March 21, 2022
Pedestrian accidents are primarily caused by a driver’s negligence or inattention, although additional factors such as driver perplexity or aggressive driving significantly increase the risk of pedestrian accidents.
A car hitting a pedestrian can be one of the most traumatic car accidents anyone can ever have. Because there are so many people on the sidewalks every day, these types of accidents unfortunately happen.
If you or your loved one was injured because another vehicle hit you, you may have grounds to hold the driver liable for your injuries or damages. You can work with a lawyer to build your case.
Main Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents
If a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, they are in great danger. To reduce the chances of a crash, you must take caution.
Several factors can cause a pedestrian accident.
Distracted Driving
As the popularity of hand-held devices has grown in recent decades, so has the number of distracted driving accidents. Drivers who are texting or talking on their cell phones risk pedestrians and other motorists.
Pedestrians who are engrossed in digital devices while crossing the streets, on the other hand, are also at risk of vehicle-pedestrian accidents. So the bottom message is that you should not use digital devices when walking or driving in traffic.
Impaired Drivers
Drivers who drive while drunk or under the influence of drugs endanger everyone on the road, particularly pedestrians.
Pedestrian accidents can occur when drunk drivers drive through crosswalks against the lights or make left turns right into a group of pedestrians. All pedestrians crossing the street at night should remain cognizant of impaired drivers.
Impatient Drivers
If a pedestrian does not see your vehicle and begins crossing the street against the light, the pedestrian has the right of way. Unfortunately, many pedestrian accidents are caused by impatient drivers who do not look out for pedestrians or try to drive through pedestrians walking in crosswalks.
Recklessness
One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents is recklessness on the part of both drivers and pedestrians. Pedestrians can be endangered by drivers who do not look for pedestrians or who do not obey traffic laws at crosswalks.
Bad Weather
A slippery road may make it difficult or impossible for a vehicle to stop in time to allow a pedestrian to pass, and hazardous walking conditions may cause a pedestrian to fall into the path, which is unsuspecting to the motorist. Rainwater can also cause cars to hydroplane into crosswalks, while ice can lead them to jump the curb.
Road Construction
The inconveniences that come with road construction are familiar to many people. However, many people are unaware that road construction can force pedestrians to walk in areas where vehicles are not expecting them.
Vehicles Making Left Turns
Just because a crosswalk has signals does not mean that drivers will see them. In addition, pedestrians are always at risk of being hit by cars turning left since drivers are often focused on negotiating busy intersections while looking straight ahead rather than to the left.
Multi-Lane/Arterial Roads
Arterial roads can represent a danger to pedestrians. Other drivers changing lanes, speeding, making unsafe lane changes, and tailgating are all issues that drivers must deal with. For the most part, drivers are not looking out for pedestrians or even paying attention to traffic signals.
Unmarked Crosswalks
Pedestrians walking in the street in marked crosswalks have the best visibility possible. The purpose of road striping, signs, and traffic signals is to draw a driver’s attention to the fact that somebody is on the road.
The features that warn drivers of pedestrians crossing the road are missing from unmarked crosswalks. Although you have the right to cross in these areas, you should keep an eye out for oncoming traffic and leave enough room for other vehicles to yield to you.
Jaywalking
Crossing a road outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk is called jaywalking. The pedestrian must yield to the motorist outside of pedestrian crosswalks. Though far, the most common way for pedestrians to create accidents that harm or kill them is by jaywalking. If you are injured in a pedestrian accident while jaywalking, you may only be entitled to a low amount of compensation, if any at all.
A Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help
The lawyer will fight diligently for your rights, so you receive compensation which may include (depending on the circumstances of your case):
- Past, Present & Future Lost Wages;
- Past, Present & Future Medical Bills;
- Damages for Pain & Suffering;
- Punitive Damages for Reckless or Intentional Misconduct.
According to the law, motor vehicles must yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks and on sidewalks. Motor vehicle drivers’ failure to take adequate caution around pedestrians can result in significant/catastrophic injuries, as well as death.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a motor vehicle, the California Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Khashan Law Firm can help you get the appropriate compensation you deserve!
We will meet with you to evaluate your case and for determining how our skills can best help you. Call us today at 951.461.2387 to set up an appointment for a free consultation.
On a contingency fee basis, we represent pedestrian accident clients, putting the might of an experienced law firm in your corner for ZERO OUT OF POCKET COST.