Legal Rights for Pedestrians After a Crosswalk Accident

Being struck by a vehicle while walking through a crosswalk leaves you in a difficult position. You did everything right—used the designated crossing, followed the signals—but now, you’re the one facing injuries, missed work, and questions about what happens next. Utah law recognizes that pedestrians deserve strong protections, and those protections extend well beyond the moment that you stepped off the curb.

The Right of Way You Had as a Pedestrian in the Crosswalk

According to Utah Code § 41-6a-1002, drivers must yield to pedestrians lawfully crossing within a crosswalk. When you are on the driver’s side of the roadway or approaching closely enough from the opposite side to be in danger, the driver is required to slow down or stop. The law also forbids other vehicles from passing a car that has stopped at a crosswalk to let someone cross. If a driver ignored these duties when you were struck, that failure carries significant weight in establishing fault.

The Right to Hold the At-Fault Driver Accountable

Utah operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means that your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage generally pays for your initial medical treatment regardless of who caused the crash. Once your medical costs exceed PIP limits, or when your injuries meet Utah’s threshold for severity, you gain the right to pursue a claim directly against the driver who hit you. You can file a claim with the driver’s liability insurance policy or a personal injury lawsuit against them in court.

The Right to Recover Compensation for Your Damages

When you pursue a crosswalk accident claim, you have the right to be paid for every loss the crash caused you. That includes past and future medical bills, physical therapy, prescription costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to work, and out-of-pocket expenses like transportation to appointments. You can also recover for non-economic damages, such as physical pain, emotional distress, scarring, and the loss of activities you can no longer enjoy.

The Right to Reject or Negotiate an Inadequate Settlement Offer

The first offer an insurance company makes is rarely the best one. You are not required to accept it, and you should not sign anything until you know what your case is actually worth. Your lawyer can review the offer against the full scope of your damages, gather the medical records and wage documentation needed to support a higher figure, and counter the insurer with a demand that reflects what your claim is truly worth.

The Right to File a Lawsuit If the Insurer Doesn’t Treat You Fairly

If the insurer refuses to negotiate fairly, delays your claim, or denies it outright, you can take the matter to court. In Utah, you generally have four years from the date of the crosswalk accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit often pushes the insurer back to the table with a serious offer, and if it doesn’t, a jury can decide what your injuries are worth.

Talk to a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer About Protecting Your Rights

Every day after a crosswalk accident matters. Evidence fades, witnesses move on, deadlines tick closer, and insurance adjusters work quickly to lock you into a low offer. Speaking with a Salt Lake City pedestrian accident attorney early protects your claim from the moment you make the call. Contact a lawyer today to start building your case.