Pedestrian accidents are, unfortunately, much more common than you might believe. It is important for all of us to be aware of why they might happen.
With this in mind, the main causes of these accidents are things like:
- Working, playing, or standing on the road.
- Not yielding the right of way.
- Poor visibility.
- Improperly crossing an intersection or roadway.
- Running into a road.
- Doing an activity under the influence (this includes medication, alcohol, and drugs).
It is also common for pedestrians to be seriously injured or even killed when distracted or doing several other activities. Whenever injured, it is important to get the help of a Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyer. They can tell you more about your case and help you get the financial compensation you need.
Not Yielding Right Of Way
When saying “right of way,” we mean the legal right motorists or pedestrians have to have precedence in specific situations or locations. As a very simple example, when the traffic signal lets the pedestrian proceed onto crosswalks, motorists have to let them cross.
If the right of way is not yielded, the motorist or the pedestrian commits a serious traffic violation.
Improperly Crossing An Intersection Or Roadway
Pedestrians can cross intersections or roadways in an improper way. And it is always possible that someone tries to cross in other locations than crosswalks, which is commonly referred to as jaywalking.
If the pedestrian improperly crosses the roadway, the driver will not have enough time to react properly. This often leads to severe injuries. When the pedestrian is the one behaving negligently, drivers can actually hire accident attorneys and file injury claims when hurt.
Poor Visibility
There are so many factors that can reduce road visibility and lead to accidents involving pedestrians. Some of the very common ones are:
- Bad weather
- Vehicles or objects present on the side of the road
- The vehicle has poor headlights
- The pedestrian is wearing dark clothing while walking at night
- Bright lights shine in the eyes of the pedestrian
If poor visibility is what caused the accident, liability needs to be assessed. The parties liable can be motorists, pedestrians, or several other parties, like road crews or the city. In the event that we see poor visibility, motorists and pedestrians have to be more careful. When this does not happen, pedestrian accidents are very common.
Driving Under The Influence
DWI (driving while intoxicated) is quite a common contributing factor in accidents involving cars every year. In fact, almost 20% of all fatal pedestrian accidents did involve a driver with a higher BAC (blood alcohol concentration) than the legal limit.
It is important to understand that alcohol and drugs will impair your judgment. Something as simple as walking or crossing the street becomes difficult. Operating cars is even more difficult. Both motorists and pedestrians who drink too much or use drugs can always cause an accident, regardless of how in charge of their actions they think they are.
When an accident involves DUI or DWI, it is vital to consult with criminal defence attorneys in Fergus Falls or your area. These professionals who are experienced in criminal law will be able to guide you through the process and help you build a case.
