What Contributes to Pedestrian Accidents?

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable users of our transportation system. Any accident involving a pedestrian has a higher likelihood of injury. Sadly, pedestrian accidents have been on the rise in recent years, reversing a trend of steadily improving pedestrian safety. Many factors can cause pedestrian accidents, including driver behavior, unsafe infrastructure, and pedestrian behavior. If you have been injured or a loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, it is important to be represented by lawyers who will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Factors that Contribute to Pedestrian Accidents

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest contributing factors of pedestrian accidents. These include but are not limited to:

• Alcohol – Alcohol-impaired drivers and pedestrians account for almost half of fatal crashes involving a car and a pedestrian. Alcohol can impair the judgment of both drivers and pedestrians and lead to severe collisions.
• Dangerous and distracted driving – Driving at a high rate of speed, driving recklessly, and driving while distracted all contribute to accidents. This has been especially true over the past few years and has been a significant factor in increasing pedestrian injuries and fatalities. While it is frequently cited in the news, distracted pedestrians only account for about 2 percent of pedestrian accidents. However, pedestrians should still be aware of their surroundings and pay attention to all traffic.
• Larger vehicles – Larger vehicles can contribute to more pedestrian accidents and more severe injuries. Pedestrians, especially at crosswalks, can be more difficult to see if they are close to a larger vehicle. Additionally, larger vehicles weigh more and will cause more severe injuries when their drivers hit a pedestrian.
• Nighttime – More pedestrian accidents occur at night when the visibility of both drivers and pedestrians is impacted.
• Infrastructure – Many areas suffer from incomplete sidewalk networks and inadequate crosswalks. More pedestrian accidents occur when pedestrians attempt to cross where no safe alternative exists. As mentioned earlier, more accidents also happen at night. More sidewalks, better-designed crossings at more locations, and more complete streetlight networks at high pedestrian activity locations can contribute to a safer environment.
• Age – Older adults and young children are more frequently victims of pedestrian crashes in the United States than other age groups are.

Contact a Naperville Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you need a lawyer who will work to get the compensation you deserve. We will fight to get you money to pay for your hospital bills, lost wages from time missed at work and compensation for your pain and suffering. Contact the DuPage County pedestrian injury lawyers at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices today for your free consultation. Call our office at 630-932-9100. 

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/pedestrian_safety/index.html

https://www.ghsa.org/resources/news-releases/GHSA/Ped-Spotlight22