Wisconsin laws for pedestrian right of way do not by default favor the pedestrian. Every situation is different and a pedestrian must be on constant look out for his or her own safety. After an accident we can look at the facts and apply the law to get a financial recovery for a severely injured pedestrian. Nevertheless, it is better to know the law ahead of time and be prepared. The pedestrian right of way laws in Wisconsin are very specific depending on the circumstances. For civil liability purposes, responsibility for causing an accident is determined under rules of comparative negligence, of which the jury instructions are a part of the equation. The following rules address some bery situations a pedestrian may find him or herself in.
PEDESTRIAN FACING GREEN ARROW
The Wisconsin statutes define “right of way” as the privilege of the immediate use of the roadway and, further provide, that no pedestrian facing a green arrow signal shall enter the roadway unless the pedestrian can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic. If the pedestrian was facing a green arrow, then it became pedestrian’s duty, before entering onto the roadway, to yield the right of way to an approaching vehicle unless the pedestrian could enter the roadway safely and without interference with vehicle traffic on the roadway.
PEDESTRIAN FACING RED SIGNAL
The Wisconsin statutes define “right of way” as the privilege of the immediate use of the roadway and, further provide, that no pedestrian facing a red signal shall enter the roadway unless the pedestrian can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic. If the pedestrian was facing a red signal, then it is the pedestrian’s duty before entering onto the highway to yield the right of way to an approaching vehicle unless he or she could enter the roadway safely and without interference with traffic on the roadway.
PEDESTRIAN STANDING OR LOITERING ON HIGHWAY
The Wisconsin statutes define “right of way” as the privilege of the immediate use of the roadway and, further provide, that no person shall be on a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride from the driver of any vehicle other than a public passenger vehicle. If the pedestrian was on the roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride from the driver of any vehicle other than a public passenger vehicle, then it was the pedestrian’s duty to yield the right of way to a vehicle approaching on the roadway.
McCormick Law Office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin provides attorney representation for pedestrians injured in auto accidents for medical bills, wage loss, pain and suffering.
