Pedestrian safety is vital on Utah roads, where diverse traffic conditions and ever-evolving infrastructure demand clear regulations and responsible behavior from everyone who shares the streets. 

At Craig Swapp & Associates, as an injury law firm in Utah, we’re dedicated to helping you understand Utah pedestrian laws and your legal rights should you ever become involved in an accident. With the support of our experienced Utah pedestrian accident lawyer, you can navigate these regulations and pursue fair compensation if you are hurt.

Because pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users, being aware of the legal framework is the first step to staying safe and protecting your rights.

In this guide, we identify and explain the fundamentals of Utah pedestrian laws, delve into specific pedestrian crossing laws, highlight essential points about Utah crosswalk laws, and discuss how accident lawyers can advocate for your best interests. 

Overview of Utah Pedestrian Laws

Utah pedestrian laws are designed to ensure that drivers and pedestrians alike practice safe, responsible behavior. These laws are largely drawn from the Utah Code and specify how pedestrians should conduct themselves on roads, sidewalks, and crosswalks, while also outlining drivers’ obligations to yield and operate with due caution. Some important principles include:

Right-of-Way at Crosswalks

Under pedestrian crossing laws, drivers in Utah must yield to pedestrians who are actively crossing in marked crosswalks. This includes both signalized and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. If a pedestrian is in the crosswalk, drivers are required to slow down or come to a stop to allow the pedestrian safe passage.

Duty to Exercise Care

Both motorists and pedestrians share a general duty to exercise care and avoid collisions. Pedestrians must not suddenly leave a place of safety (such as a curb) and enter the path of a vehicle. Likewise, drivers must remain vigilant for pedestrians, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic.

Obedience to Traffic Signals

Pedestrians should follow traffic control signals where available. For example, a “Walk” signal means it is safe to cross, while “Don’t Walk” means pedestrians should wait until it is safe to proceed. Failing to obey these signals can place pedestrians at risk and potentially weaken a personal injury claim should an accident occur.

Sidewalk Use

If sidewalks are provided, pedestrians are generally required to use them rather than walking on the roadway. If there is no sidewalk, Utah pedestrian laws often require pedestrians to walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic, to reduce the risk of being struck.

Understanding these regulations helps both drivers and pedestrians foster a safer environment. However, even with clear statutes in place, accidents still happen due to driver inattention, speeding, or other forms of negligence. When these accidents occur, victims may benefit from the help of an accident attorney to secure proper compensation for their injuries.

Pedestrian Crossing Laws

Pedestrian crossing laws in Utah are designed to keep everyone aware of their responsibilities. 

The objective is to prevent accidents through predictability and clarity:

Crossing at Signalized Intersections

Pedestrians should cross only when the signal indicates “Walk.” If it starts flashing “Don’t Walk” or changes to a solid “Don’t Walk,” pedestrians should not enter the crosswalk.

Crossing at Unmarked Intersections

Even if a crosswalk is not painted on the road, pedestrians typically still have the right-of-way at intersections where crosswalks would logically exist. Drivers are required to yield if a pedestrian has already begun crossing.

Jaywalking Provisions

Utah pedestrian crossing law discourages crossing mid-block where there is no crosswalk. While it may not always be a criminal offense, mid-block crossings without caution can significantly compromise pedestrian safety and complicate potential personal injury claims.

Because collisions often result from misunderstandings about these rules, a qualified Utah pedestrian accident lawyer can investigate whether all parties observed the proper right-of-way if you are hurt in a crash. To read more about Utah crosswalk laws, take a look here.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Despite stringent Utah pedestrian safety laws, pedestrian accidents can still occur in various scenarios. 

Common contributing factors include:

  • Distracted Driving: Drivers who are texting, eating, or otherwise preoccupied may fail to notice a pedestrian in a crosswalk or stepping off a curb.
  • Speeding: Higher speeds reduce a driver’s reaction time and increase the severity of injuries if an impact occurs.
  • Failure to Yield: Some drivers may ignore or misunderstand the requirement to yield to pedestrians at both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
  • Impaired Driving: Whether due to alcohol, drugs, or fatigue, impaired driving remains a leading cause of pedestrian accidents.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident caused by any of these factors, consulting a Utah pedestrian accident lawyer should be a priority. Legal counsel can help collect crucial evidence – such as traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports – that illustrate a driver’s fault.

Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents

Due to the sheer vulnerability of someone on foot when struck by a moving vehicle, pedestrian accidents often result in severe or life-altering injuries. Even at relatively low speeds, the weight and momentum of a car, truck, or motorcycle can inflict considerable harm. 

Some of the most common injuries include:

  • Head and Brain Injuries: Pedestrians can strike their heads on pavement, vehicle exteriors, or surrounding objects. These impacts may lead to concussions, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can cause cognitive impairment, mood changes, and difficulty with everyday tasks.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: Whiplash, herniated discs, and more severe spinal cord injuries are possible when a pedestrian is hit. Damage to the spine can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and even permanent paralysis, depending on the severity and location of the injury.
  • Broken Bones and Fractures: The force of a collision commonly results in broken bones in the legs, arms, ribs, or pelvis. Recovering from such injuries can involve extensive medical treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and physical therapy.
  • Soft Tissue Damage: Torn ligaments, sprains, strains, and bruising may appear minor compared to other injuries but can still cause debilitating pain and long-term limitations. Such injuries often require ongoing medical attention and specialized therapy.
  • Cuts, Lacerations, and Road Rash: Contact with rough pavement, shattered glass, or sharp vehicle parts can lead to lacerations and abrasions. These injuries can lead to infections, scarring, and prolonged discomfort if not properly cared for.

In the aftermath of a pedestrian accident, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries do not appear severe at first. A thorough evaluation will help identify any internal damage and create a record necessary for insurance and legal proceedings.

Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident

If you or someone you know is involved in an accident under any of the Utah pedestrian laws discussed, the following steps can help safeguard health, well-being, and legal options:

  1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health is paramount. Even if you feel relatively unhurt, some injuries take time to manifest.
  2. Report the Incident: Call the police to have an official accident report filed. This record can become a critical piece of evidence if you pursue a claim.
  3. Document the Scene: Take photographs of any visible injuries, damage to personal belongings, and the location of the accident. Note environmental conditions, such as poor lighting or road hazards.
  4. Collect Information: Exchange details with the driver, including license plate number, insurance details, and driver’s license information. Also, gather contact information from witnesses.
  5. Consult an Accident Attorney: To protect your rights fully, consider contacting an accident attorney. An attorney can help evaluate the strength of your claim, guide you through insurance negotiations, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit on your behalf.

Determining Liability in Pedestrian Accidents

When someone is injured in a pedestrian accident, determining liability is often a matter of analyzing whether the driver breached traffic rules or acted negligently. 

Under Utah pedestrian safety law, pedestrians must also abide by relevant safety rules. If a pedestrian’s own negligence played a role in the accident, it may affect the amount of compensation they can recover, following Utah’s comparative fault standards.

Some key legal aspects include:

  • Duty of Care: Drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely. Pedestrians also have a duty to act reasonably for their own safety.
  • Breach of Duty: If a driver fails to yield at a crosswalk, is speeding, or drives under the influence, that driver may have breached their duty of care.
  • Causation: The breach must be shown to be the direct cause of the accident and the pedestrian’s resulting injuries.
  • Damages: If the breach is established, the injured pedestrian may seek damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Pedestrian accident lawyers can help prove each element necessary to obtain a fair settlement or verdict. 

Legal Compensation in Pedestrian Accidents

When a pedestrian is struck by a negligent driver, that driver (or their insurance company) may be held responsible for covering the injured person’s losses. 

Depending on the severity of the crash, the nature of the injuries, and the level of negligence involved, a variety of damages may be awarded:

  • Medical Expenses: This category encompasses the costs of hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, medication, and any future medical needs. Because injuries can lead to long-term health complications, it is essential to account for ongoing treatment in any settlement or verdict.
  • Lost Wages and Future Earnings: If your injuries prevent you from working or force you to reduce your hours or change jobs, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income. Serious injuries sometimes permanently reduce your earning potential, and this should be factored into any claim.
  • Pain and Suffering: Beyond physical injuries, pedestrians may suffer from mental anguish, emotional distress, or a diminished quality of life. While these losses do not come with a specific bill or receipt, they are still legitimate damages for which you can receive compensation.
  • Property Damage: Although less common in pedestrian collisions, you may still claim losses for damaged personal property if they were destroyed or significantly harmed in the accident.
  • Punitive Damages: In egregious cases – such as when a driver is found to be reckless or driving under the influence – courts may award punitive damages to penalize the at-fault driver. These damages are meant to deter particularly dangerous behavior in the future.

A thorough analysis of each loss category will help determine the total value of a case.

Hiring a Utah Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Hiring an accident attorney is not only about negotiation and legal filings – it’s about peace of mind. 

After sustaining serious injuries, you deserve the support of legal professionals who can:

  • Investigate the Incident: From collecting traffic camera footage to reconstructing the accident scene, your lawyer gathers vital evidence.
  • Establish Liability: They will analyze how pedestrian crossing laws and Utah crosswalk laws apply to your case, proving negligence where it exists.
  • Negotiate with Insurance: Insurance companies frequently aim to minimize payout. A skilled Utah pedestrian accident lawyer can help secure a settlement that reflects the full extent of your losses.
  • Represent You in Court: If the case proceeds to litigation, your attorney will advocate for you in front of a judge or jury, presenting a strong argument that details the driver’s fault and the extent of your damages.

Many individuals worry about the financial implications of hiring legal counsel, but reputable pedestrian accident lawyers often work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no fees unless a favorable settlement or verdict is achieved.

Protecting Your Rights After Getting Injured

Pedestrian safety is everyone’s responsibility. By respecting Utah pedestrian laws, practicing sound judgment when crossing the street, and staying alert while driving, we can reduce the risks faced by people on foot. However, accidents caused by driver negligence do happen, and when they do, it’s crucial to have the right accident attorney on your side. 

If you or a family member has been injured in a pedestrian accident and need guidance under Utah crosswalk laws or pedestrian crossing laws, Craig Swapp & Associates is here to help you navigate complex insurance negotiations and potential lawsuits and pursue the compensation you deserve. 

Call our office today at 800-404-9000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

Written By: Ryan Swapp     Legal Review By: Craig Swapp