Little Rock Bike & Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Helping Arkansas cyclists and pedestrians get compensation for pain, suffering, and economic losses
Pedestrians and bicyclists are no match for vehicles of any size in the event of an accident. When a car, truck, or any vehicle collides with someone walking or riding a bike, the results are typically catastrophic for everyone but the driver. All drivers have a duty to recognize the rights of everyone on the road, especially in pedestrian crosswalks and bicycle lanes.
More than 6,200 pedestrians and 846bicycle riders died in crashes with motor vehicles in 2019, according to the Pedestrian and Bike Information Center. Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities accounted for 20.3% of all U.S. traffic fatalities in the same year. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we help families file wrongful death claims against the drivers and car owners who cause accidents and fatalities. We file personal injury claims on behalf of pedestrians and bike riders who survive these crashes. Call our Little Rock bike and pedestrian accident lawyers today to learn more.
Arkansas pedestrian laws
Arkansas statute § 27-51-1201 provides that pedestrians must obey traffic signals at crosswalks. If there are no traffic signals at a crosswalk, the “driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection,” unless a statutory exception applies. Additionally, if a car is stopped at a crosswalk to let a pedestrian walk, no other cars, approaching from the rear, should overtake or pass that stopped car.
Pedestrians should walk in the right half of the crosswalk. Pedestrians should also yield the right of way to vehicles if they:
- Are crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection
- Are crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided
Also, between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.
At all times, drivers should use due caution to avoid crashing into a pedestrian on a roadway and should honk their horn to warn the pedestrian when necessary – especially if a child or incapacitated person is on the roadway.
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Arkansas bicycle laws
The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports that as of July 1, 2019, “Arkansas bicyclists will be able to treat stop signs as yields and red lights as stop signs, thanks to a new state law that advocates and officials say will help keep cyclists safe and traffic rolling. Bicyclists must slow down at stop signs and may proceed only if traffic is clear and the action doesn't present an immediate hazard. Under the same conditions, cyclists may take off before cars at stoplights after they stop.”
Arkansas is the second state to add a law that covers both stop signs and red lights. The law was enacted because the first state to cover both stop signs and red lights, Idaho, found that bicycle injuries declined after the law was adopted.
According to Bicycle Universe, bike riders in Arkansas:
- Can ride on sidewalks except in business districts in Little Rock and other specific Arkansas communities. Bike riders should be aware of pedestrians who use the sidewalks.
- Should obey traffic devices and traffic signals.
- Yield to crossing traffic on large or important roads.
- Comply with other standards such as positioning yourself where you need to go when entering an intersection.
- Should ride on the right.
There are different laws depending on where you are riding:
- Children or adults are not required to wear a bike helmet while riding; however, Little Rock and Fayetteville requires that a bicycle is equipped with a bell or something else to warn pedestrians.
- Bikes are typically subject to the same rules of the road as a car. This means signaling intent through gestures, riding with the flow, obeying traffic signals, using a bike path when possible, and staying visible.
Generally, drivers should be extra cautious when passing a bicyclist.
Who is liable for pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Little Rock?
Experienced pedestrian and bicycle crash lawyers seek to hold all responsible parties liable. This includes:
- The driver. If a driver strikes a pedestrian or a bicyclist, then liability generally depends on who had the right of way. Drivers who were distracted, under the influence of alcohol, speeding, or in violation of any traffic law should be held accountable for the injuries and deaths they cause.
- The car owners. In some cases, if the owners are different than the driver, the owners of the car can also be held liable –.
- An alcoholic beverage retailer. If an alcoholic beverage retailer sells liquor to someone who was clearly intoxicated when the liquor was sold or the retailer should have reasonably known the person was clearly intoxicated, and the drinker later gets into an accident, the retailer may be held liable.
- A bicyclist. A bicyclist may be liable for striking a pedestrian if they failed to respect the pedestrian’s rights to walk on a sidewalk or through an intersection
- The government. A government agency may be liable if they failed to design crosswalks correctly, failed to have traffic signals where necessary, or otherwise failed to protect pedestrians and bicyclists. There are special rules for filing claims against governmental agencies, and an experienced Little Rock injury lawyer can explain.
Typical injuries to pedestrians and bike riders around Little Rock
Pedestrians and bicyclists who survive a vehicle crash often suffer serious or catastrophic injuries. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Damage to internal organs
- Soft tissue injuries
- Cuts, scrapes, and bruises
- Scarring and disfigurement
Catastrophic injuries require a lifetime of care. And many injuries result in extensive pain and suffering. You’re entitled to payment for your medial bills and lost wages if someone else caused your accident and injuries.
Contact our Little Rock attorneys for pedestrian or bicyclist injuries
Our Little Rock injury lawyers have been fighting for injury victims for decades. We have the experience and resources to ready your case for trial and to convince insurance adjusters of the strength of your case. We work with investigators, when necessary, to examine the accident site. Our lawyers work with your doctors so the correct medical reports that document your medical needs are introduced. We work with financial experts in wrongful death cases to properly value the losses you, your family, and your loved one suffered. For help now, call 501-213-1512 or use our contact form to schedule an appointment.
