Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

 Posted on June 10, 2014 in Personal Injury

It is important to realize that accidents between vehicles are not the only causes of injuries and fatalities on Illinois roadways. Pedestrians are also at risk, and often they are severely hurt when involved in an accident with a car. It is important for pedestrians to take proper safety precautions while on the streets in order to avoid an accident.

The Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 70,000 pedestrians suffer injury and more than 4,000 are killed across the country each year as the result of a collision with a vehicle. The nicer the weather, the more likely an accident is to happen. In addition, age contributes to the likelihood of a pedestrian accident, with a significant proportion involving either those over the age of 65 or under the age of 15.

Likely Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Many factors are usually at play in causing an accident. Drivers must be responsible in operating their vehicles, but pedestrians must also take responsibility for their actions in contributing to a dangerous situation. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Pedestrians in the roadway: The majority of pedestrian accidents occur on the road. Approximately two-thirds occur on city streets. At times, bike riders using the sidewalk may strike a pedestrian or force them into the road, putting them at greater risk of being struck by a vehicle.

• Unmarked crosswalks: Intersections are a likely place for a pedestrian accident to occur. Pedestrians who employ the use of signaled crosswalks significantly reduce their risk of being hit by a car. In addition, clearly marked crosswalks attract the attention of drivers to pedestrians that may be present in the road.

• Left hand turns: Pedestrians are three times more likely to get hit by a car turning left than one turning right since both parties are focusing their attention toward different things; the driver is often more focused on passing through the intersection than looking for pedestrians ahead.

• Electronics: While distracted driving undoubtedly causes many crashes, the use of handheld devices by pedestrians is often risky behavior as well.

• Quiet cars: Battery-operated and hybrid vehicles are more likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident since walkers are known to listen for traffic in addition to looking for it.

• Darkness: A majority of pedestrian accidents occur at nighttime, when people are often harder to spot. Pedestrians who wear brightly colored clothing or carry a pocket light may be easier to spot by drivers.

• Alcohol: Alcohol use should not only be avoided by drivers, but by pedestrians as well. About 37 percent of pedestrians who are killed in a crash have a blood alcohol level above the legal limit.

Accident Injury Attorney

If you have been involved in an Illinois pedestrian accident, the experienced attorneys at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices can assist you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We serve clients in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Kendall, and Will Counties.