Top 10 Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Whenever you go for a ride, you take several safety precautions, starting with buckling up your seat belt.

When you drive at the proper speed and follow traffic laws, you’re also practicing safety. The fact that you’re in a sturdy steel frame surrounded by airbags also adds to your protection. Unfortunately, pedestrians don’t have the same level of protection. That makes them extremely vulnerable.

When a pedestrian is involved in a collision with a car, they can end up injured from the impact with the vehicle and the road. This is the kind of accident that can lead to a long and painful recovery, as well as missed work. All of that creates a burden for the victim, which is even worse when a driver’s negligence caused the accident.

In those situations, you would benefit from speaking with the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp.

We have many years of experience helping clients who have suffered injury and loss from a pedestrian accident. One of our first tasks is to delve into the details of the accident to determine the exact cause.

That will help us assign liability and focus on who to pursue for compensation.

The following are the top ten causes of pedestrian accidents.

Distracted Driving

According to information collected by the Nevada Department of Public Safety & Transportation, 24.4% of Nevada’s total traffic-related fatalities are from pedestrian crashes.

One of the most common causes of these accidents is distracted driving. There is certainly a lot to see when driving in downtown Reno, but that is not a good reason for a driver to take their eyes off the road.

In addition to looking at the sights, a driver can be distracted by talking on their cell, eating, changing the radio, smoking, drinking, or talking with passengers in their car. It only takes a moment of distraction to miss a pedestrian crossing the street.

Poor Visibility

Poor visibility caused by fog, rain, or low light at night can impair a driver’s ability to see pedestrians. While those conditions are a factor, they are no excuse for a pedestrian accident. A driver has to be especially cautious when visibility is poor.

Speeding

The faster a driver goes, the less control they maintain of their car. That is especially true when braking at high speeds. Increased speed also increases the force of impact on the pedestrian.

Driving Under the Influence

Reno has a vibrant nightlife that can sometimes cause problems for pedestrians. A driver who gets behind the wheel of their car while intoxicated will have impaired judgment and reactions. All of that puts pedestrians in harm’s way.

Vehicles Making Left Turns

A motorist making a left turn at an intersection should be focused on the approaching vehicles. However, they also have to be aware of a pedestrian who might be crossing in the crosswalk because they have the right of way.

Running Red Lights or Stop Signs

Running red lights or stop signs are prime examples of negligent driving. Pedestrians will expect that a car will stop at the sign or light. Failure to do that can lead to a pedestrian being struck.

Failure to Yield at Crosswalks

Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk. For a pedestrian, a crosswalk should be a safe zone that is honored by drivers.

Drowsy Driving

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs a driver’s judgment. A drowsy driver can experience the same level of impairment.

Inexperience

One reason teen drivers have higher insurance rates is their inexperience. That inexperience can lead to pedestrian accidents when the driver doesn’t expect anyone to walk in front of their car.

Road Construction Zones

Drivers are required to slow down when they approach construction zones. Signs, equipment, and sidewalk closures can compromise pedestrian safety, and the risk of an accident increases when a car enters the zone.

Help for Pedestrians

If you or someone you care about has been involved in a pedestrian accident, you need to explore all available options for seeking compensation to cover medical expenses and pain and suffering.

The Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp can provide information about pursuing those options. We can conduct a thorough investigation into the accident and take over communications with the insurance company.

Our goal is always to help our clients achieve the maximum possible benefits. That might include filing a civil complaint and taking the matter to court. We are fully committed to presenting a strong case for our clients.

Call to set up a free consultation to discuss what happened.