Pedestrian accidents are a common occurrence, unfortunately. A pedestrian is in a much more vulnerable position when compared to a car driver, so serious injuries or death can often occur when there’s a collision.
In fact, 4,735 people were killed in pedestrian/motor vehicle accidents in just one recent year, according The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. About 66,000 pedestrians were injured in these accidents in the same year, with nearly one injury every eight minutes.
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident and the driver was negligent, you should talk to a pedestrian accident attorney so he or she can review the facts and determine if you should take legal action.
Frequent Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
The following are some frequent causes of pedestrian/motor vehicle accidents:
- Inattention: if a driver is distracted by a cell phone, other passengers in the car, or another activity, he or she may fail to see a pedestrian or may not be able to stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.
- Driving under the influence: alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause a driver to become drowsy, dizzy, or slow his or her reaction speed.
- Failure to yield the right of way: a pedestrian in a crosswalk has the right of way, but a driver may fail to see you or may simply fail to yield. This is more likely to happen if a driver is speeding, turning into the crosswalk, or has run a red light.
Determining Negligence in a Pedestrian Accident
Generally, the law requires that the driver and the pedestrian exercise a reasonable standard of care and follow the rules of the road. If one (or both) of them fail to do this, their behavior may be considered negligent.
Sometimes more than one person is at fault in an accident. Even if you’re partially at fault, you may still be able to recover money for damages in most states. The rules vary from state to state, so it’s important to talk to a pedestrian accident attorney to ensure that you’re properly represented.
Possible Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Case
You may be able to recover damages if the driver was negligent, including money for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Pedestrian accidents can often result in serious injuries that can cause lifelong disabilities, so you may also be able to receive money if you’re left with an ongoing disability or will be unable to work.
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact a pedestrian accident attorney for advice on how to proceed. He or she can help advise you in dealing with insurance companies as well as in determining whether to take legal action to recover damages.