Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Being a pedestrian can be more dangerous than you think. A pedestrian is injured every seven minutes and killed every two hours in the United States. In fact, this number has been growing in recent years, with the National Highway Transportation and Safety Authority estimating that 4,735 pedestrians were killed in 2013 and on average there are over 50,000 pedestrian accidents per year in the USA. While this may be shocking it makes more sense than one would think. Pedestrians have almost no protection once they are in a collision with a car. As a result accidents involving a pedestrian are more likely to cause injury or death than accidents not involving pedestrians are.

Why are these numbers so high? There are a number of reasons why pedestrian deaths and accidents have been increasing over the years. No matter the cause of a pedestrian accident, it is in everyone’s best interest to secure the services of a licensed attorney when there is an accident.

Here are some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents caused by driver negligence:

1. Disobeying traffic signs and signals, etc.
2. Distracted driving (texting, etc.)
3. Speeding
4. Driving under the influence
5. Bad weather or traffic conditions being overlooked
6. Not signaling while turning
7. Failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks

Location of Pedestrian Accidents

Most pedestrian accidents happen inside major urban centers. This makes sense as these locations are the ones most likely to have a high volume of pedestrian and automobile traffic. One of the biggest sources of pedestrian accidents is pedestrians crossing the road at a place other than a crosswalk or intersection. In order to stay safe make sure you and your love ones know and follow the proper guidelines for crossing the street. This can be the first step in prevention, and prevention is the best way to deal with accidents. Common factors that contribute to pedestrian negligence:

1. Entering and disrupting traffic flow
2. Not using marked crosswalks
3. Jumping / walking in front of a moving vehicle
4. Ignoring the “walk” signals at intersections

Lack of Visibility

A lack of visibility is another common cause of pedestrian accidents. It is no surprise that most pedestrian accidents occur between dusk and dawn, when visibility is extremely low. Pedestrian accidents also go up when there is fog, smog, heavy rain, and other weather events that make it harder to see on the road. Pedestrians can avoid these accidents by staying off the roads or by being extra cautious if they have to walk along roads in low visibility conditions. Pedestrians should wear high visibility clothing with bright noticeable colors. In doing so pedestrians will dramatically decrease the risk that they are struck by a car because the driver did not see them. Pedestrian safety should always be a primary concern for those walking or driving a car.

Alcohol Creates Accidents

While it is certainly dangerous and against the law to drink and drive, it is also dangerous to consume alcohol and then walk. 48% of pedestrian accidents involve alcohol consumption by the driver, the pedestrian, or both. When someone has been drinking they lose some of their ability to gauge depth and speed, which makes accidents all the more likely. If you are going to drink do so in moderation and make sure that you are familiar with your way home, or consider taking a cab or using the services of a designated driver.

Distractions Cause Accidents

While the growing use of mobile technology has been a boon to the economy and enhanced the day to day lives of millions, staring at a phone or tablet is not the safest way to get around. A large number of pedestrian accidents involve drivers or pedestrians looking at phones, sending text messages, making calls, or being distracted in other ways. In fact, one study found that pedestrians who are looking at a phone lose 95% of their field of vision while they are doing so. With the ever expanding reliance on mobile technology it is better to be safe than sorry when walking along a street or driving a car. Paying attention can help you avoid costly and painful injuries and accidents.

If You’re Involved in a Pedestrian Accident

Many times when people are injured in a pedestrian accident they face the predicament of the guilty party (person driving the automobile, bus, etc.) claiming that the pedestrian was negligent. If you are ever in a pedestrian accident be sure to do the following:

1. Get to a safe area out of the way of traffic
2. Call the police immediately and get a report
3. Do not leave the accident scene before help comes
4. Trade information with any witnesses
5. Do Not make any statements to anybody

Contact Avrek Law

If you have suffered an injury because the careless actions of someone else, the law provides solutions. Our pedestrian accident lawyers are waiting to help you recover damages, including medical bills and expenses, lost wages, as well as compensation for your pain and suffering.

While you have the right to represent yourself, hiring an attorney will almost always result in a better path to a full recovery. By hiring an expert you give yourself the best chance against insurance companies who will have a team of lawyers doing everything they can to prevent you from getting the damages you deserve. Avrek lawyers also handle workers compensation cases.

This is where Avrek Law Firm can provide assistance. We level the playing field. We know the tactics and tricks that insurance companies use. We also know how to negotiate the settlement you deserve and will take your claim to court if insurance companies try to short your damages.

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