CAR REQUIRED TO STOP AT CROSSWALK
Here is the Minnesota Crosswalk Law for cars and pedestrians.
Minnesota Statute Sec. 169.21, Subd. 2. Rights in absence of signal.
(a) Where traffic-control signals are not in place or in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall stop to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk. The driver must remain stopped until the pedestrian has passed the lane in which the vehicle is stopped. No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. This provision shall not apply under the conditions as otherwise provided in this subdivision.
(b) When any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
The requirement to stop at a stop sign is obvious. However, even without a stop sign, a car must stop for people in a crosswalk. Our lawyers frequently represent people hit by a car in the crosswalk. Most of the time, the driver is distracted or doesn’t realize there is a crosswalk. However, sometimes the pedestrian is distracted by using their phone while walking.
INJURED FROM BEING HIT BY CAR IN CROSSWALK
Not surprisingly, the injuries are serious when a car hits someone. The pedestrian is impacted by the car and then the street. In fact, many of our cases involve broken bones requiring surgery. For example, a broken hip or broken leg. In addition, we frequently get cases involving concussion and brain injury.
The medical bills from this type of accident can be significant. Fortunately, there is always at least some insurance coverage to help. The person walking in the crosswalk will have access to their own auto insurance first. Even though you were not in a car, your auto insurance will cover you if you were hit by a car.If you do not have car insurance, the insurance for the car that hit you will pay. If that car is uninsured, there is Minnesota state auto insurance that will apply.
The initial ‘No-Fault’ insurance means you don’t even have to prove the car was at fault.However, No-Fault insurance is limited. Therefore, it is ultimately still important to prove who was at fault if the injury is serious. If the driver was at fault, you may have access to much more insurance coverage.
If you were hit by a car in the crosswalk, call us for a free consultation. An experienced lawyer will answer your questions and protect your rights.