When a pedestrian is struck by a car, the consequences might be disastrous. Although walking accounts for only around 11% of all travel in the United States, walkers account for over 13% of all vehicle-related fatalities each year. Furthermore, most pedestrian deaths happen at night in non-intersection sites in metropolitan regions.

The regular nature of pedestrian accidents stresses the need to understand why they happen. Here are some common causes of pedestrian accidents:

Distracted Drivers

Drivers who are texting or chatting on their phones endanger pedestrians and other motorists. At the same time, drivers might be distracted while changing the radio or air conditioner/heater in their car, controlling a navigation system, or tending to youngsters in the back seat. Pedestrians are put at risk when a driver’s attention is diverted from the road for even a second. Pedestrians who are engrossed in digital gadgets when crossing roadways, on the other hand, are in danger of vehicle-pedestrian collisions.

Drug or Alcohol Influence

When driving under alcohol or a drug, drivers are considerably less likely to see a pedestrian or respond if one is on the road. As a result, pedestrian harm is dramatically increased when people drink and drive. Each year, driving while drunk is a contributing cause of thousands of automobile accidents. According to the CDC, a motorist with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or above was involved in nearly 17% of deadly pedestrian accidents in 2017.

Poor Visibility

Various conditions can impair road visibility, increasing the risk of automobiles colliding with pedestrians. Poor weather conditions and objects or cars on the side of the road are examples of these issues. Pedestrians dressed in dark clothes at night and vehicles with inadequate headlights also contribute to pedestrian accidents occurring due to poor visibility. When limited visibility is a factor in an accident, different parties, such as the city or a road crew, may be held liable. On the other hand, poor visibility should make a pedestrian or driver cautious. Pedestrian accidents are frequently caused by failure to do so.

Adverse Weather

A slick road caused by rainy conditions may make it difficult or impossible for a car to stop in time to allow a pedestrian to pass. In addition, dangerous walking conditions may lead a pedestrian to tumble into the path of an unwitting automobile. Rainwater may also lead automobiles to hydroplane onto crosswalks, while ice can cause them to leap the curb.

Left-Hand Turns

A crosswalk having signals does not guarantee that vehicles will see them. Pedestrians are constantly at risk of being struck by automobiles turning left, since drivers are often focused on navigating congested junctions while looking ahead rather than to the left. Even at crossings with signals and crosswalks, automobiles turning left will hit three times as many pedestrians as cars turning right.

Road Construction

The hassles that accompany road construction are well-known to many individuals. However, many people are unaware that road construction might push pedestrians to stroll in places where vehicles are not expecting them.

Pedestrian’s Fault

In addition to driving errors, pedestrian errors can contribute to the probability of pedestrian accidents. Darting into traffic and neglecting to use walkways can increase the danger of a car-pedestrian collision. When a pedestrian darts into the street, the motorist may not have enough time to respond. As a result, they may collide with the pedestrian, resulting in serious injury.

Have you been involved in a pedestrian accident recently? You might be entitled to some form of compensation. Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer today to get the compensation you deserve.