A driver who fails to yield to a pedestrian already in a marked crosswalk is generally at fault under 47 O.S. § 11-502. A pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk owes vehicles the right-of-way instead, but under Oklahoma’s comparative negligence law, 23 O.S. § 13, a partly-at-fault pedestrian can still recover damages so long as their own fault does not exceed the driver’s.
A person on foot has no protection against the force of a car, truck, or SUV, so pedestrians struck by vehicles in Midwest City are often seriously hurt. If a negligent driver hit you or someone you love, the attorneys at Hasbrook & Hasbrook can review the facts of the crash and explain how a Midwest City personal injury claim typically proceeds.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Car Accidents in Midwest City
Vehicle-on-pedestrian collisions in Midwest City typically trace back to driver behavior, including:
- Aggressive or distracted driving, including texting behind the wheel
- Motorists impaired by alcohol or other substances
- Improper lane changes and failing to check crosswalks before turning
- Drivers who fail to yield at intersections and marked crossings
Midwest City is home to Tinker Air Force Base, and the shift-change traffic the base generates adds pedestrian exposure at nearby intersections and bus stops during peak commuting hours. Oklahoma’s own pedestrian safety guidance tracks many of the same driver-behavior risks statewide.
Compensation Available After a Midwest City Pedestrian Accident
Because a pedestrian absorbs the full force of a collision, injuries are frequently severe, including broken bones, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injury. An injured pedestrian may be entitled to recover:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Pedestrians hurt in a Midwest City collision are frequently taken to Integris Health Midwest City or Saint Anthony Hospital – Midwest for emergency treatment, and those medical records often become central evidence in the claim.
Proving Fault in a Midwest City Pedestrian Accident Claim
To recover damages, a claimant generally must show the driver was negligent and that the negligence caused the injury. A driver must yield to a pedestrian already in a marked crosswalk, while a pedestrian crossing at any other point must yield to oncoming vehicles under 47 O.S. § 11-503. Fault can extend beyond the driver alone: a city government may share responsibility for a defective or poorly-maintained road, and a manufacturer may be liable if a vehicle defect kept the driver from stopping in time.
A pedestrian who was also careless, such as crossing against a signal, is not automatically barred from recovery. A claimant can still recover as long as their own fault does not exceed the driver’s, though the award is reduced by their share of the blame. Cornell Law School’s overview of how shared-fault rules work explains the general concept behind Oklahoma’s approach.
Contact a Midwest City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Vehicle-on-pedestrian collisions happen often in Midwest City and can leave a person seriously hurt. We also handle a broader vehicle-collision case in Midwest City when a pedestrian strike happens alongside a separate crash, cases when the driver flees the scene, and claims where a defective sidewalk or parking lot caused the fall instead. For vehicle-on-pedestrian claims across the Oklahoma City metro, see our wider practice.
Call Hasbrook & Hasbrook at (405) 605-2426 or share the details of your Midwest City pedestrian accident to discuss what happened and what your claim may be worth.
