There are certain actions by drivers that are commonly cited as the cause of pedestrian accidents. A pedestrian accident can result in serious injuries to the victim and far too often the injuries are so severe the victim does not survive. One of the most common factors that shows up time and time again in these crashes appears to be related to the inattention of the driver, especially when they are driving in areas where there are pedestrians.
Experienced car accident attorneys are available to help pedestrian accident victims get the financial compensation they deserve when they have been injured by a negligent driver. Some of the most common scenarios that our attorneys deal with include the following:
Driver Fails to Stop at a Stop Sign: The most common factor cited in pedestrian accidents is when a driver does not stop at a stop sign. This can be a deadly situation if there is a pedestrian in the middle of walking across a crosswalk and a vehicle driver blows through the stop sign. Even if a driver slows down, but does not stop, the pedestrian can still sustain serious injury upon the vehicle hitting them.
Driver Fails to Yield to a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk: The second most common factor that is cited as negligent driver behavior is when a driver fails to yield to a pedestrian at a crosswalk. Per State law, pedestrians have the right of way whenever there is a designated crosswalk or walkway. Crosswalks are especially common in areas where there is a high pedestrian traffic, near schools, and parks.
Driver Is Driving Under the Influence: Tragically, and despite all the education and warnings, there are still drivers who insist on getting behind the wheel of their vehicle when they have been drinking. Even a couple of drinks can hamper a driver’s ability to react quickly.
Driver Is Driving While Fatigued: Another common factor cited in pedestrian accident is that there was a drowsy driver behind the wheel. Studies show that fatigued drivers are not always fully aware of everything that is going on around them and may miss the pedestrian who is crossing the street in front of them. There have also been many incidents of drivers actually falling asleep while driving, causing the vehicle to jump a curb and plow into a crowd of pedestrians.
Driver Is Driving While Distracted: No matter how many videos of horrific crashes of drivers texting and driving, there are still so many drivers who engage in all kinds of distracted driving behaviors while they are driving. Texting, talking on the phone, playing with the radio, or talking to passengers are all activities that take the driver’s off the road where they may not see the pedestrian who has the right of way.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney for Help
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact a lawyer for help. A lawyer will make sure you get the financial compensation you may be entitled to under the law, including medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, and more. Call a law office today to set up a confidential case evaluation and find out how we can help.
Source: Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT, Rasmussen & Miner