Car accidents, when they happen, mostly occur due to the result of a collision. This collision is mostly supposed to be with a car. However, other times, it can be with people walking on the roads as pedestrians or cyclists.
It must be known to everyone that roads are used by everyone to walk and drive on, so all kinds of accidents can occur on them. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists all have the responsibility of making the road safe for travel and riding.
A car accident lawyer in Houston TX can guide you well on the road rules and responsibilities in case you are a cyclist or a pedestrian using the road.
Legal Rights and Responsibilities of Pedestrians
It is very important to understand the rights and the responsibility of pedestrians as they are one of the most important parts of the things that are seen on the road. Here are some of the rights that they deserve.
The right to safety: Pedestrians are permitted to expect drivers to pay attention, obey traffic laws such as speed limits, and make sure not to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Right of way: In a number of jurisdictions, pedestrians are allowed to the right of way on the crosswalks. So, when a pedestrian is walking on a crosswalk or an intersection, the cars and other vehicles must stop until the pedestrian crosses the road.
The right to use sidewalks: Pedestrians have this right to use the sidewalks whenever it is available. If there is no sidewalk, the pedestrians should know they need to walk on the side of the road.
Responsibilities of the Pedestrians on the Road
Using the bridges and the crosswalks: This is one of the basic things that is expected from the people walking on the road to use the pedestrian bridge and walk on the crosswalks. Crossing the road outside these markings can be very dangerous for the person who is walking and also for the incoming traffic.
Following the Signals: Pedestrians must be aware of the signals of the crosswalks and also of the traffic so that they know when they are allowed to walk on the crosswalks.
Avoid Distraction: It is also the role and responsibility of pedestrians to make sure that they avoid distractions on the road. Avoiding them can not only save them from the harm that they can attract but also can save other people prone to danger on the roads.
Practice Caution: It is on the people walking on the roads to stay cautioned. Having good judgment while you are on the road is very important. This includes the pedestrians looking at both sides while they cross the road and looking for any unexpected vehicle coming their way.
Legal Rights of Cyclists
There are some important rights of the cyclists that they must know about.
The right to use bike lanes: On the roads where there are special bike lanes, it is the right of cyclists to use them for riding the cycles. But in case the biker line is not very smooth or is damaged, then it must be made sure the biker does not use that lane.
The right to use roadways: To use the public roadways just like other cars use it is the fundamental right of bikers and cyclists. They have their fair share when it comes to using the roadways, as they also have the light to ride the bicycle on the roads.
Legal Responsibilities of the Cyclists
Use of hand signals: The cyclists are allowed to use hand signals that can be understood by the people on the road. These help them cross the roads and keep a safe distance between them and the other vehicles on the road.
Use of helmet: It must be made sure by cyclists to use helmets on the road, as these can save them from a number of head injuries.
Following the same direction of traffic: It must be made sure cyclists take the same route and direction towards the traffic in order to make sure that there are no collisions occurring.
Obeying the laws: Cyclists are required to follow the traffic laws that are there for the other vehicles to follow. Cyclists are considered to be equally a part of the road; they need to make sure that they follow the traffic rules.
Conclusion
Car accidents that involve pedestrians and cyclists are very commonly seen. These can be avoided if pedestrians and cyclists make sure to perform the responsibilities that are expected of them. Also, proper know-how of one’s rights can also help them avoid unfortunate incidents on the road. So, pedestrians and cyclists must familiarize themselves with their rights and what they deserve.
