Whether you’re caught in a roadside accident or have suffered a slip-and-fall injury at your workplace, pedestrian accidents happen more than you think. According to a report, 17% of crash deaths in 2021 were pedestrians. In fact, as per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most pedestrian deaths occur between 6 to 9 p.m. When you understand the cause of a pedestrian accident, you can take the necessary precautions. In this article, you’ll learn about the major reasons behind pedestrian accidents and how to deal with them to ensure the fastest recovery.
What Is a Pedestrian Accident?
17% of motor vehicle fatalities consist of pedestrians who are either hurt, burned, or severely injured in a deadly collision. Most pedestrian deaths occur on urban roadways with speed limits between 45 to 55 miles per hour. Failure on the part of the pedestrian or the driver to implement safety norms is a plausible reason for an accident. Most pedestrian injury cases occur as a result of negligence, breach of conduct, and drunk driving, among many others. When you’re identifying the cause of a pedestrian accident, you must establish who’s responsible for the injury and gather relevant evidence to support your claim. The liable party must provide compensation for the damage sustained.
Common Pedestrian Injuries
Pedestrians can suffer from minor and major injuries in an accident. Since pedestrians don’t carry safety equipment, they’re unable to avoid certain accidents, like getting injured in a car crash. Common injuries sustained are cuts, bruises, and bone fractures, including major injuries like internal organ damage or paralysis that could cause permanent immobility or a disability.
Some pedestrian accidents may cause dental injuries or impaired vision or hearing, while few may result in wrongful death. Pedestrian injuries may also include serious bone breaks and trauma to the brain or spinal cord, often impacting the upper and lower extremities. There have been many cases where a pedestrian suffers injuries in an accident where the at-fault driver may be driving a bike, car, or a commercial vehicle. According to a recent report by the NHTSA, approximately 70,000 pedestrian injuries and 4,641 fatalities occur due to traffic-related accidents.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Research states that senior citizens above 65 and children below five account for 20% of pedestrian fatalities in the United States. Some main causes of pedestrian accidents include negligence, roadside crashes, poor visibility, and more.
Failing to Yield Properly
Every pedestrian has the legal right to proceed with caution when walking, running, or covering a distance in a particular location. For instance, when a pedestrian needs to cross the road, a motorist must act accordingly to the situation by allowing safe passage until the traffic signal directs them to pass through the crosswalk area. Failing to yield properly in such situations can lead to an accident.
Crossing a Roadway Improperly
Many pedestrians walk into an accident when they cross the road improperly. For instance, when a person attempts to cross the street in front of oncoming traffic or walk somewhere other than the crosswalk, accidents can happen. Some pedestrian accidents may occur as a result of negligence, like when a driver is distracted by their phone and hits a pedestrian, causing severe injury and damage.
Places With Poor Visibility
A lot of roadside accidents on highways occur as a result of bad weather conditions. With little to no visibility, drivers tend to get into accidents with pedestrians, especially if they’re wearing dark clothes. Other instances, like being blinded by the rear lights of a vehicle, may also lead to confusion that may cause a collision. Poorly maintained automobiles with low lighting are also responsible for most pedestrian accidents.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving while intoxicated is the most common factor in most motor vehicle accidents, out of which 17% include pedestrian fatalities. Drugs and alcohol can impair a driver’s judgment and focus, reducing their ability to operate the vehicle. Most drivers crash into pedestrians when they’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs. On the other hand, a pedestrian under the influence may also get into an accident when they’re unable to cross the street.
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
A pedestrian may also get injured in a slip-and-fall incident. Such cases are location-based, and property owners are often deemed liable for the damage. For instance, a pedestrian may slip and fall while walking due to improper wiring and tangled electrical cords hanging off the streets without any safety measures in place.
Do You Qualify for Compensation Over a Pedestrian Injury?
Pedestrians who get injured because of an accident (like when crossing the street or working along the roadway) can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. To build your case, you must gather evidence like medical records, witness statements, photographs of your injury and the accident scene, and more. As a pedestrian, you can demand compensation for any physical, emotional, and financial loss endured after the accident. For instance, you can claim compensation for punitive damages in a case of negligence like drunk driving, speeding, and more.
Based on your circumstances, you can claim compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses for doctor appointments, nursing, medication, surgeries, physical therapy, emergency care, tests, and future treatments: This can also include the cost of rehabilitation, psychological therapy, assisted devices like a wheelchair, and more.
- Loss of income applies when a pedestrian has to take time off from work to recover from their injuries: Regardless of whether the leave is paid or unpaid, the at-fault person or entity is liable to help you recover the lost wages and workers’ benefits.
- Pain and suffering are non-economic damages that can include emotional distress, depression, trauma, and mental anguish. For instance, a victim’s mental health may deteriorate if they’ve lost the ability to earn because of the accident.
- Property damage applies when any asset (like a home fence, garage, or vehicle) gets destroyed in an accident. You can request the liable or at-fault party to cover the cost of repairing your property or replacing the asset in a property damage claim.
