Injured While Crossing the Street? What Pedestrians in Oklahoma Need to Know
Walking should never feel like a high-risk activity, yet Oklahoma statistics tell a different story. Between 2017 and 2021 the state averaged 83 pedestrian deaths each year, along with roughly 500 pedestrian injuries. Tulsa, ranked the 37th most dangerous metro area for people on foot by Smart Growth America, illustrates the danger vividly. An Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG) review recorded 1,453 pedestrian crashes in Tulsa from 2011 through 2020. Of those collisions 1,235 caused injury and 120 were fatal, with heavy concentrations in areas where a pedestrian injury lawyer in Tulsa is often needed most:
- Downtown Tulsa
- 11th Street at Utica Avenue
- Admiral Place at Sheridan Road
These numbers underscore why every injured pedestrian needs clear information, experienced legal help, and an advocate willing to push back against negligent drivers and tight-fisted insurers.
Why Pedestrian Crashes Cause Such Serious Harm
Unlike drivers, walkers have zero protection against a two-ton vehicle. Even at moderate speeds the human body absorbs the full impact, leading to injuries such as:
- Fractures – broken legs are most common but arms, ribs, and facial bones also break.
- Traumatic brain injuries – concussions, contusions, and diffuse axonal injuries can change a life in seconds.
- Spinal cord trauma – high-energy impacts that can result in partial or total paralysis.
- Severe soft-tissue damage – deep lacerations, muscle tears, and disfiguring road rash.
These injuries can result in significant financial and emotional costs. This is why, if you are ever involved in a pedestrian accident, you need Tulsa pedestrian accident attorneys who are dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation.
At Aizenman Law Group, our lawyers specialize in holding negligent drivers and other responsible parties accountable for their actions. Whether it is by making a claim to the relevant insurance party or suing a reckless driver in court, we will get you the justice you are entitled to.
Oklahoma Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws at a Glance
Understanding right-of-way laws is key for determining liability in pedestrian accidents. Under Oklahoma law, three separate categories of pedestrians must be considered.
Crossing at a Marked or Unmarked Crosswalk
Oklahoma Statue: 47 O.S. § 11-502
Drivers must yield when a pedestrian is on the half of the roadway where the vehicle is traveling or approaching closely from the opposite half. Once one motorist stops, others behind may not pass.
Crossing Outside a Crosswalk
Oklahoma Statue: 47 O.S. § 11-503
Pedestrians must yield to vehicles when crossing between intersections that have working traffic signals.
Walking Along the Roadway
Oklahoma Statue: 47 O.S. § 11-506
Where sidewalks exist, pedestrians must use them. If none are available, they must walk on the left shoulder facing traffic.
Drivers’ Additional Duty of Care
Oklahoma Statue: 47 O.S. § 11-504
Every driver must exercise due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian, give audible warnings when appropriate, and use extra caution around children or visibly impaired individuals.
Violating any of these statutes is powerful evidence of negligence.
How Fault Is Determined in a Pedestrian Accident
Oklahoma follows modified comparative negligence. Each party’s share of fault reduces their recovery; a party more than fifty percent at fault cannot recover damages. Evidence commonly used to prove liability includes:
- Crash-scene photographs and skid-mark analysis
- Traffic-camera or dash-camera footage
- Mobile-phone records showing distracted driving
- Blood-alcohol results or drug test reports
- Independent witness statements
- The official police collision report
An experienced Tulsa pedestrian accident lawyer gathers and analyzes this evidence quickly before it disappears.
Common Driver Errors That Injure Walkers
Most serious pedestrian crashes trace back to one of three bad driving behaviors:
- Distracted driving. Texting, dialing the phone, adjusting a playlist, or talking to passengers pulls eyes from the road for critical seconds.
- Speeding. Higher speeds increase stopping distance and impact force, leaving drivers unable to brake in time.
- Impaired driving. Alcohol and drugs reduce reaction time and judgment, making it harder to detect a person crossing the street.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
The moments after a crash are chaotic. Following this checklist protects both your health and your future claim:
- Call 911 immediately and request police and EMS.
- Stay at the scene until officers arrive unless emergency transport is required.
- Exchange information – obtain the driver’s name, address, license number, and insurance.
- Document everything. Take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signs, and your visible injuries. Collect names and phone numbers of witnesses.
- Seek medical care the same day even if you feel “okay.” Adrenaline can mask serious trauma.
- Speak with a pedestrian injury attorney before giving a statement to the insurance adjuster.
- Follow medical advice and legal guidance consistently. Gaps in treatment or public comments on social media can undermine your case.
Damages Available to Injured Pedestrians
A successful claim may cover:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Physical rehabilitation and adaptive equipment
- Lost wages and diminished earning potential
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one
Because no two cases are identical, settlement values vary widely. In rare cases where a driver’s conduct shows reckless disregard for safety, Oklahoma courts may also award punitive damages designed to punish and deter similar behavior.
Skilled negotiation, backed by solid evidence is the best path to full and fair compensation.
Statute of Limitations in Oklahoma
Under 12 O.S. § 95(A)(3), most personal injury victims have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Missing the deadline usually bars recovery entirely, so contacting a lawyer early is vital.
Why Call Aizenman Law Group After a Pedestrian Crash?
- Local insight. As an Experienced Tulsa injury law firm, the team understands city planning quirks and court procedures inside out.
- Focused experience. Their caseload centers on serious injury and wrongful death, including pedestrian and bicycle collisions.
- No fee unless you win. Clients pay nothing up front. Fees come from the settlement or verdict, not the victim’s pocket.
- Comprehensive resources. The firm works with accident reconstructionist, economists, and medical experts whose testimony strengthens difficult cases.
You can learn more about the firm’s broader injury practice by visiting the Experienced Tulsa Personal Injury Lawyers page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to a Tulsa Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one was hit while walking, do not face the medical bills, paperwork, and legal deadlines alone. Walking should be safe. When drivers break that promise, Aizenman Law Group is ready to help you reclaim your health and your future.
Call Aizenman Law Group at 918-215-8856 any time day or night for a no-cost consultation. The sooner you act, the sooner a dedicated advocate can start protecting your rights.
