A vehicle hitting a pedestrian can be termed one of the most traumatic accidents one could ever experience. Yet, it happens so regularly. According to the CDC, over 5,000 pedestrians die in car accidents annually, while an estimated 137,000 others visit the ER for non-fatal accidents. This makes one wonder, what spurs pedestrian accidents? Read on to find out.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
A pedestrian is anyone walking along the road in a developed or undeveloped area. Pedestrian accidents commonly occur due to;
Motorists have a duty of care for other road users. They are required to exercise reasonable care at all times, and failure to do so is termed as negligence. Unfortunately, most pedestrian accidents happen due to the motorist’s negligence. Most motorists observe their duty of care, but others fail to do so because of;
Pedestrians Failing to Observe Duty of Care
Just like motorists, pedestrians are also legally required to practice reasonable care for their safety. They must also observe road regulations to avoid danger. Accidents stemming from pedestrian negligence often occur when;
Bad Weather
Besides driver and pedestrian negligence, another common cause of pedestrian accidents is bad weather. A slippery road on a rainy day may make it difficult for a vehicle to stop on time resulting in an accident. Similarly, a slippery road may cause a pedestrian to slip and fall into the path of an oncoming car.
Road Construction
Road construction projects don’t just cause traffic jams and slow motorists down; they also present a road hazard for pedestrians. How? Well, a road construction happening right in the middle or next to a crosswalk may leave a pedestrian no option but to jaywalk in an area of the road where motorists least expect.
Left-Hand Driver Turns
When turning left, most drivers usually focus on how to take on the busy intersection ahead instead of what’s happening on the left. This puts pedestrians at high risk of being hit by a car turning left.
What to Do When Involved in a Pedestrian Accident
A pedestrian accident can be super traumatizing. If involved in one, you should do the following;
Let the Professionals Help
Also, avoid making any statements to anyone on the scene except the police. While at it, be sure to contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney. Remember, pedestrian accidents are subject to the statute of limitations. Therefore, you need to contact a pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. If you or someone you love was involved in a pedestrian accident, give us a call or hit the online chat button to schedule an obligation free consultation today.
blogs
Five Apps for Increased Road Safety
Staying safe on the road is more important as more and more cities become increasingly dependent on automobile transportation. Increasedroad safety is about diligence and attentive driving, but there are also ways to “gamify” or in other ways incentivize safe driving, through smartphone apps. Here are five apps designed to keep you less distracted and […]
Bike Maintenence Checklist
For those of us who bike to work, it’s clear that riding around is more than a hobby. Biking is something that can improve your mental and physical health. It can become a way of life, because to do it right takes commitment. You need to learn the best and fastest bike routes, have all […]
Statute of Limitations and Personal Injury
For many of us, when a personal injury occurs there can be a lot of mixed feelings. Some people may feel guilty that they got injured, even when the blame lies with someone else. The first concerns you will obviously have will be about your health and safety. You may not even be considering what […]
Five Products for Truck Driver Safety
Truck drivers are the backbone of the economy, and their safety is of the utmost importance. Not only are they at special risk of trafficaccidents, but truck driving comes with a host of other dangers. The easiest way to stay safe while driving any vehicle is being aware of your surroundings and making sure your […]
Mold and LA Renters — Know Your Rights
You may have heard of “mold growth” in passing. Depending on the situation, the story you heard may have been about a simple annoyance, a house deal that fell through, or a sneezing fit. However, there are a lot worse stories than that out there; mold can cause severe allergies, incapacitation, and even worse health […]
5 Things Cyclists Should Do After a Bike Accident in California
Biking, especially on a highway, is a fun and an adrenaline-filled way to keep fit and explore what California has to offer. At the same time, it’s also a dangerous activity as the chances of being rear-ended by a motorist in California are pretty high. Unfortunately, when a bicycle accident happens, most cyclists often have […]
Safest Cars for 2022
If you are in the market for a new car, there are a lot of things on your mind. Besides cost and value, there is also style, reliability, and size to consider. But, above all, the most important thing should really always be safe when it comes to buying a new car. There are a […]
Understanding California’s Lemon Law
Under California’s Lemon Law, you are protected as a consumer when a vehicle you have purchased is deemed defective and cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of repair attempts. This helps keeps dangerous vehicles off the road, leads you with legal recourse if you are sold a faulty vehicle, and helps get you back […]
How Dangerous Are Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are more likely to die in a traffic accident than people inside passenger cars. In fact, they are 28 times more likely, due to a number of factors, including things like potential low visibility from the blind spots of other vehicles around them. Motorcycles are also most likely to be involved in collisions with […]
Top 4 Personal Injury Myths
Personal injury cases are more rampant than you can ever imagine. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 31 million of the injuries that occur every year often call for medical care. Considering their prevalence, it comes as no surprise that there are so many myths and misconceptions surrounding personal injury. Think you got […]
contact form
