What are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
While you may enjoy walking down the street to grab a cup of coffee or simply get some fresh air, you may not think about the risk involved. With roughly 20 pedestrian fatalities occurring daily, you place your life in peril each time you walk or jog on a public or private street. Given a pedestrian’s vulnerability, injuries are to be expected. Broken bones are one of the most common injuries suffered by pedestrians, with other devastating injuries impeding the ability of a person to perform routine tasks.
In this article, our Greenville personal injury lawyers dive into common causes of pedestrian accidents and the types of damages victims can recover.
Distracted Driving
Whether you are talking on your phone, applying make-up, or changing the radio station, distracted driving encompasses any activity that takes your attention away from the road. Even driving at a slow speed, a pedestrian who is struck by a motor vehicle can still suffer catastrophic injuries. Research has shown that teenagers and young adults are most likely to be inattentive behind the wheel. A motorist who waits to read a text message upon arriving at a destination may be saving a life.
Drunk Driving
Alcohol takes the lives of many drivers and passengers each year, also contributing to the deaths of thousands of pedestrians. At 0.08%, most individuals will have slowed reflexes, reduced muscle coordination, and impaired judgment, increasing the likelihood of a pedestrian accident. Even though police officers are trained to spot signs of motorist impairment, such as drifting between lanes, erratic braking, and speeding, many drivers remain undetected.
Road Rage
You may recognize the telltale signs of aggressive driving, honking, tailgating, or even yelling profanities. In our chaotic world, road rage is becoming more prevalent, with 82% of drivers admitting to exhibiting aggressive behavior in the past year. Those who experience road rage are more likely to travel too fast for conditions and less likely to follow traffic laws, resulting in pedestrian injuries.
Fatigued Driving
In 2022, there were 693 deaths caused by drowsy driving, with over 50,000 people sustaining injuries. Research demonstrates that a motorist who has not slept for a 24-hour period has equivalent impairment to a person driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08%. While you may think that drinking a cup of coffee will increase your alertness, this is only a temporary solution. The hard truth is that a person who is fatigued is less aware of their surroundings and more likely to hit a pedestrian.
Speeding
Everyone seems in a rush to get somewhere, placing all road users at risk. In a recent year, 328,946 people were injured, and 12,151 people died in speed-related collisions. When you speed, your stopping distance increases. If a pedestrian is walking into the street between two parked cars or jaywalking, a driver who is speeding is unlikely to be able to stop in time.
Types of Compensable Damages for Injured Pedestrians
A pedestrian accident can leave you unable to fulfill your daily obligations, including working, taking care of your family, or running errands. If your injuries are caused by a driver’s negligence, that person should be held accountable to pay for your treatment and any accident-related costs.
At Fulton & Barr, Attorneys at Law, we have helped injury victims recover the following types of damages:
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Surgeries and procedures
- Prescription costs
- Physical therapy and rehab
- Home modifications
- Medical supplies
- Prosthetic devices
- Pain and suffering
- Infliction of emotional distress
Injured? Contact Our Greenville Personal Injury Lawyers
The costs of a pedestrian accident can be all-consuming, placing you in unmanageable debt. At Fulton & Barr, Attorneys at Law, we want to ease the financial burden that comes with being injured in a pedestrian accident by making the responsible party pay. To arrange your initial consultation with a Greenville personal injury attorney, contact us online or give us a call today.