The busy streets of Minneapolis have a combination of people driving on the road and people walking on the sidewalks. Pedestrians can be put at risk when drivers aren’t being attentive to what’s in front of them. In the event of a collision, the person walking will likely get severely hurt. If this has happened to you, our Minneapolis pedestrian accident lawyers can use our years of experience to protect your rights.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Madia helps clients who have been injured in pedestrian collisions. Unfortunately, negligence has caused debilitating accidents and injuries in Minnesota. In 2019, there were 50 pedestrian fatalities in the state. There were also 142 serious injuries, 498 minor injuries, and 344 possible injuries. The total pedestrian crashes reached 1,008.
There are also identified intersections in Minneapolis where more pedestrian injuries occur. Three intersections stood out:
- Vineland Place & Lyndale Avenue
- 27th Street & Cedar Avenue
- 3rd Street N & 2nd Avenue South
About half of the accidents that happened at these intersections were major. The following intersections had the most crashes over a decade:
- Lake St. W & Lyndale Avenue S had 24 crashes.
- West Broadway Avenue N & Lyndale Avenue N had 23 crashes.
- Franklin Avenue W & Nicollet Avenue South had 21 crashes.
While these areas may have more crashes than others, there is still a risk of a collision any time a driver is negligent. Let’s take a look into the contributing factors of pedestrian accidents.
For a legal consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer serving Minneapolis, call 612-349-2729
Minneapolis Pedestrian Laws
Knowing the laws that pertain to pedestrians in Minneapolis is essential when you plan on walking through the streets in the city. Not only can this keep you safe and potentially reduce your risk of accidents, but it can also ensure that you aren’t liable if an accident did occur. By proving you followed all the laws of pedestrians, you can get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Here are the Minnesota pedestrian statutes that you’ll need to follow when crossing the street:
- Pedestrians must follow traffic control signals when they’re present at an intersection.
- When there isn’t a traffic signal, motorists must yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
- Pedestrians can’t suddenly move into the crosswalk and expect a car to stop quickly for them—they must step into a safe part of the crosswalk and wait for a car to stop.
- When there is a crossing guard, pedestrians have the right of way, as instructed by the crossing guard.
- If there is no marked crosswalk or intersection where the pedestrian is crossing, they must yield to the vehicles on the road.
- If there is a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing for a roadway and a person isn’t taking that path, they must yield to the vehicles on the road.
- Pedestrians should use the right half of the crosswalk and walk on the left side of the road.
- Pedestrians must use sidewalks when they are available.
While some of these laws are common sense, you might not have known all of them when you choose to walk to your destination. Understanding all these laws can help you stay safe, or when you get into a pedestrian accident, you can feel confident that you haven’t broken the law. Our Minneapolis pedestrian accident attorneys are here to help you file a claim and get justice for what you’ve suffered.
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Pedestrian vs. Car Crash Causes
When you’re seeking compensation for your injuries, we will examine what caused the collision, which can also give us insight into the identity of the negligent party. Some of the factors that can contribute to the crash include:
- Issues with the Vehicle. If a driver has issue with their brakes, lights, or steering, they could lose control of their vehicle or pedestrians may not be able to see them. A driver with an unsafe vehicle may not have known there was an issue and the defective auto part malfunctioned while they were driving. In this case, it’s possible the manufacturing company could be responsible for your injuries.
- Problems with the Road. A dangerous environment would contribute to the accident, like hazardous road conditions. Slick roads and poor visibility are common examples. However, when there is a hazardous road condition, the driver needs to adjust like slowing down and putting on headlights. If they are continuing to drive without regard for the road conditions, this could be seen as a reckless decision.
- Driver Negligence. Speeding, driving while intoxicated, and distracted driving can all result in pedestrian vs. car collisions. In a city, a driver may try to get to their destination in a hurry or try to race a yellow light, except they don’t see a pedestrian in time. If they’re focused on a GPS or other function of their phone, they may not see that they’re veering toward the sidewalk or if traffic has stopped and pedestrians are crossing.
The resulting injuries can be devastating for the pedestrian. They don’t have any protection from the car. The full impact will hit them and they’ll likely fall on the street or sidewalk, which can cause additional injuries.
Injuries to the head, neck, and face can occur. These include brain injuries, facial fractures, vertebrae injuries, and lacerations. The pedestrian may also have injuries to the spine, ribs, and limbs.
Medical attention, surgery, hospitalization, and a long recovery period will likely be in the injured pedestrian’s future. The amount of medical bills that will arise from this can be overwhelming, but our Minneapolis pedestrian accident lawyers will make sure that your claim covers the costs of your injuries.
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Madia Law Can Help As Your Lawyer
When Madia fights for you, we takes the full extent of your injuries and losses into account when determining the total amount of your compensation. To do this, we will launch a full investigation into the accident.
We’ll analyze evidence from the accident scene to see what caused the accident. Damage to the car, marks on the road, police reports, eyewitnesses, and possibly traffic cameras could provide us with the information we need. We’ll also get information from your medical records. This will show how severe your injuries are and what it’s going to cost for you to get the care you need.
When you’re pursuing a claim, you may find that the other party is trying to place some of the blame on you. They could say that you weren’t paying attention or had done something that could have contributed to your injuries. This is why it’s essential to have an experienced attorney, like our pedestrian accident lawyers, representing you. We won’t settle for less than you deserve.
We know that going through the legal process when you’ve been in a serious accident can seem like a major responsibility to add to your life when you’re already dealing with so much. However, Madia is going to do all we can so that you receive full and fair compensation that will provide you with the financial security you need to move forward.
When Madia is on your side, you can rely on us to deal with the legal burdens. We’ll build a strong case, protect your rights, and make sure that your claim is filed on time and given to the proper channels. While we are fighting for your compensation, you can take the time to heal without worrying about what comes next.
If you or a loved one has been severely injured in a pedestrian collision, Madia is here for you. Get in touch today.
Call 612-349-2729 or complete a Case Evaluation form
