Even if you don’t walk often, you’re probably a pedestrian more often than you realize. For example, you are considered a pedestrian as you walk from your vehicle into the grocery store or your place of business.
With this in mind, you need to understand the most common causes of pedestrian accidents. This knowledge can help you avoid trouble that could result in serious injury or even death.
Here are some of the top causes of pedestrian accidents, starting with some of the mistakes often made by drivers:
- Reckless driving, which can include things such as speeding, failure to stop at a red light and swerving
- Failure to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks
- Any form of distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Drowsy driving
- Neglecting to consider the traffic and/or weather conditions
These are the types of mistakes a driver can make that increase the risk of a vehicle-pedestrian accident. However, as a pedestrian yourself, there are things you need to do to remain safe:
- Only cross the road at designated crosswalks (if possible)
- Never dart into traffic
- Never disrupt the flow of traffic
- Make it easy for drivers to see you, such as wearing bright clothing when walking or jogging at night
A vehicle-pedestrian accident is every bit as serious as it sounds, as the pedestrian doesn’t have any protection. Even if the car is moving at a slow rate of speed, this type of collision typically results in serious injury or death.
If you or a loved one has been part of a vehicle-pedestrian accident, don’t hesitate to learn more about the cause. You may soon find that the driver was acting in a negligent manner, such as texting at the time of the crash.
Once you understand the cause, you can then focus on your legal rights as an injured pedestrian. Depending on the circumstances and the steps you want to take, it’s possible to seek compensation for injuries and other damages.