What Are Some Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
Every vehicle on the road must follow traffic laws, exercise reasonable care, and watch out for pedestrians. Unfortunately, that is not always the case and accidents do happen. As a pedestrian, the person should take extra precautions and never assume that the drivers are aware of them. Here are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents caused by driver negligence:
- Speeding: speeding significantly increases the time it takes to come to a full stop, decreases the time the driver has to analyze their surroundings, traffic signs and presence of people. Pedestrians suffer much greater, life-threatening injuries if involved in an accident with a speeding vehicle.
- Intoxicated driving: driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medicine slows the reaction time and general motor skills as well as awareness.
- Distracted driving: cell phone use, eating or having a conversation can all cause a driver to not see a pedestrian.
- Weather conditions: snow, rain, fog can all contribute to low visibility and result in a pedestrian accident.
- Not following traffic laws: this includes left-hand turns, yielding to pedestrians, right turns on red and more.
Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accidents can bring devastating consequences to the victim’s life and the lives of their family members. The injuries can be as mild as some scrapes to as serious as broken bones and even death. There are numerous factors that play into the severity of the injuries including the speed, the type of vehicle, the position of the person, and more. Here are some of the most common physical injuries suffered as a result of a pedestrian accident:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
Safety Tips for Pedestrians
Santa Maria is known for its beautiful weather — it is part of the reason the area attracts so many pedestrians. To stay safe on the road, pedestrians should stay alert and attentive. Even the most cautious pedestrians can be struck by an inattentive driver. If you have been injured, retain our Santa Maria pedestrian accident lawyers for effective, comprehensive legal representation. We focus a large portion of our practice on personal injury law — our team has litigated and negotiated countless accident claims for clients in and around Santa Maria.
Contact Experienced Santa Maria Lawyers Today
No doubt, the people of Santa Maria love walking. However, when a pleasant walk turns into a life-threatening ordeal, you need counsel from the sharp attorneys at James McKiernan Lawyers. Contact us today for a free initial consultation. We operate on a contingency basis — meaning there are no fees collected unless you win compensation.
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