Pedestrian accidents are among the most dangerous of all motor vehicle accidents, with a higher rate of severe injury and death than almost any other type of accident. Sadly, many of these accidents are avoidable, and are caused by factors that could be prevented or mitigated with adequate care on the part of negligent drivers. Here are five important factors that contribute to the likelihood of pedestrian accidents:
- Driving at night
- Pedestrians are disproportionately likely to be the victims of car crashes when it is dark outside, making nighttime drivers particularly dangerous to them. While pedestrians can wear reflective clothing to help drivers see them, ultimately they are at the mercy of drivers who may not take proper care to look for pedestrians. When drivers fail to consider the darkness when driving at night, they make pedestrian accidents more likely.
- Checking for pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections
- Pedestrians will sometimes cross the road where they are not supposed to, but for the most part pedestrians will cross at designated crosswalks and intersections. However, that makes these places very busy, and a careless driver can hit a pedestrian crossing at an intersection or crosswalk if they are not careful. Left turns are notoriously hazardous, with some drivers not noticing people crossing the street until it is too late.
- Keeping distractions away
- Distracted driving is a hazard seen in all types of motor vehicle accidents, and pedestrian accidents are no exception. When people use their cell phones, eat, drink, change the radio, program their GPS, or do anything else while driving, they risk not seeing something happening in front of them on the road. This vastly increases the risk of an accident and makes it more likely that an accident will occur at high speed, resulting in more severe injuries.
- Failing to check along the sides of roads
- Ideally, pedestrians would only travel on sidewalks where it is reasonably safe and drivers need not worry about hitting them. Unfortunately, some people will walk along the side of the road, or some places will lack sidewalks. Drivers who are not careful about pedestrians on the side of the road can easily hit them, resulting in pedestrian accidents.
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Under no circumstances should anyone ever be driving while under the influence of an intoxicating substance, whether it is alcohol or anything else. Even prescription medications can induce an effect that can make it dangerous to drive. When people drive under the influence, they place themselves and everyone around them at a higher risk of an accident, including pedestrians.
Fox Law Firm, PLLC is a New York personal injury law practice serving clients throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. With over three decades of experience, attorney Kevin Fox has helped clients in personal injury cases obtain the compensation they deserve. For more information or to ask for a consultation, call our Riverhead office at 631-779-3400 or visit our contact page.
