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Car Accident Attorney: How Common Are Crosswalk Car Accidents—and Who’s Liable?

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“Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high. In 2022, 7,522 pedestrians were killed and more than 67,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide,” says the NHTSA. At William Rawlings & Associates, we’ve been working with car accident cases for over 3 decades. We’ve seen just about everything that can happen on the road, and crosswalk accidents are way more common than most people think. If you’ve been hit—or know someone who has—then you know how fast everything can change in just a few seconds. As a car accident attorney, our team is here to break down what’s going on with these types of accidents, who could be responsible, and what victims should understand if they’re hurt in a crosswalk.

We’ve helped tens of thousands of people and recovered hundreds of millions for our clients. With more than 100 years of combined experience, we know how serious these cases are. You’re not just a case number to us. You’re someone who deserves answers and a team that knows how to handle it.

Crosswalk Accidents Happen More Than You Think

When you hear about car accidents, most people think about freeways or intersections. But crosswalks are one of the most dangerous places for pedestrians. It’s shocking how often people walking across the street legally still get hit by cars. Whether it's a distracted driver, someone speeding through a light, or a driver who just doesn’t look both ways, accidents in crosswalks happen all the time.

In Utah alone, pedestrian accidents are way too frequent. As an auto accident lawyer in Utah, we’ve represented a lot of people who were hit even when they had the right of way. The injuries can be life-changing—broken bones, head trauma, internal injuries—you name it. And what’s worse is that some drivers don’t even stop. They keep going, leaving people alone and hurt in the street. That kind of thing sticks with you.

Who’s Responsible?

The biggest question we get is: who’s at fault in a crosswalk accident? That answer depends on a few things. Was the pedestrian crossing with the walk signal? Was the driver texting or speeding? Was there anything blocking their view?

Most of the time, drivers have a responsibility to watch for people crossing the street. If someone is in the crosswalk and following traffic signals, the law usually sides with them. That doesn’t mean it’s always cut and dry, though. In some cases, both parties might have done something wrong. Maybe the pedestrian crossed without looking, or the driver couldn’t see them because of a parked truck.

This is where having the best auto accident attorney Utah makes a difference. We dig into every detail—traffic cameras, witness statements, police reports. We’ve seen drivers try to blame pedestrians, even when the facts don’t add up. We don’t let that slide.

What Makes These Accidents Different?

Crosswalk accidents are different from regular car accidents because of how exposed the pedestrian is. There’s no seatbelt or airbag when you’re walking across the street. Even a low-speed impact can be serious. The recovery time is usually longer, and the medical bills can be massive.

As a car accident lawyer Salt Lake City, we’ve handled a lot of these situations. Victims often need surgery, physical therapy, and sometimes long-term care. Some people can’t go back to work for months—or ever. That affects not just their health but their ability to take care of their family, pay their bills, and live normally.

Drivers involved in these crashes sometimes don’t even realize how badly someone’s hurt until it’s too late. That’s why we always tell people, don’t assume it’s a small thing. If you or someone you care about was hit in a crosswalk, it’s smart to talk to an accident attorney Utah right away. Don’t wait.

What About Hit-and-Runs?

Hit-and-run accidents are one of the hardest situations we deal with. It’s heartbreaking when someone gets hurt and the driver doesn’t even stop to check if they’re okay. Sadly, this happens more than people realize.

The good news is, even if the driver isn’t caught right away, you might still be able to get help. Your insurance might have coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers. That’s something we look into as a car accident attorney Salt Lake City. We’ve handled plenty of cases where we tracked down the driver later or found ways to recover compensation through other methods.

If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run, don’t assume there’s nothing you can do. Let someone who knows the process take a look.

Common Causes of Crosswalk Accidents

From what we’ve seen, most crosswalk accidents happen because of a few repeating issues:

  • Distracted driving: Texting, checking GPS, eating—it all takes focus away from the road.
  • Speeding: Going too fast makes it hard to stop in time, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic.
  • Failure to yield: Some drivers don’t slow down for crosswalks, even when the law says they have to.
  • Low visibility: Accidents often happen at night or in bad weather when it’s hard to see.
  • Impaired driving: Driving under the influence is still a huge problem in Utah.

We’ve seen these same mistakes cost people their health or their lives. That’s why it’s so important to hold drivers accountable. And we don’t back down from doing that.

What to Do If You’re Hit in a Crosswalk

If you’re ever in this situation—or someone you know is—try to take these steps:

  1. Call 911. Even if it seems minor, get medical help and make a police report.
  2. Get contact info from witnesses if possible. They can help your case later.
  3. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and anything else that might be useful.
  4. Don’t give a statement to the driver’s insurance without talking to an attorney.
  5. Call a lawyer. It’s better to know your rights than to guess.

As an auto accident lawyer in Utah, we’ve seen a lot of people wait too long to get legal help. By the time they call us, evidence is lost, or insurance has started twisting the facts. That’s why we always say—just let us take a look early on. It doesn’t cost you anything to talk to us.

Why William Rawlings & Associates?

We’ve been doing this for a long time, and we know what works. We’ve helped people across Utah, from small towns to Salt Lake City—win fair outcomes in car accident cases. Whether it’s a crosswalk case, a truck crash, or wrongful death, we’re here to help.

Being a car accident attorney Salt Lake City means being part of the community. We’re not some massive chain law firm with billboards everywhere and no one calling you back. When you work with us, you talk to real people who care about what happens next.

We’re proud to say we’ve helped tens of thousands of people and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars. That’s not by luck. That’s because we know what we’re doing, and we work hard every single time.

Ready to Talk?

If you or someone you know has been hit in a crosswalk, it’s time to talk to someone who’s been handling these cases for decades. At William Rawlings & Associates, we take every case seriously. Your recovery matters, and so does your future. Give us a call at (801) 553-0505 for a free consultation. You don’t pay anything unless we win. If you’re looking for a car accident attorney who will listen and put in the work, we’re ready.

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