Reasons Why Pedestrians Are More Vulnerable Than Others
Posted on March 19th, 2020 by Oddo & Babat, P.C.
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Many people get outside to walk or jog as a way to improve their health, or simply get where they need to go for work or other obligations. There tend to be more pedestrians in areas where public transportation is easily accessible. And while walking is surely good for our health, it can make us more vulnerable to danger. Pedestrians can get hit by car drivers and suffer fatal injuries, since they have no protection between their body and the car that hit them. Devastatingly, thousands of lives are lost and even more are injured each year due to pedestrian accidents.
Who is most at-risk for being part of a pedestrian accident?
Anyone who is walking around where cars are near is in danger of being struck by a car driver. However, there are certain characteristics that can put someone at a higher risk of being part of a pedestrian accident. Based on research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who are most vulnerable to pedestrian accidents include:
- Teens and younger adults (between 15-29) are more likely to be seen in an emergency room and treated for pedestrian accident injuries, compared to other age groups.
- Children are at the highest risk of fatality if they are hit as a pedestrian. Statistically, 1 in every 5 child fatalities were 14 years old or younger.
- Around 30% of pedestrians who didn’t survive the accident had a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 percent or more.
- The elderly are more likely to succumb to their injuries in the event of a pedestrian accident, because their bodies are not as strong in fighting off injury and illness as compared to younger years.
What are the main reasons that pedestrian accidents occur?
Car drivers must follow the rules of the road and exhibit reasonable care when operating a vehicle that weighs around 3,500 pounds. When an object of this size and weight hits the human body, the person is going to endure much more damage than the vehicle itself or even the driver. If drivers don’t abide by traffic laws, tragedy can ensue. The most common ways that drivers commit negligence on the road is because of:
- Speeding: speeding may be considered reckless driving if the driver knew they were putting pedestrians and others at-risk for harm with their behavior on the roadway. Pedestrians who are struck by speeding vehicles are significantly more likely to die upon impact or as a result of their injuries.
- Driving While Intoxicated: when a person is drunk or influenced by drugs while in the driver’s seat, their reasoning, driving skills, and reaction times are heavily impaired. A driver can easily miss seeing a pedestrian crossing in front of them within a crosswalk at a stoplight or stop sign.
- Failing to Halt or Yield: drivers who slowly or quickly roll through a crosswalk at a stop sign or intersection may be violating the pedestrian’s right-of-way, causing severe injury or fatality.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident as a pedestrian, don’t hesitate to reach out to a personal injury lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT to discuss your case and next steps to take. Contact a law firm today.
Thanks to Rasmussen & Miner for their insight into personal injury claims and pedestrian accidents.
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