Pedestrian accidents happen to be more common than we would like to think. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they account for as much as one death every two hours in the United States. And in the event that a pedestrian survives the accident, they may still suffer severe injuries that change their world forever.
Statistically, children under 10 and the elderly are noted as the most likely to be victims of a pedestrian accident.
Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents Include:
Intersection Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) up to 40% of all automobile accidents occur at intersections. These accidents are quite often the result of one driver’s poor judgment or reckless approach, such as running a red light.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) up to 40% of all automobile accidents occur at intersections. These accidents are quite often the result of one driver’s poor judgment or reckless approach, such as running a red light. Missouri’s laws on right-way-of intersection require drivers to yield to whoever is on their right, or whoever was first to approach the intersection:
“When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the driver of the vehicle on the right…”
Failure to Stop at a Crosswalk
Some drivers may be in too much of a rush to let pedestrians cross the road on a crosswalk. And while as a pedestrian you are allowed to cross the road from any point, crosswalks are the last place a driver will want to not take extra care.
Vehicle Backing Up
As drivers back their vehicles out of parking lots, (or streets with limited visibility) it is their responsibility to ensure that the space behind them is clear. However, accidents of this nature are not too uncommon, usually because the driver may be in too much of a hurry to take note of their surroundings.
Play Zone Accidents
Children playing outdoor games are oftentimes at risk of suffering pedestrian accidents. It’s usually a case of a child running in full motion to get their ball while unaware of approaching motorists. Drivers are advised to be extra-patient when driving through neighborhoods with children running around.
Reckless or Irresponsible Driving
Other ways that drivers cause pedestrian accidents include: Drunk driving, over speeding, distracted driving, or some other form of irresponsibility on the driver’s part.
Getting Legal Help for Injuries Suffered in a Pedestrian Accident
A devastating personal injury can be the source of great physical pain and mental anguish for any victim. If you’ve sustained serious injuries in a pedestrian accident due a driver’s negligence or incompetence, you’ll most definitely need the services of an experienced personal injury attorney to prove your case and recover the maximum compensation possible, so you can start getting your life back on track.
