Most people go about their day without thinking that they could be in a pedestrian accident. They have confidence that if they are walking through a crosswalk, on a sidewalk or in a parking lot that drivers are operating their vehicles safely. However, pedestrians are injured each year in serious accidents.
Common pedestrian accidents
Thousands of pedestrians are treated in emergency rooms each year and unfortunately, some pass away from their injuries. Pedestrian accidents can happen in several ways.
Serious accidents can happen when the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, operating their vehicle at a high speed and is unable to stop or in situations where there is low visibility, either at night or in bad weather.
Drivers can also cause an accident if they fail to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, pass other vehicles who are waiting for a pedestrian or back up without looking behind the vehicle for people passing by. Children may be especially susceptible in these situations because they can be harder to see and may suffer more impactful injuries.
Precautions
Pedestrians can take some precautions to stay safe. These include wearing reflective clothing at night, being aware of their surroundings and walking away from traffic.
It can help to walk in well-lit areas and avoid walking outside when weather conditions could reduce visibility. Even with these precautions, however, drivers have a responsibility to watch out for pedestrians.
If a pedestrian is hurt in an accident, he or she may have to pay expensive medical bills and may lose work while he or she heals. An experienced attorney can pursue a claim for compensation on his or her behalf.
