Intersections are where Vermont’s rules of the road meet real‑world judgment. Cars are turning, signals are changing, and people are stepping off curbs to cross. When everyone understands who has the right of way in Vermont, traffic flows and people stay safe. When someone guesses wrong, the result can be a car vs. pedestrian accident in Vermont with life‑changing injuries.
This guide explains how Vermont right of way laws apply when vehicles turn and pedestrians cross, what both drivers and pedestrians are expected to do, how fault is assigned under Vermont’s comparative negligence rule, and what steps to take after a crash. It’s written in plain language so you can use it today—whether you’re behind the wheel or on foot. If you’ve been hurt, it also outlines how a claim works and where an VT pedestrian accident attorney can help.
Vermont’s Right‑of‑Way Rules at Crosswalks and Intersections
Vermont law prioritizes pedestrian safety at intersections and crosswalks. Under 23 V.S.A. §1051, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians who are in a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. That duty applies even when a driver has a green light and is turning. The practical standard is this: if a pedestrian is in your lane or intended path of travel, you slow or stop until they have cleared that lane and it’s safe to proceed.
The statute also bars drivers from passing a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian—a common cause of serious collisions. And it reminds pedestrians not to suddenly step off the curb into the path of a vehicle that can’t stop in time. These rules work together: drivers watch and yield; pedestrians cross predictably and avoid darting out.
Turning Movements Where Crashes Often Happen
Many turning vehicle and pedestrian collisions happen even when signals are working. Three patterns show up again and again in Vermont pedestrian accident claims:
Left turns at green lights. Drivers focus on gaps in oncoming traffic and miss people already in the crosswalk they’re turning into. The law still requires a yield to pedestrians in that crosswalk.
Right turns on red. Vermont allows right‑on‑red after a full stop, but only after yielding to pedestrians and other traffic with the right of way. Rolling stops and quick glances right create predictable risks.
Driveways, alleys, and parking lots. When entering or exiting, drivers must yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalk areas. That includes delivery exits and the curb cuts outside busy strip malls.
Pedestrian Duties (Signals, Crosswalks, and Safe Crossing)
Vermont expects pedestrians to do their part. Under 23 V.S.A. §1058 (Duties of pedestrians), people on foot must obey signals and traffic‑control devices. Other helpful provisions include §1054 (keep to the right half of the crosswalk when practicable) and §1055 (if there’s no sidewalk, walk facing traffic when safe to do so). These aren’t just etiquette; they shape how fault is assigned if an injury occurs.
A quick reality check
Even with perfect behavior, a pedestrian is vulnerable. A low‑speed impact can break bones or cause a concussion. That’s why Vermont’s rules put the heavier burden on turning drivers: the person with the 3,000‑pound machine has more power to prevent harm.
Who’s at Fault After a Turning‑Car Pedestrian Crash?
Fault turns on evidence: where the pedestrian was, what the signals showed, who had the legal duty to yield, and whether either side acted carelessly. Investigations pull from police reports, scene photos, signal timing, dashcams, and witness statements. Two examples illustrate how liability often shakes out:
- Driver liability: A motorist turns right on red and strikes someone already in the crosswalk. The driver failed to yield under §1051 and is usually primarily at fault.
- Shared liability: A pedestrian steps off the curb against a “Don’t Walk” signal as a car turns on green and brakes hard. The driver must still exercise due care, but the pedestrian’s decision may reduce recovery under Vermont’s comparative negligence law.
Vermont’s Comparative Negligence Rule (How Fault Affects Recovery)
Vermont follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover damages so long as you are 50% or less at fault; your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If a jury values losses at $120,000 and finds the pedestrian 20% responsible for entering late in the cycle, the net recovery would be $96,000. If the pedestrian were 51% at fault, there would be no recovery. Understanding this framework is essential when insurers argue that “both sides share blame.”
What Makes a Strong Vermont Pedestrian Injury Claim
You don’t need a law degree to strengthen your case—you just need to act methodically. The building blocks are the same in most Vermont auto accident legal rights claims:
- Immediate medical documentation. Seek care right away, follow up with your doctor, and describe all symptoms (headaches, dizziness, knee instability). Gaps in treatment are a common insurance talking point.
- Scene evidence. Photos of the crosswalk, curb ramps, signal heads, vehicle damage, and your injuries help fix what happened in time.
- Witnesses and video. Names, phone numbers, and any available traffic‑camera or storefront footage are invaluable. Ask nearby businesses how long video is retained; many systems overwrite in days.
- Official records. File a report and request the final police crash report when available. If the report contains errors, your attorney can supply corrections with supporting evidence.
Damages Available in a Vermont Pedestrian Case
A Vermont personal injury pedestrian accident claim can include economic losses (ER visits, imaging, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, lost wages) and non‑economic losses (pain, loss of mobility, anxiety in traffic, loss of enjoyment). Future care—additional therapy, injections, or scar revision—belongs in the calculation if your providers recommend it. When injuries cause lasting limitations, a vocational or life‑care expert can help quantify long‑term impacts.
Practical Safety Tips That Actually Help
Most collisions are preventable. A few habits dramatically cut risk without turning every walk or drive into a defensive‑driving seminar.
For drivers: slow your turn entry speed; scan the entire crosswalk—near side and far side—before committing; after a full stop on red, look left for vehicles and ahead/right for people; never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
For pedestrians: establish eye contact with turning drivers; don’t step off the curb the instant a signal changes—give the intersection a beat to clear; at night or in bad weather, assume drivers haven’t seen you until they’ve actually yielded.
After a Car–Pedestrian Crash: What to Do Next
In the first 48 hours, a few decisions can shape your claim. Get checked out—even if you walked away. Save your clothing and shoes (they can corroborate contact points). Photograph bruising and swelling over several days as it evolves. If you can, return to the intersection at a similar time to capture traffic patterns and signal timing. Then, before speaking at length with an insurance adjuster, consider consulting an attorney who handles Vermont pedestrian accident claims; early guidance prevents small mistakes from becoming big problems.
How Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, Handles These Cases
Our approach is simple: lock down the facts, protect your health, and keep the process moving. In turning car pedestrian collision Vermont cases, we:
- Secure evidence quickly—video, 911 audio, data from connected dashcams, and accurate measurements of the crosswalk and stop lines.
- Map signal timing and phases to show when each party had the legal right to move.
- Work with treating clinicians to document the full scope of injury and likely recovery timeline.
- Handle insurer communications so you don’t have to explain your injuries over and over.
- Prepare each case as if it will be tried; strong preparation often produces strong settlements.
That combination of evidence and advocacy helps injured Vermonters pursue fair outcomes under Vermont traffic laws right of way and related negligence standards.
Call Brandon J. Broderick For Legal Help
If you were hurt by a turning driver while crossing, you’re dealing with more than medical bills—you’re navigating lost time at work, transportation hurdles, and the anxiety of walking near traffic again. You don’t have to do it alone.
At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we investigate Vermont pedestrian right of way collisions, build clear liability cases, and pursue full compensation for our clients. We’ll review what happened, explain your options, and take the legal load off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
Contact us today for a free consultation.