Where and Why Pedestrian Crashes Happen
Pedestrian injuries in Wyoming occur in city crosswalks and parking lots, in tourist-heavy downtowns like Jackson and Cody, and along rural highways with narrow or nonexistent shoulders. Winter darkness, snow-narrowed roads, distracted driving, and drivers failing to yield at crosswalks all contribute. Because a pedestrian has no protection, even a low-speed impact can cause broken bones, head injuries, and internal trauma.
Driver Duties and Pedestrian Rights
Wyoming law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and to exercise due care to avoid hitting anyone on the road. When a driver is speeding, distracted, impaired, or simply not paying attention, they can be held liable for the resulting injuries. Even where a pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk, the driver may still bear significant responsibility.
Comparative Fault and Insurance Tactics
Insurers often argue that the pedestrian 'came out of nowhere' or was not in a crosswalk. Under Wyoming's modified comparative negligence rule, fault can be apportioned, so it is important to establish the driver's negligence with witness statements, traffic-camera or surveillance footage, and accident reconstruction. A skilled attorney protects victims from being unfairly blamed.
Compensation for Injured Pedestrians
Victims may recover medical expenses and future care, lost income, pain and suffering, and compensation for permanent disability or disfigurement. In tragic cases involving a fatality, surviving family may bring a wrongful death claim. Documenting the full extent of the harm is essential to a fair recovery.
Injured in Wyoming? Get a free, confidential case review today. There's no obligation, and you pay no fee unless you win. Call 973-566-5599.
Frequently Asked Questions
Possibly. Drivers must exercise due care to avoid pedestrians regardless of location. Fault can be shared, and a driver who was speeding, distracted, or impaired may still be largely responsible.
Medical bills and future care, lost income, pain and suffering, and compensation for permanent injury. Families of those killed may pursue a wrongful death claim.
Get medical care, call police, photograph the scene if you can, gather witness information, and consult an attorney before speaking with the driver's insurer.