When you cross the street at an intersection, there may be a bit of a delay in the timing between the walk signal and the red light. In some cases, this can put you in danger as a pedestrian.
Drivers can turn into a crosswalk without realizing pedestrians are there
The issue is that drivers are allowed to stop, look at traffic and turn right on a red light. They should, in theory, also look at the crosswalk. However, many do not do so or do not understand what it means when a pedestrian doesn’t walk immediately.
For example, say you get to the intersection and wait as traffic goes through on a green light. That light then turns red, and cars begin to stop. However, since some drivers are still allowed to turn left on a green arrow, the walk signal does not light up yet. You continue to wait.
A driver who is now waiting at the red light sees you on the sidewalk. They expect you to cross the road when their light is red, and they fail to look at the pedestrian signals. When you don’t immediately enter the road, they start rolling forward to make the right turn.
That, of course, is when you get the signal that you’re allowed to cross. That driver needs to yield to you before turning but, in their mind, you’re not moving and so they can turn. As you step into the road, they look to the left — away from you — and then turn when there is no oncoming traffic. You get hit before they even know you’re there.
Serious injures can happen when pedestrians and vehicles collide
All it takes is one simple mistake by a driver to leave you with serious injuries. If you’ve been injured by a driver who jumped the gun and turned into your path when you were trying to cross the street, you may have a right to financial compensation.
