Your Right to Safety as a Pedestrian in Omaha

By Jason Bottlinger on October 20, 2023

Pedestrians have a right to safety in Omaha. Walking is good for physical health, mental state, and the environment, but negligent drivers can make it dangerous for pedestrians. More than 7,500 people in the U.S. were struck and killed by motor vehicles in 2022, as reported by the New York Times. Pedestrian deaths have reached the highest level in more than 40 years. Now more than ever, pedestrians require legal advocacy.

Understanding Pedestrians’ Rights

Pedestrians in Omaha have certain rights and protections under the law. Under Nebraska statutes, drivers are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when there are no operational traffic lights, except where a pedestrian tunnel or overpass has been provided. When a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk to allow a pedestrian to cross, drivers approaching from the rear are prohibited from passing the stopped vehicle. Pedestrians have the right of way once they have lawfully entered a path designated for pedestrians and bicycles that crosses a highway.

What Rules Do Pedestrians Have to Follow?

Along with these and other rights, pedestrians are required to follow certain rules. For example, pedestrians are prohibited under state law from suddenly leaving a curb or place of safety and walking or running into the path of a vehicle close enough that the driver is unable to stop. When a sidewalk is provided and usable, it is unlawful for pedestrians to walk on the shoulder or in the roadway. If a sidewalk is not provided and a shoulder is available, pedestrians walking along a highway must walk on the shoulder as close to the far edge as practicable. On a two-way roadway, they must walk on the left side of the road. When no sidewalk or shoulder is available, pedestrians must walk as close to the edge of the roadway as practicable and on the left side of a two-way road.

Seeking Compensation for Pedestrian Injuries

A person on foot is unprotected and vulnerable to serious injuries in a collision with a 4,000-pound passenger vehicle. Pedestrians are hit by motor vehicles and killed or injured every day. If you have been hurt as a pedestrian through someone else’s negligence, you have a right to seek compensation for your losses. Your best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve is to have an experienced Omaha pedestrian injury attorney handling your claim.

You may be eligible to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or file a lawsuit in civil court. Damages available for a pedestrian accident may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages or earnings, loss of future earning potential, pain and suffering, and other losses.

At Bottlinger Law L.L.C., your experienced Omaha pedestrian accident lawyer can provide the following services:

• Thoroughly investigate your accident to establish fault and liability
• Secure evidence to support your claim
• Build a persuasive case based on the evidence
• Accurately calculate the full extent of your losses – past, present, and future
• Negotiate skillfully with insurance companies on your behalf
• Fight for full and fair compensation in court if necessary

Choose Bottlinger Law L.L.C. to Protect Your Rights

At Bottlinger Law L.L.C., we are compassionate listeners and effective litigators who have won millions for our clients. Founding attorney Jason Bottlinger has been awarded membership in the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums and named among the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.

We believe every person deserves a personal injury lawyer who will work hard and do everything legally possible to help them achieve a positive outcome. Call us at (402) 505-8234 to schedule a free consultation if you have been seriously injured as a pedestrian in Omaha.