Pedestrian accidents are a serious problem in the United States. Every year, thousands of pedestrians are injured or killed in traffic-related accidents. Unfortunately, many of these incidents are preventable.
Pedestrian accidents are collisions between vehicles and people walking on or near roadways, often resulting in serious injury or death. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, in 2021, 7,485 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the United States.
To help prevent such tragedies, it is important to understand the most common causes of pedestrian accidents.
Jaywalking
Jaywalking is one of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents, accounting for more than 10% of all fatal pedestrian accidents. Jaywalking occurs when a pedestrian crosses the road outside a crosswalk or fails to yield to traffic when crossing in a crosswalk.
In some cases, drivers may be at fault for not yielding to pedestrians that are crossing outside of crosswalks. Drivers need to be aware of their surroundings and keep an eye out for pedestrians crossing illegally. To prevent jaywalking and pedestrian accidents, drivers should be cautious and courteous, especially near crosswalks, and pedestrians should always use crosswalks when crossing roads.
Distracted Walking
Distracted walking is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents. This can include anything from texting and talking on a phone while walking to listening to music or engaging in activities that keep your attention away from the road. Even something as simple as looking at a nearby store window or adjusting your clothing can be considered distracted walking
Distracted walking is especially dangerous when crossing busy intersections, as drivers may not always have enough time to stop if you suddenly enter their path. If you must use a cell phone while walking, make sure to keep your eyes focused on the path ahead and stay aware of your surroundings.
Poor Visibility
Poor visibility is one of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents. Various factors, including low light levels, darkness, fog, and rain, can cause poor visibility. When drivers cannot see pedestrians walking near or on the road, the risk of a collision increases dramatically.
Pedestrians should take extra precautions when visibility is poor by ensuring they are visible to drivers.
This can be accomplished by wearing brightly colored clothing and reflective items like reflective belts or armbands. Furthermore, pedestrians should always try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. This will ensure that the driver has seen them and will have time to react if necessary.
Intoxicated Walking
Pedestrian accidents caused by intoxicated walking are all too common. Intoxicated walking occurs when an individual has had too much to drink or has taken drugs and tries to cross the street. This type of accident can be extremely dangerous, as the pedestrian may behave in a manner that is unpredictable.
The most obvious cause of an intoxicated walking accident is alcohol impairment. When a person has been drinking and tries to cross a busy road or intersection, they may misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic and be hit by a vehicle. This is especially true if the person’s motor skills are impaired due to the amount of alcohol consumed.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving is one of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents. This type of driving involves behaviors like speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of lanes, running red lights, making unsafe turns, and more.
Such reckless behaviors increase the chances of pedestrian accidents significantly, as drivers often do not have enough time to react when they see a pedestrian in their path. When drivers behave recklessly on the road, they endanger themselves and others. In addition to staying alert and being cautious when walking near traffic, pedestrians should also look out for signs of aggressive driving, such as excessive speed and disregard for traffic signals.
As detailed above, pedestrian accidents are extremely serious. Pedestrians are completely unprotected, and the damage may be severe. If you or a loved one haev been in a pedestrian accident, your best chance at obtaining maximum compensation is by contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer. They will waste no time in collecting evidence, understanding the situation, and going to bat for you.
