Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents happen all the time in the United States of America. Unfortunately, when a pedestrian accident occurs, it either results in death or injuries. Statistics show that in 2020 alone, 104,000 pedestrians suffered non-fatal motor vehicle accident-related injuries, and over 7,000 died. There are many causes of pedestrian accidents. Understanding these causes can help reduce the number of pedestrian deaths and injuries.

Leading Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

In Florida, the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include, but are not limited to, the following;

Distracted Driving

Many pedestrian accidents happen when a motorist is not paying attention to the road. Distracted driving can take on many forms, not just texting or talking on the phone while driving, although these are the most common forms of distracted driving behavior. Other forms of distracted driving behavior include grooming while driving, eating or drinking while driving, and using a music or navigation system. Any form of distraction can prevent a driver from seeing a pedestrian and reacting on time to avoid a crash.

Distracted Walking

Distracted walking is when a pedestrian is not paying attention to their surroundings. Most people think of distracted driving as a problem but do not see distracted walking as a big deal. The truth is that distracted walking is quite dangerous. A person who is looking down at their phone while walking is likely not paying proper attention to the surrounding traffic. This increases the risk of an accident. A distracted pedestrian might also engage in unsafe crossing behaviors, such as failing to use a crosswalk or failing to look left or right, thus increasing their risk of being involved in an accident.

Impaired Driving

Drivers who operate their vehicles while impaired by drugs or alcohol not only put themselves and other drivers at risk. They also put pedestrians and other road users, such as cyclists and motorcyclists, at risk. Impaired driving can affect a driver’s ability to notice pedestrians or react in time to avoid a crash.

Bad Weather

Sometimes, bad weather is to blame for pedestrian accidents. For example, bad weather might make it impossible for a driver to stop in time to allow a pedestrian to pass, and dangerous walking conditions might cause a pedestrian to fall into the path of an unsuspecting driver. However, at times, even if the weather is bad, it may not be the cause of. Drivers are legally obligated to adjust their driving according to the road and weather conditions.

Speeding

Speeding is one of the leading causes of all accidents involving motor vehicles. When a driver is going faster than they should be, they may not have enough time to react if they see a pedestrian. Often, pedestrians are struck by speeding drivers because the driver was unable to stop or brake in time to avoid the pedestrian.

Not Wearing Reflective Clothes at Night

According to research, most pedestrian fatalities happen at night when it is dark. Not wearing reflective clothes at night could be one of the reasons for this. It is advisable that at night pedestrians avoid wearing clothes that make them appear “invisible” to drivers. When pedestrians wear such clothes, they are four times more likely to be struck by a vehicle. At the same time, drivers have a duty to be aware of pedestrians and expect that people are walking at night.

Vehicles Turning Left

Pedestrians are at a high risk of being hit by drivers making left turns. Navigating a left can be complex. A driver making a left turn might be too focused on the other vehicles that they fail to notice a pedestrian.

Failing to Follow Traffic Laws

Most pedestrian accidents happen because of negligence such as making illegal U-turns and failing to follow directional signs.

In Florida, if a pedestrian accident happens because of a driver’s negligence, the victim or their family can file a claim against the driver and recover compensation. If a pedestrian accident occurs and the pedestrian is partially to blame for the accident the amount of compensation recovered will be reduced based on the percentage of the pedestrian’s fault. After a pedestrian accident, it is best to reach out to a qualified attorney. An attorney can help assess the situation and determine if a valid personal injury or wrongful death claim exists.

Contact a Fort Myers Pedestrian Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one was in a pedestrian accident, contact our Fort Myers pedestrian accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro. We can help you assess your situation and determine if you have a valid claim. If you do, we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.