Pedestrian Accidents in Winston-Salem, NC

The Bottom Line

Winston-Salem has a serious pedestrian safety problem, concentrated in neighborhoods where sidewalks are scarce and residents depend on walking for transportation. If you are hit by a car while walking in Winston-Salem, the location of the crash, whether you were in a crosswalk, and the driver's conduct all determine the strength of your claim. North Carolina's contributory negligence rule makes pedestrian cases especially challenging -- but drivers always have a legal duty to watch for and yield to pedestrians.

Why Pedestrian Accidents Are a Growing Problem in Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem was designed primarily for cars, and it shows. Many of the city's busiest corridors -- particularly in east and southeast Winston-Salem -- have limited or no sidewalks, forcing residents to walk along the edges of roads carrying 35-45 mph traffic. Crosswalks are spaced far apart. Streetlighting is inadequate in many areas where pedestrian traffic is heaviest.

The result is a pedestrian crash pattern that disproportionately affects lower-income neighborhoods. The areas with the fewest sidewalks and the poorest lighting tend to be the areas where residents are most likely to walk because they lack access to personal vehicles. This creates a persistent equity dimension to pedestrian safety in Winston-Salem that the city has been slow to address.

Forsyth County has seen pedestrian fatalities increase over the past decade, following a national trend of rising pedestrian deaths driven by larger vehicles, distracted driving, and inadequate infrastructure. Winston-Salem accounts for the majority of pedestrian crashes in the county.

Where Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Winston-Salem

Waughtown Street

Waughtown Street in southeast Winston-Salem is one of the most dangerous corridors for pedestrians in the city. The road carries moderate-speed traffic through a residential area with limited sidewalks and few marked crosswalks. Residents walking to bus stops, convenience stores, and community facilities must share the road with vehicles. Multiple pedestrians have been killed or seriously injured along this corridor.

Liberty Street

Liberty Street runs through downtown Winston-Salem and connects to residential neighborhoods to the north and south. The combination of vehicle speeds, turning traffic from commercial driveways, and pedestrians crossing between intersections creates frequent conflict points. The intersections of Liberty Street with Third Street and Fourth Street are particularly problematic.

University Parkway

University Parkway near Wake Forest University and the adjacent neighborhoods sees heavy pedestrian activity from students, faculty, and residents. The road carries significant vehicle traffic at speeds that are dangerous for pedestrians trying to cross multiple lanes. The intersection of University Parkway and Reynolda Road, near the entrance to Reynolda Gardens, is a known conflict point.

Peters Creek Parkway

Peters Creek Parkway south of Salem Parkway carries high-speed traffic past commercial areas where pedestrians cross to reach bus stops and shopping. The road's design prioritizes vehicle throughput over pedestrian safety, with wide lanes, long distances between crosswalks, and limited pedestrian signals.

Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

MLK Drive through east Winston-Salem connects residential neighborhoods to employment centers and commercial areas. The corridor has experienced multiple pedestrian crashes, particularly in areas where bus stops are located without safe crossing infrastructure nearby.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Winston-Salem

Emergency Medical Care

Pedestrian injuries are almost always more severe than injuries in car-on-car crashes because pedestrians have no protection. Common injuries include traumatic brain injury, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and internal organ damage.

For life-threatening injuries, you will be transported to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center on Medical Center Boulevard -- the region's Level I Trauma Center. For serious but non-life-threatening injuries, Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center at 3333 Silas Creek Parkway is also equipped to handle pedestrian crash victims.

Do not refuse transport to the hospital. Pedestrian crash injuries frequently include head trauma that is not immediately apparent, and internal injuries can be life-threatening without prompt diagnosis.

Police Report

The Winston-Salem Police Department will respond to pedestrian crashes within city limits. Officers will document the scene, interview witnesses, and determine preliminary fault. Request the report number before leaving the scene (or have someone do so on your behalf if you are transported by ambulance).

You can obtain the crash report from WSPD headquarters at 725 N. Cherry Street or by calling (336) 773-7700.

Evidence at the Scene

If you are physically able (or a companion can assist), document:

• The exact location where you were walking and where you were hit
• Whether you were in a crosswalk or at an intersection
• The state of traffic signals and pedestrian signals
• The presence or absence of sidewalks
• Lighting conditions
• The driver's vehicle, license plate, and any visible damage
• Witness names and phone numbers

This evidence is critical because pedestrian accident cases in NC often come down to whether you were in a crosswalk and whether the driver had a duty to yield.

How North Carolina Law Applies to Pedestrian Accidents

Contributory Negligence and Pedestrians

North Carolina's contributory negligence rule hits pedestrian accident victims particularly hard. If the insurance company can argue that you were:

• Crossing outside a marked crosswalk (jaywalking)
• Crossing against a "Don't Walk" signal
• Wearing dark clothing at night
• Distracted by your phone while crossing
• Walking in the roadway when a sidewalk was available

...they will assert that you were partially at fault and that your claim should be completely barred.

This is why the specific facts of where and how you were hit matter enormously. A pedestrian struck in a crosswalk with a walk signal has a much stronger claim than a pedestrian struck while crossing mid-block on a dark road. But even in the latter scenario, the driver may still bear primary responsibility if they were speeding, distracted, or failed to keep a proper lookout.

The Last Clear Chance Doctrine

North Carolina's last clear chance doctrine is an important exception to contributory negligence in pedestrian cases. If the driver saw you (or should have seen you) in time to stop and avoid the collision but failed to do so, you may still recover even if you were technically at fault for being in the road. This doctrine is particularly relevant in cases where a pedestrian was visible in the roadway and the driver was distracted or not paying attention.

NC Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws

Under N.C.G.S. 20-173, drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections. Pedestrians have a duty to use crosswalks when available and to obey traffic signals. However, drivers always have a duty to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians, regardless of who has the right of way.

Forsyth County Courts

Pedestrian accident lawsuits are filed at the Forsyth County Hall of Justice at 200 N. Main Street (21st Judicial District). Cases involving serious injuries (which most pedestrian cases do) are heard in Superior Court for claims exceeding $25,000.

What to Expect from Your Pedestrian Accident Claim

Pedestrian accident claims in Winston-Salem tend to involve more severe injuries and longer recovery times than typical car accident cases. The claim process typically follows this timeline:

Immediate phase (first 30 days): Focus on emergency and acute medical care. Your attorney obtains the police report and begins investigating the scene.

Treatment phase (3-12 months): Continue medical treatment, which may include surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. Pedestrian injuries often require extensive treatment.

Demand phase (1-3 months after treatment stabilizes): Your attorney submits a demand to the driver's insurance company documenting all damages.

Negotiation and resolution (3-12 months): Insurance companies often dispute liability in pedestrian cases, particularly if you were not in a crosswalk. Expect a more contentious negotiation than in a straightforward rear-end car accident.

Because pedestrian injuries tend to be severe, these cases often involve significant medical bills, long-term disability, and substantial pain and suffering. The total claim value is frequently higher than car-on-car accident claims, but the contributory negligence defense makes them riskier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the most dangerous areas for pedestrians in Winston-Salem?▾

The most dangerous corridors for pedestrians in Winston-Salem include Waughtown Street in southeast Winston-Salem, Liberty Street through the downtown corridor, University Parkway near Wake Forest University, Peters Creek Parkway south of I-40 Business, and sections of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. These corridors share common risk factors: high vehicle speeds, limited or missing sidewalks, inadequate crosswalk infrastructure, and poor lighting at night.

Can I file a claim if I was jaywalking when I was hit in Winston-Salem?▾

Jaywalking complicates a pedestrian injury claim in North Carolina because of the state's contributory negligence rule. If the insurance company can prove you were crossing outside a crosswalk or against a signal, they will argue you were partially at fault, which under NC law could bar your entire claim. However, drivers still have a duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid hitting pedestrians, even those not in crosswalks.

What should I do immediately after being hit by a car as a pedestrian in Winston-Salem?▾

Call 911 immediately. Do not move if you have serious injuries -- wait for EMS. When Winston-Salem police arrive, give them a factual account. Get the driver's information and license plate. Photograph the scene, your injuries, and any traffic signals. Get witness contact information. Go to the emergency room even if injuries seem minor.

Does Winston-Salem have a Vision Zero plan for pedestrian safety?▾

Winston-Salem has adopted pedestrian safety initiatives as part of its comprehensive transportation plan, though implementation has been gradual. Significant gaps remain, particularly in east and southeast Winston-Salem where pedestrian crash rates are highest and sidewalk coverage is lowest.