Pedestrian accidents are one of the most common causes of death, and they are a leading cause of injury among children. They account for over 40 percent of all traffic deaths each year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). If you encounter an accident, you need to work on choosing the best pedestrian accident lawyer for yourself.
Distracted walking
Many pedestrians are distracted by the things they are doing with their cell phones or iPods, which causes them to forget about their surroundings and wander into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Distracted walking is often caused by texting or talking on a cell phone while walking down a street. Pedestrians should only cross between intersections if they have to cross the road; otherwise, they should wait until the green light comes on again before proceeding through the intersection. In addition, they should not cross at any time without looking both ways first and checking for cars approaching from behind them.
Dangerous driving behaviors
This includes speeding, running red lights, and making illegal turns at intersections. Other dangerous driving behaviors can also cause accidents, such as swerving in and out of lanes, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and driving too fast for the conditions. This can result in a great mess because pedestrians are unprepared for something like this. They are vigilant, but they are not ready to deal with a person driving recklessly on city streets.
The presence of alcohol and drugs
While it is true that alcohol does not cause itself, it can certainly impair one’s judgment and make them more vulnerable to any number of factors that could lead to an accident. There are many different types of drugs, but marijuana is one of the most commonly abused. Marijuana affects the brain, making it difficult for people to think clearly and make good decisions. This can lead them to do things they normally wouldn’t do while under the influence of marijuana, such as crossing against red lights or walking into busy intersections without looking both ways first.
Not wearing seatbelts or helmets
There are many reasons a person may not wear their seatbelt or helmet. It could be because they are unaware that they need to wear them. They might think the risk is low, so they don’t need to put on these safety devices. Or it could be because of peer pressure from other people who don’t want to wear them.
Regardless of why someone doesn’t want to use a seatbelt or helmet, the consequences can be fatal if they get into an accident and don’t have any protection on their head or neck.
ConclusionPedestrian accidents can be extremely fatal. They can even result in deaths which is horrible in itself. The common causes mentioned above are major reasons behind pedestrian accidents and can make a huge mess. Be safe while driving and walking on the streets. Pedestrians and drivers have their responsibilities and regulations they need to follow while they are on the streets.
