Every year, thousands of pedestrians suffer injuries in accidents, leaving families devastated and communities shaken. For example, Pennsylvania alone reported 3,152 pedestrian-involved crashes, resulting in 198 fatalities and 786 suspected serious injuries in a recent year.
These aren’t just statistics – they represent real people whose lives changed forever in an instant. As we navigate our increasingly busy streets, understanding the root causes of these accidents becomes important not just for pedestrians but for everyone.
Whether you’re walking to work, exercising, or simply enjoying a day out, your safety shouldn’t be compromised due to a driver’s negligence. If it is, you can likely recover compensation from the at-fault party under state law. To learn more, call a pedestrian accident attorney near you today.
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In today’s internet-connected world, distracted driving has emerged as one of the top causes of pedestrian accidents. It’s not just about texting anymore. Drivers use GPS systems, scroll through playlists, or even watch videos while behind the wheel. Each second a driver’s eyes are off the road is a second where a pedestrian’s life hangs in the balance.
In areas with frequent pedestrian crossings, this distraction can be catastrophic. The popularity of smartphones has only made the issue worse, with drivers unable to resist the urge to check notifications or respond to messages while driving.
Speeding remains a deadly problem on our roads. It’s not just about breaking the law – it’s about dramatically reducing the time a driver has to react to unexpected situations, like a pedestrian stepping onto the road. In residential areas or school zones, where children might dart out unexpectedly, speeding can turn a near-miss into a tragedy.
The physics is simple but brutal: the faster a vehicle is travelling, the more severe the impact. A pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 20 mph has about a 90 percent chance of survival. Increase that speed to 40 mph, and the survival rate plummets to just 10 percent.
One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents is the failure of drivers to yield the right of way. This often occurs at crosswalks and intersections where pedestrians have the legal right to cross. Drivers, either through inattention, distraction, or simple disregard for traffic laws, fail to stop or slow down for pedestrians.
Failing to yield to pedestrians is particularly dangerous at intersections where drivers are making turns. A pedestrian crossing with the signal may be struck by a driver making a right turn on red without properly checking for foot traffic. Similarly, left-turning drivers focused on finding a gap in oncoming traffic may overlook pedestrians in the crosswalk they’re turning into.
Despite decades of public awareness campaigns and increasingly strict DUI laws, impaired driving continues to be a major cause of pedestrian accidents. Alcohol, illegal drugs, and even some prescription medications can severely impair a driver’s judgement, coordination, and reaction time.
An impaired driver may have difficulty judging distances, speeds, and pedestrian movements. They might fail to notice a pedestrian crossing the street or misjudge the timing needed to stop safely. The consequences of these impaired decisions are often fatal for unsuspecting pedestrians.
The decision to run a red light or stop sign is a gamble that some drivers take, often with catastrophic results for pedestrians. These traffic control devices are designed to create predictable and safe intervals for all road users to navigate intersections. When drivers choose to ignore them, they create chaos in these critical zones.
Pedestrians, especially those who may have limited mobility or reaction time, are particularly vulnerable when drivers disregard traffic signals. A pedestrian stepping into a crosswalk, trusting that approaching vehicles will stop for a red light, can be caught completely off guard by a driver who decides to “beat the light.”
While we can’t control the weather, drivers must adjust their behavior to account for poor visibility conditions. Nighttime driving, fog, heavy rain, or snow can significantly reduce a driver’s ability to see pedestrians in time to react safely.
Pedestrians, often assuming they are visible to drivers, may not realize how difficult they are to spot in these conditions. This misconception can lead to dangerous situations, especially on poorly lit roads or during twilight hours when depth perception becomes more challenging for drivers.
Reckless and aggressive driving pose a significant threat to pedestrian safety. These behaviors can include tailgating, weaving through traffic, excessive speeding, and even road rage incidents. Drivers exhibiting these behaviors are often less focused on their surroundings and more on their own immediate goals or emotions.
In environments where pedestrians are common, aggressive driving can lead to sudden lane changes, abrupt stops, or unpredictable maneuvers that put pedestrians at risk. The unpredictable nature of these actions makes it difficult for pedestrians to anticipate and avoid dangerous situations.
Many pedestrian accidents occur when drivers are executing turns or merging into traffic. These maneuvers require drivers to be aware of multiple factors simultaneously, and unfortunately, pedestrians are often overlooked in the process.
Right turns on red, for instance, are a common scenario where pedestrians are struck. Drivers focused on finding a gap in traffic to their left may not thoroughly check for pedestrians crossing from their right. Similarly, left turns across multiple lanes of traffic can be dangerous, as drivers may be more concerned with oncoming vehicles than with pedestrians in the crosswalk they’re turning into.
Driver fatigue is an often-underestimated cause of pedestrian accidents. Long hours on the road, late-night driving, or simply not getting enough sleep can significantly impair a driver’s ability to react quickly and make sound decisions.
A fatigued driver may have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and even experience microsleeps – brief, involuntary episodes of sleep that can last for a fraction of a second or up to 30 seconds. Even a moment of inattention due to fatigue can have devastating consequences.
When pedestrian accidents occur because of driver negligence, the consequences can be life-altering. Victims often face significant medical bills, lost income, and long-term physical and emotional trauma. Fortunately, in many cases, you can recover compensation for these and other losses. Contact a personal injury lawyer near you to protect your rights and your future.
Marcus & Mack
