Whether you are walking to school, out for a jog, or picking up food for dinner, everyone becomes a pedestrian at some point or another. When walking near a road or major highway there is always a possibility of an accident occuring. Below are some of the common causes of fatal pedestrian accidents. If you lost a loved one, speak with a Middlesex County pedestrian accident attorney to discuss your options and next steps.
What Are Some of the Leading Causes of Fatal Pedestrian Accidents?
Pedestrians can sustain injuries and death for various reasons. While the statistics will vary year to year and change depending on the area you are in, the following are generally some leading causes of fatal pedestrian accidents.
- Speeding: When a car is traveling at excessive speeds the driver may not be able to stop in time to let a pedestrian cross and avoid a collision. The faster a car is traveling the more likely the victim is to sustain serious injuries or even death.
- Distracted driving: One of the leading causes of all accidents, distracted driving can easily cause a fatal accident. Talking on the phone, eating, changing the radio station, or anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road could result in them failing to see a pedestrian in time to avoid an accident.
- Distracted walking: In the same vein, pedestrians can participate in distracted walking. If they are looking down at their phone or not paying attention they may walk out into the road when a car is coming and get hit.
- Failure to yield the right of way: At different points in time either a pedestrian or a driver will have the legal right of way, meaning that they have the right to make a turn or cross an intersection first. If the pedestrians have a walking light and a driver disregards their right of way it could cause an accident. Similarly, if the driver has the right of way and a pedestrian steps out into the street anyway, they could get hit.
- Failure to follow traffic laws: Disobeying the rules of the road in general can result in a pedestrian accident. If a driver rolls through a stop sign, makes an illegal U-turn, or runs a red light, it could result in the vehicle striking the pedestrian.
- Intoxicated driving: Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous. Intoxicating substances inhibit a driver’s ability to perceive obstacles and react to hazards as they appear. Driving while intoxicated can result in a driver being unaware of a pedestrian and not being able to react in time to avoid an accident.
- Pedestrian negligence: When pedestrians do not follow the rules of the road it can cause an accident as well. If they dart out into the road suddenly, cross where there is no crosswalk, or stand or lay in the middle of the road, they can be struck and killed.
If someone you know was injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim and receive compensation. Contact a skilled attorney for more information.
