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The only truly free form of transportation—walking—is accessible to almost everyone. It should be safe. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents remain a serious concern throughout the area.
Understanding traffic laws for Pinellas Park pedestrians is essential. These rules protect you by ensuring the safe interaction between walkers, cyclists, and drivers. If you are involved in a pedestrian accident, knowing these laws may also affect your ability to recover compensation. A knowledgeable attorney from Herman & Wells can guide you through your legal options.
There are specific rules for when pedestrians have the right-of-way and when they must yield to vehicles.
Pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked crosswalks when traffic control signals are not in place under Fla. Stat. 316.130(7)(c). Although pedestrians must obey all traffic control devices under Fla. Stat. 316.130(1) and may not suddenly leave a curb or walk or run into the path of a vehicle, 316.130(8), drivers in Pinellas County routinely violate traffic laws, and the consequences are much higher for pedestrians.
Because pedestrians must obey traffic control devices, when a Do Not Walk signal is active, crossing is prohibited. Pedestrians must use sidewalks when available. If not available, they should walk facing oncoming traffic, using the shoulder and sticking as far to the left of the road as possible. Violating these rules not only increases the chance of an accident—it can also reduce a pedestrian’s chance of recovering damages in an injury case.
While pedestrians in Pinellas Park must follow traffic laws, they do not have to pass a test to show that they have mastered the rules of the road before walking. Drivers do have to pass a test, and traffic laws provide specific guidelines for drivers who are near pedestrians.
Drivers must yield at crosswalks. Florida Statutes § 316.130 states that drivers must stop when a pedestrian is in the crosswalk and must not overtake another vehicle stopped for a pedestrian.
Turning drivers must check for pedestrians before crossing sidewalks or entering intersections. Even if a pedestrian is not in a crosswalk, drivers are legally obligated to avoid striking them if reasonably possible. Failure to uphold these responsibilities may be considered negligence in a personal injury case.
Pedestrian accidents in Pinellas County often occur due to violations of these traffic laws by either the driver or the pedestrian.
Common violations include:
These violations can lead to serious injuries or fatalities, especially in areas with poor lighting or heavy traffic. In legal cases, courts and insurance companies will consider whether either party violated a traffic law and how that impacted the accident.
Under Florida’s comparative negligence rule, if you are found partially responsible for the crash, it may reduce your compensation. For instance, if a pedestrian were jaywalking and struck by a speeding car, each party’s actions would be evaluated by a jury to determine apportionment of fault.
Following pedestrian traffic laws is not only a legal requirement in Pinellas Park—it is also a key step in keeping yourself safe.
Here are a few tips:
These simple precautions, combined with a solid understanding of traffic laws, can help reduce your risk of being injured.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, your knowledge of local traffic laws can play a crucial role in your case. Even if you followed all of the rules, a negligent driver may still try to avoid responsibility.
The team at Herman & Wells understands traffic laws for Pinellas Park pedestrians. We can help you by investigating, gathering evidence, and building a case that supports your right to compensation. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
