What common factors can contribute to a pedestrian accident?

• Posted on: November 24, 2014

• Blogs
• Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians who are struck by motor vehicles commonly suffer severe injuries, and even death is a high probability. Accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles remain a serious problem on California roads. Statistics show that more pedestrian accidents happen in urban areas than in rural areas, and although many pedestrian accidents occur at crosswalks and intersections, more occur in other areas where vehicles travel at higher rates of speed. Another interesting fact is that most fatalities and injuries for pedestrians are recorded in the late-night hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. However, official sources say that children and elderly people are most vulnerable to being a victim of a pedestrian accident.

Despite the fact that motorists are responsible for driving in a safe manner and observe road laws at all times, pedestrian fatalities and injuries that are caused by negligent drivers occur on a daily basis. Negligent practices often include distracted and inattentive drivers and their failure to yield to a pedestrian’s right-of-way. Drivers who disregard speed limit signs or traffic control devices may also cause accidents with devastating consequences.

Victims of pedestrian accidents often suffer severe injuries that may be life-changing. Possibilities include spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries that may lead to paraplegia or quadriplegia. It may also cause a coma and commonly involve multiple fractured bones. Unfortunately, a high number of victims lose their lives in pedestrian accidents.

California pedestrians who have suffered severe injuries, or families who have lost loved ones in a pedestrian accident that was caused by the negligent actions of a vehicle driver, may want to pursue compensation for the unanticipated expenses that follow. By retaining the services of an experienced personal injury attorney, the legal rights of victims or surviving family members will be protected. Professional presentation of a personal injury or wrongful death claim in a civil court may lead to fair compensation that commonly covers medical and end-of-life expenses but may include additional damages that are allowed by California laws. Our pedestrian accident website will provide additional information on how we handle personal injury claims.

Source: streetdirectory.com, “California Pedestrian Accident Statistics“, Nov. 22, 2014