Every day, pedestrians along the Wasatch Front cross busy streets in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and provo. Often times these pedestrians cross the street without a second thought about what the law actually says regarding right-of-way. But when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, the difference between a strong injury claim and a difficult one often comes down to a handful of legal details” Was the pedestrian in a crosswalk? Was it marked or unmarked? Did the driver have a duty to yield?
Understanding Utah’s crosswalk and jaywalking laws isn’t just useful trivia, it can directly shape how fault, and ultimately compensation, gets determined after a crash. In this article our Utah pedestrian accident lawyers will be breaking down this information so that you can better understand your rights.
What Counts as a Crosswalk?
Under Utah Code 41-6a-1002, Utah recognizes two types of legal crosswalks these are:
- Marked Crosswalks- This is any crosswalk that has painted lines and is designated for pedestrian crossing. These are found between intersections or midblock crossings.
- Unmarked Crosswalks- These exist automatically wherever sidewalks connect across an intersection, even without paint. If you are crossing an intersection where sidewalks line up on both sides of the street, then you are likely in a legal crosswalk.
This matters enormously in an injury claim, because both types of crosswalks carry the same legal protections. A driver can not argue that they didn’t owe a duty to yield to a pedestrian simply because the crosswalk was not painted.
When Drivers Must Yield
It can sometimes be unclear when you have to yield the right of way to a pedestrian as a driver. As a rule of thumb you should always yield when a pedestrian enters the road.
Legally, a driver must yield to pedestrians crossing within a crosswalk on their half of the road, or approaching closely from the opposite half. A few key rules reinforce this:
- No passing a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk – If one lane stops for a pedestrian, a driver in the next lane can’t pass. This rule prevents one of the most common and severe crosswalk collisions.
- School crosswalks require a full stop if occupied by a pedestrian.
- Stop signs require drivers to yield to pedestrians in the adjacent crosswalk.
- Blind or visually impaired pedestrians using a cane or guide dog are owed additional yield protections.
Utah’s Jaywalking Rules
Pedestrian right-of-way isn’t unconditional. Utah Code 41-6a-1003 places real limits on where and how people can legally cross, and these limits are the backbone of what most people call “jaywalking laws.”
Crossing Outside a Marked Crosswalk: If a pedestrian crosses a roadway at any point other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk, then that pedestrian must yield the right of way to all vehicles on the road. This means that stepping into the street midblock or anywhere outside of the crosswalk is considered jaywalking, and shifts the right-of-way to the drivers.
Between signalized intersections: Where traffic signals are in operation at adjacent intersections, a pedestrian is not allowed to cross anywhere except within a marked crosswalk. An unmarked crosswalk won’t suffice in this specific situation.
No Diagonal Crossing: As a pedestrian you can not cross diagonally across an intersection unless a traffic control device specifically authorizes it.
Sudden Entry Into Traffic: Separately, the law also makes it clear that a pedestrian may not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk into the path of a vehicle that is too close to stop safely, even at a crosswalk. This means you can not just run into the road, even if you are at a crosswalk.
Jaywalking is typically charged as a minor infraction, but its bigger impact tends to show up later as it can be used to place you at fault in an insurance injury claim. So do your best to cross the street at marked and unmarked crosswalks to avoid this.
How Fault Gets Divided
Utah follows modified comparative negligence: this means that a pedestrian’s compensation can be reduced based on their percentage of fault. This means if a judge deems you responsible for 30% of an accident then you would only be able to receive 70% of a total settlement. If the pedestrian is found 50% or more at fault then they will not be able to recover anything from an insurance claim.
This is why the crosswalk / jaywalking distinction matters so much. If you are a pedestrian struck while lawfully crossing your claim is much stronger than someone who was hit while jaywalking.
What To Do After an Accident
- Get medical attention right away, even if it seems you have only suffered minor scrapes and bruises.
- Call the police. This is required by Utah law and ensures that an official report is created for your accident. This is essential in establishing fault.
- Document the scene. Take photos and videos of crosswalking markings, traffic signals, injuries, and vehicle positions. This is some of the best evidence possible for your claim.
- Avoid recorded statements to the driver’s insurer until you have spoken with a Utah pedestrian accident lawyer.
- Consult with a skilled Utah pedestrian lawyer. They will be able to evaluate the crosswalk classification and help classify and protect your rights.
Talk to LifeLaw
Crosswalk cases often hinge on small factual details, and if they are mismanaged your case could go sideways. At LifeLaw Trial Lawyers we have a team of the expert pedestrian accident lawyers ready to be at your disposal. Our team will gather evidence, research the facts of your case, and fight an insurance company to ensure that you get the justice and compensation that you deserve.
Let our team help you so you can focus on your life and your recovery, call us today for a free consultation and to get the help that you need.