Top Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Various statistics show that pedestrian accidents have soared in the past few years, increasing the number of personal injury claims. According to a study by the GHSA, pedestrian accidents increase by an average of 4.8% annually. Yet, understanding the causes of these pedestrian accidents will ensure that you know when to pick a personal accident attorney. The following are the most notable causes.

Distracted Drivers and Pedestrians

Various distractions, including text messages, calls, and emails, can make a driver cause a pedestrian accident. These distractions will often force the driver to take their eyes off the road, losing control of the vehicle.

There are three primary forms of distraction: cognitive, manual, and visual. A manual distraction forces the driver to take their hand off the steering wheel. These distractions include texting, grabbing something from the back seat, and drinking.

Visual distractions cause the driver to take their eyes off the road, losing control. On the other hand, cognitive distractions make the driver lose focus on the driving task. At the same time, distracted pedestrians could cause accidents. Such distractions could be visual or manual. For instance, some pedestrians might spend time on their electronic devices.

Impaired Driving

Impaired driving happens when a driver operates, controls, or drives a motorized vehicle under the influence. It often causes this individual a significant impairment, compromising their judgment. Notably, impaired judgment often compromises the safety of other road users, including pedestrians. It affects reasoning, muscle coordination, and cognitive abilities.

Impaired driving is a sign of negligence. It is a violation that places the driver and other road users in substantial danger. An excellent attorney will help establish liability, including determining their duty of care and consequent breaches. Unless these elements are proven, a personal injury claim will not hold.

Bad Weather

Bad weather can significantly contribute to pedestrian accidents. Most experts associate precipitation with poor driving capabilities, speed limit control, and compromised vehicular performance. These issues can result in pedestrian accidents, which could be fatal sometimes. The road will likely be slippery, making it significantly hard to control the vehicle.

Bad weather could also compromise visibility. In such instances, the driver will likely hit other vehicles and pedestrians. The extent of the damage caused will vary with the impact. Snow, fog, and mist are yet other common contributors to this problem.

Speeding and Recklessness

Speeding is one of the most prevalent causes of road accidents, including pedestrian accidents. Usually, speeding will cause this accident in multiple ways, including the inability to control the vehicle and little time for pedestrian reaction.

You will need an excellent pedestrian accident lawyer to represent you if you are a victim of speeding. This professional will also help determine whether the driver was reckless. Remember, recklessness is the inability to follow various traffic regulations.

Further, making left turns will often put most pedestrians in danger, particularly at crosswalks. In such instances, the drivers tend to concentrate on negotiating busy intersections, forgetting that pedestrians could be crossing. Unless the driver is careful enough, accidents will be inevitable. Arterial roads could also pose the same problem as drivers will find it challenging to change lanes.

Road Construction

Road construction could readily block the road, forcing pedestrians to walk where they are not supposed to. This element increases the chances of pedestrians getting knocked down. It is wise to be pretty careful whenever there is ongoing road construction. An excellent driver will also be wary of signs that show road construction.

Understanding the causes of pedestrian causes will help ensure that you make informed decisions. It will also indicate whether you should file a personal injury claim. With the insights above, this decision will be straightforward.