Pedestrian Laws in Connecticut
Every day, you might walk to work, walk your children to school, or cross a downtown Connecticut street without giving the law a second thought. However, knowing your rights and responsibilities is essential to navigating the roads safely on foot.
Connecticut assigns specific duties to pedestrians and drivers alike, and those rules often decide who bears liability when a collision happens.
If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident and suffered serious injuries, contact our New Haven pedestrian accident lawyers to file a claim and pursue the compensation you deserve. Schedule your free consultation today.
Right-of-Way Rules at Marked Crosswalks
Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-300 requires drivers to yield to you when you’re within a marked crosswalk, or as soon as you clearly signal an intent to cross by stepping toward the entrance or raising a hand toward traffic. This right-of-way rule applies whether or not a signal is present. If a driver fails to yield, they can face fines and liability for any resulting injury.
Right-of-Way Rules at Unmarked Crosswalks and Non-Intersections
Most Connecticut intersections contain an unmarked crosswalk, formed by the natural extension of the sidewalk lines even without painted markings. You hold the same right-of-way there as you would at a marked crossing, provided you exercise reasonable caution before entering the road.
That protection disappears at non-intersection points, however: if you cross in the middle of the block, state law requires you to yield to approaching vehicles.
Responsibilities of Pedestrians on Connecticut Roads
In addition to driver responsibilities, Connecticut law places several duties on you as a pedestrian. While walking, you are generally expected to:
- Obey posted pedestrian signals
- Use a sidewalk when one is available
- Walk facing traffic along the road’s left edge if no sidewalk exists
- Cross at a crosswalk or intersection when possible
- Avoid crossing an intersection diagonally unless a signal or officer authorizes it
Dooring Laws Protecting Connecticut Pedestrians
Dooring occurs when a vehicle door opens directly into your path as you walk or bike past a parked car, often causing lacerations, bruising, or broken bones. Public Act 21-28, passed as House Bill 5429, added a dooring provision to Connecticut’s traffic code. The law bars a driver from opening a door into your path and from leaving a door open longer than necessary to load or unload.
These accidents are often associated with cyclists, but they can affect people on foot as well. A door swung open without warning can knock you off balance and into the path of oncoming traffic, turning what looks like a minor strike into a serious accident.
What Are a Pedestrian’s Legal Options After an Accident?
If a vehicle strikes you while you are walking in Connecticut, you generally have two paths toward compensation: filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier, or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. Either route requires you to prove the driver breached a duty of care, such as failing to yield at a crosswalk, and caused your injuries and damages.
At Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante, we’ve seen how quickly a pedestrian accident can turn a routine walk into a lasting injury, and how insurance adjusters do everything in their power to limit what they pay. Our pedestrian accident lawyers will work with you to fight back against these companies and secure the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
If you or someone you love was injured in a Connecticut pedestrian accident, contact our attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.