Boulder Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
At ELKUS & SISSON, P.C., our team of seasoned professionals brings a wealth of experience to navigating complex legal challenges with precision and dedication.
Known for its sustainability, outdoor recreation, and walkability, Boulder is often a top-rated city for pedestrians. Unfortunately, this does not mean pedestrian accidents are less likely. No matter how pedestrian-friendly a city is, it doesn’t change the characteristics and habits of drivers. Whether you’ve been injured while on a leisurely walk to get some fresh air, on the way to work or school, or while enjoying yourself at the local shops, you have legal options.
Working with the team at Colorado Accident Attorneys gives you the chance to fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve. Call our Boulder pedestrian accident lawyers at 303-567-7981 to set up your free consultation now or submit a contact form and we will call you ASAP.
Pedestrian Laws in Colorado
It’s easy to point fingers after a pedestrian accident, but knowing Colorado law can help you stay within the limits of the law and avoid causing a crash. Per Section 42-4-802, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians when they are in a crosswalk, whether or not it has dedicated traffic signals. If a driver stops to allow a pedestrian to pass, a driver behind them cannot pass them to avoid waiting—even if the pedestrian did not have the right of way.
Pedestrians are expected to adhere to “Walk” and “Don’t Walk” lights when crossing at an intersection. Drivers are expected to wait for pedestrians to cross before entering the intersection, even if the light turns to “Don’t Walk” while the pedestrian is still crossing.
One important law relates to many pedestrian-caused crashes. If a car is legally moving within its lane of traffic and is too close to stop safely, pedestrians must yield right of way to them if stepping in front of the car would force them to take evasive action. That is, a pedestrian cannot just step in front of a vehicle and expect the driver to stop.
Drivers have substantial responsibility when it comes to keeping pedestrians safe. While pedestrian accidents account for 2% of Boulder crashes, they account for 24% of severe crashes.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?
A variety of errors can lead to pedestrian accidents in Boulder. Distracted driving and walking are two of the biggest contributing factors. A distracted pedestrian is unlikely to notice when they are about to step in front of a car, putting them in a position where they cannot take evasive action. Distracted drivers are often unable to stop in time to avoid a crash, and if they don’t look up at all, these crashes can be fatal.
Related to this is speeding, another huge factor in many serious pedestrian accidents. Speeding drivers need more time to stop, and if they are both distracted and speeding, the risk to the pedestrian is even greater.
Impaired driving is unfortunately a factor in a substantial amount of Boulder pedestrian crashes. If a driver is impaired, their vision may be affected, as well as their ability to pay attention, react quickly to obstacles, and make sound decisions. This may leave them unable to respond properly to a pedestrian in their path.
Other common causes of collisions include poor lighting, limited visibility, unsafe roadway or sidewalk design, and pedestrians who fail to practice basic road safety.
Why You Should Choose Our Boulder Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
When you pursue an injury claim with one of our Boulder pedestrian accident attorneys, you can feel relieved knowing that you have a fierce advocate on your side. We are committed to helping injured victims hold negligent drivers accountable. It’s likely that you’ll incur significant costs related to your accident, from medical bills and time away from work to home tasks you’ll need to outsource. Why should you be left covering all of those financial losses when you didn’t even cause the accident?
We believe that the negligent driver should pay what you’re owed. From the moment we take your case, we’ll investigate your accident, learn more about your injuries, and gather important evidence. This gives us the information we need to build a strong case that proves the other party’s liability and puts us in an excellent position to negotiate with their insurance provider. In most situations, these cases settle during informal negotiations out of court. If yours doesn’t, don’t worry. We are more than ready to take your case to court and advocate for you there.
Start Your Claim Today—We’re Here to Help
Pedestrian accidents are a serious problem in Colorado, despite efforts to reduce accident numbers in recent years. If you’re injured by a reckless or negligent driver, it’s up to you to fight for the compensation you’re owed. We’re here to support you through this process. Call us at 303-567-7981 or get in touch with us using our online contact form—we’ll set up a consultation and help you with the next steps.