vehicle stopped too late or failed to yield, the at-fault driver can be held responsible. Obeying pedestrian signals and traffic signals is not just courteous—it’s the law. Drivers must take extra care in areas with heavy foot traffic, especially where children or older pedestrians may be present.
Marked and unmarked crosswalks are both legally protected. Even without painted lines, intersections can still be considered crosswalks under Utah law. Drivers often miss these rules, especially when they have poor visibility or are distracted.
Utah pedestrian accident cases often involve drivers ignoring a pedestrian crossing. These violations put lives in danger and cause life-altering injuries. Knowing where you can safely walk helps prevent accidents and build stronger claims when something goes wrong.
Jaywalking doesn’t automatically disqualify you from seeking compensation. Utah uses a comparative fault system. If you’re less than 50% responsible, you can still recover damages.
If you cross outside a designated crosswalk and are found partially at fault, your total compensation may be reduced by your share of the blame. Still, the negligent driver remains responsible for their part in the accident. Proving fault is key, even in cases involving jaywalking.
Many Utah pedestrian accidents happen because drivers fail to follow traffic laws. Speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving are the leading causes of pedestrian injury. Failing to yield, ignoring traffic signals, or not watching for pedestrians in high-traffic areas all increase risk.
Even if you made a mistake, such as crossing at an unmarked crosswalk, you could still pursue a claim. Legal representation helps you understand your options and prove the driver’s fault. Our goal is to hold them accountable and help them focus on healing.
Here are common violations that lead to pedestrian injuries:
Distracted driving (texting, calls, GPS use)
Speeding through school crosswalks or neighborhoods
Ignoring pedestrian signals or traffic control signals
Failing to yield to a pedestrian at a designated crosswalk
Passing a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian
These behaviors often result in broken bones, head trauma, internal injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Any of these can result in long-term complications or emotional distress.
A negligent driver may speed through heavy foot traffic, ignore a complete stop at a pedestrian crossing, or pass another vehicle stopped for a pedestrian. These acts breach their duty of care and put lives at risk.
When an accident happens, medical records, police reports, and witness statements help prove fault. We gather evidence to support your case and show how the driver’s actions caused the pedestrian accident. Our legal team works to uncover all possible violations.
If you’re hit by a car, act quickly. Your health and legal case depend on it. Seek immediate medical attention and talk to a Utah pedestrian accident attorney who can guide you through the legal process.
At Reshlaw, we offer a free case evaluation to help you get started. We also help family members who are supporting an injured loved one.
Follow these steps to protect your pedestrian accident case:
Call 911.
Get checked by a medical professional, even if you feel okay.
Take photos of the accident scene, pedestrian crossing signs, and traffic signals.
Gather contact info from other pedestrians and witnesses.
Avoid speaking to insurance companies without a lawyer.
Delays can affect your claim, especially with internal injuries or emotional trauma.
Always ask for a police report. Officers can document the driver’s behavior, traffic laws violated, and other vehicle involvement. Be honest, but avoid blaming yourself.
This report becomes crucial evidence for proving negligence and securing a fair settlement. It helps establish fault and strengthens your case.
Evidence to collect includes:
Medical bills and doctor’s notes
Photos of your injuries and the vehicle
Skid marks, unmarked crosswalks, and traffic signals
Surveillance videos from nearby cameras
Witness statements and contact details
We help gather this information to build a strong pedestrian accident claim. Gathering evidence early improves your chance of full recovery.
To win your case, we must prove the driver was mostly at fault. That means showing they ignored pedestrian laws, drove recklessly, or didn’t stop when required. If you're found to be more than 50% at fault, you can't receive compensation under Utah law.
We help establish that the pedestrian accident was caused by another person’s actions, not yours.
We collect:
Witness statements
Police reports
Medical records
Traffic citations
Cell phone records
Surveillance footage
This evidence helps show that the driver failed to obey traffic signals or other traffic laws. It also highlights any immediate hazard they created by failing to remain vigilant.
If you're partly responsible, your payout is reduced. Let’s say you're 30% at fault. If your damages are $100,000, you receive $70,000.
Our goal is to minimize your share of fault by showing how the at-fault driver caused the accident. We present facts clearly and ensure your side is heard.
Distracted driving is one of the top reasons for pedestrian-involved crashes. Utah law prohibits phone use while driving to help reduce these incidents.
When a distracted driver causes pedestrian accidents, phone records and witness statements become critical in proving liability.
Drivers using phones are more likely to ignore a stopped vehicle or traffic control signals. These moments lead to spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, or even fatalities.
Phone records can show the exact time the driver was distracted, supporting your case. It can also show a pattern of unsafe behavior.
Utah Code §41-6a-1716 bans texting and other distractions while driving. If a driver breaks this law and causes a pedestrian accident caused by distracted driving, they can face fines, license points, and liability in civil court.
Breaking these rules proves that the driver failed to obey pedestrian laws and created an immediate hazard, especially near a marked crosswalk. Understanding these dangers helps pedestrians and drivers alike avoid accidents and stay safe on Utah roads.
When pedestrian rights are violated, you may be entitled to a fair settlement. We help you claim damages for medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress. Some injuries may require lifelong care, including therapy or home modifications.
Usually, the at-fault driver’s insurance pays first. Your health insurance may cover initial costs, but you may seek reimbursement later. This process is complex, but we handle these legal complexities for you.
If needed, we also work with medical providers to delay billing while your case is active. This helps reduce financial pressure as your claim moves forward.
If you miss work, you can recover lost wages. We collect pay stubs and notes from your medical professional to prove the time missed was related to the accident.
Some clients also experience long-term disability. In those cases, we consult experts to estimate future lost income.
Pain and suffering include physical pain, mental health issues, and emotional distress. These damages are based on your financial losses and overall trauma.
Life-altering injuries deserve full consideration. We fight for compensation that reflects the true impact on your life. This also includes PTSD, anxiety, and loss of quality of life.
Pedestrian accidents involve legal complexities, and insurance companies often try to limit what they pay. We step in to fight back. Our team understands how to handle Utah pedestrian accident claims from start to finish.
With us, you get aggressive legal representation focused on results. We manage everything from gathering evidence to proving negligence.
We start with a free initial consultation. Then, we gather evidence, consult medical experts, and send demand letters to the insurance companies. If needed, we will go to court. We work to prove the pedestrian accident was caused by the at-fault driver’s negligence and not your actions.
Our law firm has recovered millions for Utah pedestrian victims. With every case, we focus on maximum compensation and fair results. We understand traffic laws and pedestrian laws and how to avoid mistakes that could hurt your claim. Let us handle the legal side while you recover.
Utah has a four-year deadline to file your personal injury claim. That may seem like plenty of time, but waiting can hurt your case. Evidence fades, and insurance companies delay.
Call Reshlaw Accident & Injury today. We offer a free consultation to help you understand your rights. Whether it’s gathering evidence, proving fault, or fighting for a fair settlement, we’ve got you. We’re ready to help you move forward. Contact us now for your free initial consultation.
