What Are Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

What Are Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

Pedestrian accidents can leave victims with serious injuries or cause a loved one’s death. When another person’s actions lead to your pain and suffering, you must understand the cause to determine whether you qualify to seek compensation.

So, what are the common causes of pedestrian accidents, and what can you do to hold the responsible party accountable and obtain justice and compensation?

Whether you're dealing with injuries yourself or trying to navigate the grieving process after a family member's death, you must know your rights and options. You may qualify to obtain compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial impacts on your life. However, you need an experienced pedestrian accident attorney for help.

If you’re suffering due to another party’s negligent or wrongful actions, contact a Minnesota pedestrian accident lawyer near you for a free consultation today. They’ll help guide you through the process and ensure your rights are protected.

What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents?

Pedestrian accidents can happen for many reasons, often due to a combination of driver behavior, environmental factors, and infrastructure problems. Understanding the causes of pedestrian accidents can help you avoid them, and if you’ve been involved in one, it can provide clarity on how liability works. Below are some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of accidents, including pedestrian crashes. When drivers aren't fully focused on the road, they may not notice pedestrians in crosswalks or on the side of the road. Here are a few common distractions:

• Texting While Driving: Sending or reading a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for several seconds, which is more than enough time to miss seeing a pedestrian in a crosswalk or attempting to cross at an intersection.
• Talking on the Phone: Even if a driver isn't texting, talking on the phone can cause them to lose focus on their surroundings. Conversations can divert attention away from traffic signals, crosswalks, and pedestrians.
• Eating or Drinking: Drivers often eat or drink on the go, which can take their hands and eyes off the wheel. Reaching for food or a drink, or even taking a sip, can impair a driver’s ability to spot pedestrians in time to stop.
• Adjusting Entertainment Systems: Many vehicles have infotainment systems that can be complex to use. When a driver adjusts music or GPS while driving, they may not notice pedestrians crossing the street or entering an intersection.

Impaired Driving

Impaired driving includes driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or fatigue. These impairments reduce reaction time, limit judgment, and decrease awareness of surroundings.

• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol: Alcohol impairs coordination, judgment, and reaction time. When a driver is intoxicated, they may fail to see pedestrians crossing at intersections or walking on the side of the road.
• Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (Prescription or Illegal): Prescription medications or illegal drugs can also affect a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. Many drugs, whether prescription, over-the-counter, or illicit, can impair judgment and reaction time, leading to pedestrian accidents.
• Drowsy Driving: Fatigue can be just as dangerous as alcohol or drugs. A driver who is overly tired may not see a pedestrian in time to avoid a collision. Drowsiness can also cause slower reaction times and affect a driver's ability to judge distances accurately.

Failure to Yield Right of Way

Failure to yield the right of way is a common cause of pedestrian accidents. Drivers often fail to stop or slow down when pedestrians have the right of way.

• Drivers Not Yielding to Pedestrians at Crosswalks: One of the most common locations for pedestrian accidents is crosswalks. Some drivers fail to yield to pedestrians who are walking through the crosswalk. In these cases, pedestrians may be hit by vehicles that should have stopped.
• Drivers Turning Right on Red Without Checking for Pedestrians: Many drivers turn right at intersections without checking for pedestrians who may be crossing at the same time. Even if the light is green, drivers are still required to yield to pedestrians, and a failure to do so can lead to a collision.
• Drivers Failing to Stop at Stop Signs or Red Lights: Ignoring stop signs and running red lights are dangerous driving behaviors that can result in pedestrian accidents. Drivers who don't stop at intersections or traffic signals may miss seeing pedestrians crossing and cause a crash.

Speeding

Speeding reduces the time a driver has to react to a potential hazard, including pedestrians. Pedestrians may not have enough time to judge how fast a vehicle is approaching, and a speeding vehicle makes it harder for a driver to stop in time.

• Reduced Reaction Time for Drivers: When a driver is speeding, they have less time to react to pedestrians who step into the street or cross without warning. This can result in an accident before the driver has a chance to hit the brakes.
• Increased Severity of Injuries in Accidents: Higher speeds not only increase the likelihood of a collision but also raise the severity of injuries. Pedestrians struck by speeding vehicles are more likely to suffer serious or fatal injuries than those hit by a vehicle traveling at lower speeds.
• Difficulty for Pedestrians to Judge Vehicle Speed: Pedestrians sometimes have trouble estimating how fast a vehicle is traveling, especially when it’s coming toward them at a high speed. This makes it harder for them to cross safely, as they may misjudge when to step into the road.

Poor Visibility

Limited visibility due to environmental factors can make it harder for both drivers and pedestrians to see each other. Accidents are more likely when either party doesn't have a clear view of the situation.

• Low Lighting Conditions (Night, Dawn, or Dusk): At night, during dawn, or at dusk, visibility is significantly reduced. Drivers may not see pedestrians in dark clothing or crossing the street in poorly lit areas. Similarly, pedestrians may have difficulty seeing oncoming vehicles, especially if headlights aren’t clearly visible.
• Weather Conditions (Rain, Fog, or Snow): Bad weather can make roads slippery and reduce visibility. Heavy rain, fog, or snow can obscure both the pedestrian and the vehicle, making it difficult for either to react quickly enough to avoid a collision.
• Obstructed Views Due to Parked Vehicles or Foliage: Parked cars or overgrown vegetation can obstruct the view for both drivers and pedestrians. Drivers may not see pedestrians stepping out from behind a parked car, and pedestrians may not be able to judge whether it’s safe to cross if their view is blocked.

Infrastructure Issues

Poor infrastructure or inadequate pedestrian facilities can also contribute to accidents. When crosswalks, sidewalks, or traffic signals are poorly designed or maintained, they can create dangerous conditions for pedestrians.

• Inadequate or Poorly Maintained Crosswalks and Sidewalks: Broken sidewalks, missing crosswalk markings, or poorly designed intersections can force pedestrians into unsafe situations. If pedestrians are forced to walk in the street because there is no sidewalk, they are at risk of being hit by a vehicle.
• Lack of Pedestrian-Friendly Infrastructure in High-Traffic Areas: In some areas, roads are not designed with pedestrians in mind. High-traffic areas without safe pedestrian walkways or crosswalks force people to cross at dangerous locations, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Insufficient Lighting in Pedestrian Areas: Without adequate streetlights, pedestrians become harder for drivers to see. Poor lighting around crosswalks, intersections, and pedestrian areas can make it difficult for both pedestrians and drivers to avoid accidents.

By addressing these causes, cities and drivers can reduce the number of pedestrian accidents. However, accidents still occur, and if you’ve been injured in one, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries and losses. A pedestrian accident attorney can help you explore your legal options and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident to Protect Yourself and Your Legal Rights

If you've been involved in a pedestrian accident, your primary concern should be your health and safety. Here’s what to do immediately after the accident to protect yourself:

Stay at the Scene

Don’t leave the accident scene, even if the driver or another person tells you it’s okay. If you can, move to a safe spot, but don’t leave the area. Call 911 right away to report the accident.

Seek Medical Treatment

Even if you don’t feel like you’ve been seriously hurt, see a doctor as soon as possible. Injuries from pedestrian accidents may not be immediately obvious. Prompt medical attention will also help strengthen your case if you decide to seek compensation.

Document the Accident

If you’re able, take photos of the scene, including the vehicle, any visible injuries, and any other relevant details. Get the contact information of any witnesses and the driver involved.

Contact a Lawyer

Speak to an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve. They’ll advise you on how to handle insurance companies and the steps you need to take to protect your legal rights.

If you’ve already received medical treatment and are now recovering at home or in the hospital, it’s never too late to seek legal help. A lawyer will guide you through the process of filing a claim and negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company to secure compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.

How an Attorney Can Help You Obtain Compensation

A personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. They can gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if needed. When someone else’s actions have caused you harm, you shouldn’t have to bear the burden of medical bills and lost income. An attorney will fight to ensure you’re fairly compensated.

What Kinds of Compensation Can You Receive from a Pedestrian Accident Claim?

Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be entitled to several types of compensation, including:

• Medical Expenses
• Lost Wages
• Pain and Suffering
• Property Damage
• Emotional Distress
• Permanent Disability or Disfigurement

Your Options If a Pedestrian Accident Killed a Close Family Member

If a pedestrian accident has taken the life of a loved one, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. This claim allows surviving family members to seek compensation for:

• Funeral and Burial Expenses: The costs of arranging a funeral and burial can add significant financial strain to a grieving family. In a wrongful death claim, you may be able to recover compensation for these expenses.
• Loss of Financial Support: If your loved one was the primary breadwinner, you may be entitled to compensation for the lost income that would have been provided. This can include future earnings that would have been generated by the deceased had the accident not occurred.
• Loss of Companionship and Emotional Support: Losing a close family member is not just a financial loss—it’s a profound emotional one. You may be able to receive compensation for the loss of love, companionship, and support that the deceased would have provided to you and other surviving family members.
• Medical Expenses Before Death: If the deceased was transported to the hospital and incurred medical expenses before passing, those costs may be included in the claim as well. This can include the cost of emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, and any other medical treatments required before death.
• Pain and Suffering: In some states, surviving family members may also be able to recover damages for the emotional pain and suffering caused by the loss. This can include compensation for the anguish, grief, and trauma experienced by family members following the sudden loss of a loved one.

Contact an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers today. Our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers is ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve. With our assistance, you’ll have a team working tirelessly on your behalf to protect your rights and ensure you recover full and fair compensation. 

Reach out for a free consultation today and learn how we can help you and your family move on after this devastating event.