You’re waiting at a crosswalk. When the light turns green and you get the walk symbol, you start to cross. A driver who is turning left also has a green light.
Are they looking for pedestrians as they make that turn? In far too many cases, studies show that they’re not. This is one of the most dangerous situations you can be in since that driver does have a legal right to turn. While most drivers look for oncoming traffic, many forget that they also need to check the crosswalk before they turn.
It’s not your fault
One thing to remember about a case like this is that it is not your fault. You have the right of way as a pedestrian, and you are legally allowed to cross. Meanwhile, the driver is obligated to wait for you to finish crossing before they turn. If they hit you, they are at fault, even if they had a green light when they made that turn.
Not all drivers understand this. They may argue after the fact that they did nothing wrong. The light was green and they made a legal turn. They are wrong, though, because they still failed to yield the right of way. They would also be at fault if they failed to allow oncoming traffic to pass through the intersection before turning. It’s no different with a pedestrian, other than the fact that a driver is less likely to see a person.
Your right to compensation
You could suffer severe injuries if you get involved in an accident like this. You need to know all about your potential rights to financial compensation. When your injured by a negligent or careless driver, an experienced advocate can help you claim everything you may be due.