Pedestrians in Baton Rouge who are struck by negligent drivers may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. The same may be true of those who were driving or riding in a vehicle involved in an accident caused by another motorist. Generally speaking, drivers must exercise caution when they see a pedestrian attempting to cross a street or walking along the side of a road. If necessary, they must honk their horns or otherwise warn pedestrians of their presence in an effort to avoid a collision.
Pedestrians are expected to walk on sidewalks wherever they are available, and it is generally in their best interest to cross the street at a pedestrian control signal or at a marked crosswalk. Vehicles are expected to drive on the right side of any road that they are traveling on. Drivers may move their cars to the left lane to pass a slower moving vehicle, and they are not permitted to return to the right side of the road until it is safe to do so.
Individuals cannot use a mobile device to make calls or send text messages while driving unless it is an emergency. A driver must maintain a proper following distance at all times. Proper following distances are usually determined by road conditions as well as how fast other vehicles are traveling.
A person who is hurt in a car accident may be forced to retire or otherwise experience a lower quality of life because of their injuries. A personal injury attorney may be able to help an injured victim obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages and lost future earnings. Legal counsel may show that a person’s injuries were caused by another individual’s negligence through the use of photos or videos taken at the crash scene.