The arrival of spring means warmer weather and that means that more people will be participating in more outdoor activities. Many state’s residents and visitors enjoy walking, whether for pleasure or exercise. But this increase in the amount of people outdoors also means the potential increase in pedestrian accidents.
According to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 5,000 people who are killed each year in pedestrian accidents. More than 150,000 victims end up at hospital emergency rooms for non-fatal accident injuries.
The CDC statistics show that children and older people are most at risk for becoming pedestrian accident victims. In that one year alone, one out of every five children killed in motor vehicle accidents were pedestrians at the time they were killed. Pedestrians who are over the age of 64 accounted for just under 20 percent of victims killed that year, and 10 percent of pedestrians injured.
The number one cause for pedestrian accidents in the CDC’s study year was alcohol. Alcohol was involved in just under 50 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents. Speeding and distracted driving are two other common causes of pedestrian accidents.
State Laws
Under the laws of most states, vehicle drivers are required to yield to pedestrians who are crossing a street in a clearly marked crosswalk or at an unmarked intersection at the end of a street block. In fact, the driver’s manual issued by the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles instructs drivers to always be on the lookout for pedestrians, bicyclists, or other slower-moving vehicles that could be in the road.
Unfortunately, there are too many drivers who do not follow this law and the results can often be tragic. An accident law firm has successfully represented many clients who were seriously injured using a crosswalk because a negligent driver failed to obey the law.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney to Advocate for You
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver, contact a lawyer to find out what legal options you may have. Not only may you be entitled to medical expenses and loss of income, but you may also be entitled to financial compensation for pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and any scarring or disfigurement your injuries have left. If there were extenuating circumstances, such as the driver who hit you was drunk, you may also be awarded punitive damages.
Your pedestrian accident attorney can also deal with driver’s insurance company to ensure that your rights are protected. Call a law office today to schedule a confidential consultation and find out how they can help.
Source: Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT, Rasmussen & Miner