Crosswalk Accident Lawyers in Georgia & South Carolina
Crosswalks are supposed to be the safest place for a pedestrian to cross the street — yet thousands of pedestrians are injured or killed in crosswalks every year. When a driver fails to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, the consequences are devastating. The NHTSA reports that over 7,500 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in a recent year, with a significant portion of those fatalities occurring at or near crosswalks and intersections.
At Roden Law, our crosswalk accident lawyers represent injured pedestrians throughout Georgia and South Carolina. We understand the specific traffic laws that protect pedestrians at crossings and hold negligent drivers fully accountable for the harm they cause.
Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws at Crosswalks
Both Georgia and South Carolina have clear laws requiring drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks:
- Georgia: Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-91, drivers must stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross when the pedestrian is in the driver’s half of the roadway or close enough to be in danger. This applies to both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
- South Carolina: S.C. Code § 56-5-3130 requires drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians within any marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
Importantly, both states recognize unmarked crosswalks — the implied extensions of sidewalks across intersections, even when there are no painted lines. Drivers must yield to pedestrians at these unmarked crossings as well.
Common Causes of Crosswalk Accidents
Our investigation of crosswalk accidents consistently reveals driver negligence:
- Failure to yield: The most common cause — drivers who do not stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, often because they are in a hurry or simply not paying attention
- Right-turn-on-red violations: Drivers making a right turn on red who focus on oncoming traffic and fail to check the crosswalk for pedestrians. See our page on intersection pedestrian accidents for more on turning-vehicle crashes.
- Left-turn inattention: Drivers completing left turns who are focused on gaps in traffic and overlook pedestrians in the crosswalk
- Distracted driving: Texting or phone use that prevents drivers from seeing pedestrians entering the crosswalk. Learn more about distracted driver pedestrian accidents.
- Speeding through yellow lights: Drivers who accelerate through yellow or early-red signals while pedestrians are beginning to cross
- Poor visibility: Inadequate lighting at crosswalks, especially at night, combined with driver failure to reduce speed in low-visibility conditions
Injuries in Crosswalk Accidents
Pedestrians have no protection when struck by a vehicle, making crosswalk accidents especially injurious. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, multiple bone fractures (pelvis, legs, arms), internal organ damage, severe road rash and lacerations, and wrongful death. The severity of injuries increases dramatically with vehicle speed — a pedestrian struck at 40 mph has an approximately 85% chance of death, compared to 10% at 20 mph.
Pursuing Maximum Compensation
Crosswalk accident cases typically present strong liability because drivers have a clear legal duty to yield. Our attorneys document the crosswalk conditions, traffic signals, driver behavior, and all injuries to build comprehensive claims. We pursue all available damages under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. Title 51) and South Carolina law, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and wrongful death claims for surviving family members.