Getting out for a walk, run, or jog can be a great way to get fresh air and some exercise. Being a pedestrian, however, has its own set of dangers. Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to nearby traffic patterns. Lacking both the size, weight, and protections that come with riding in a car, pedestrians stand to sustain serious, if not fatal, injuries if involved in an accident with a motor vehicle. Let us take a look at some of the common causes of pedestrian accidents.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Reckless driving decisions on the part of car, truck, or other motor vehicle operators make up many of the common causes of pedestrian accidents. Speeding, for instance, commonly plays a role in pedestrian accidents. When a driver speeds up, the time they have to effectively react to a sudden situation is greatly reduced. Seeing a pedestrian too late to stop is a more prominent risk when a car is driving at accelerated speeds. Unfortunately, speeding has the added effect of the impact is substantially worse.
Another reckless driving decision that commonly plays a role in pedestrian accidents is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Consuming drugs and alcohol means a person is driving when their driving abilities are likely significantly impaired. Judgment drops to all-time lows. Reaction time greatly slows. This is a recipe for disaster and why driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a common cause of pedestrian accidents.
Distracted driving is also a common cause of pedestrian accidents. When a driver is looking down at a phone, eating, drinking, or paying more attention to a conversation with a passenger than on the road, pedestrians can quickly go unseen until it is too late. While you may think that you are great at multitasking or taking your eyes away from the road to glass at your phone for just a moment will not do any damage, it simply is not worth the risk. Driving is a privilege and one that should demand total concentration. When this does not happen, people, like pedestrians, get hurt.
On the other side of things are behaviors displayed by pedestrians that can lead to a pedestrian accident. Distracted pedestrians are far too frequently involved in accidents. Pedestrians that are looking down at their phones place themselves in danger. Paying attention to surroundings is important to staying safe. Even if you are on a sidewalk or walking in a crosswalk, paying attention can make the difference in avoiding an accident.
Personal Injury Attorneys
Have you or a loved one been injured in a pedestrian accident? Focus on health and recovery while the dedicated team at SoCal Injury Lawyers takes on the legal fight for recovering monetary compensation you will need to pay for things such as medical bills and follow up medical care. Contact us today.