Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

A recent report published by Smart Growth America noted that between 2005 and 2014, a total of 46,149 people were struck and killed by cars while walking in the United States. In 2014, the most recent year for which data are available, 4,884 pedestrians were killed by a motor vehicle. Between 2005 and 2014, Americans were 7.2 times more likely to die as a pedestrian than from a natural disaster.

The majority of pedestrian related accidents are unavoidable by pedestrians. However, if you know what the common causes of these types of accidents are, you can be more aware of potential dangers and may be able to avoid getting seriously injured.

5 Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Below are five common culprits of pedestrian-related accidents:

1. Improper Lane Use. Most pedestrian accidents happen on roads with two-thirds happening on city streets. Bicyclists riding on sidewalks can also hit pedestrians or force them onto the road.
2. Unmarked Crosswalks. Intersections are a hotbed for serious pedestrian accidents. Using signaled crosswalks can significantly reduce the risk of these serious accidents. Clearly marked pedestrian pathways are important near parking lots because motorists are less likely to see pedestrians when they are focused on finding parking spots or pulling into or out of a parking spot.
3. Left Hand Turns. Statistics show that pedestrians are three times more likely to get hit by cars turning left than by cars turning right. The reason is that both parties are looking somewhere else – in other words, the drivers are busy negotiating the intersection and pedestrians are looking straight ahead.
4. Use of Electronics. Use of cell phones and other such electronic devices are very dangerous – both for motorists and pedestrians. A recent study by NYU Langone Medical Center shows that 8% of pedestrian accidents happen while victims are using electronics.
5. Quiet Cars. Battery-operated and hybrid cars are 40 percent more likely to strike pedestrians than their gas guzzling counterparts. The reason is that pedestrians detect oncoming traffic more with their ears than their eyes. So when a quiet car is on the street, pedestrians are less like to be conscious of the potential danger of getting hit by the car because they can’t hear it.

Compensating Pedestrian Accident Victims

Getting hit by a motor vehicle as a pedestrian can cause serious harm. Unlike passengers in cars, pedestrians do not have the safety of seatbelts or airbags. As such, even the slightest impact from a car can result in major injuries. Car accident victims may be entitled to compensation for:

• Past and future medical bills
• Loss of wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Any other costs related to the accident

Contact an Experienced Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you should discuss your legal options with an attorney as you may be entitled to compensation. The Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas advocate for our clients’ full financial recovery through hard work and aggressive lawyering. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our attorneys, please call the Law Offices of Samer Habbas at 949-727-9300.