You’ve been hit by a car while walking. You may be injured and you need to know what happens next. A pedestrian hit by a car can suffer serious injuries, such as broken bones and internal bleeding. In some cases, pedestrians may even die as a result of being hit by vehicles.
It’s a good idea to get medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t think you have any injuries. If you have suffered an injury from being hit by a car, you should go to the emergency room or urgent care clinic. You may also need a pedestrian accident lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve. But, what matters most is you get treated for any injuries so that they don’t become worse.
In this article, we’ll talk about some important things everybody should know about pedestrian accidents.
What is a Pedestrian Accident?
A pedestrian is any person who is not driving or riding in a motor vehicle or street car. They could be walking or running across the road, as well as crossing it at intersections and crosswalks.
In the United States alone, there were over 70,000 pedestrian accidents in 2017 and close to 5,000 deaths related to these accidents. This number represents a 2 percent increase from 2015 and is the highest number of pedestrian deaths since 1990.
Pedestrian accidents can happen at any time of day or night and in any place that pedestrians are allowed to be on public roads. In fact, they are most common at intersections where traffic signals are in use, and motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians must all share the same space safely. If a motorist fails to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian in this type of situation, they can be liable for any resulting injuries sustained by the pedestrian involved in the accident, whether or not it was intentional on their part.
Common Cause of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are the leading cause of death for people under the age of 34 in the United States. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2016 alone.
Pedestrian accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Distracted driving. Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from driving. As more people use their smartphones while driving, this problem has increased dramatically over the last few years. Texting, talking on the phone, and even singing along with music can all cause distractions for drivers and lead to pedestrian accidents.
- Speeding. Speeding is another major factor in pedestrian accidents because it increases a vehicle’s momentum and puts pedestrians at risk if they don’t get out of the way fast enough when they see an approaching car or truck coming toward them at high speeds.
- Alcohol abuse. Drunk drivers pose a significant threat to pedestrians because they’re less likely to see them or pay attention as carefully as sober drivers would when approaching crosswalks or intersections where pedestrians might be crossing streets without traffic signals or crosswalk lights. Remember, alcohol or drugs impair driver judgment, reaction time, and field of vision.
- Negligent Pedestrians. Pedestrians who do not look before crossing the street
- Negligent Drivers. Inattentive drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections.
- Poorly maintained sidewalks. This creates hazards for pedestrians.
Important Things To Know About Pedestrian Accidents
The fact that you are a pedestrian is not an excuse to disregard your safety. You can still be injured by a motor vehicle, even if you are on foot. Pedestrian accidents happen all the time, and they can cause serious injuries or even death.
The driver is usually at Fault.
If the driver was at fault, he or she will probably be charged with a crime. This usually means reckless driving or negligent driving (depending on how serious the accident was). If convicted, they could face fines and/or jail time of up to 18 months in prison. They may also be required to pay restitution (money) for any damages caused by the accident (medical costs, property damage, etc.).
If the driver isn’t at fault (for example, if your own negligence caused the accident), then they may still be required to compensate for damages caused by their vehicle.
Remember, that pedestrians have the right of way if they are crossing a street at an intersection or crosswalk with traffic lights. However, if there are no traffic lights present then drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing their path from either direction – no matter which side of the road they are coming from!
You will need medical attention.
Your injuries may not be immediately apparent after you are hit by a vehicle, but they could develop later. If you experience any pain or discomfort after being hit by a car, do not hesitate to seek medical treatment.
You should call the police immediately after being hit by a vehicle.
It is important for law enforcement officers to know what happened in order to create an official report and make sure that everyone involved is safe and accounted for. You should also contact your insurance company right away so that they can begin investigating the incident as well as providing assistance with filing claims against whoever was responsible for hitting you while walking in the pedestrian streets.
Pedestrian accidents can be prevented.
When it comes to preventing pedestrian accidents, there are many things that drivers can do before they hit the road. For example, paying attention while driving is crucial because it enables drivers to spot pedestrians who may enter the street without warning and take appropriate action before hitting them with their vehicles. Additionally, making sure that your windshield isn’t dirty will enable you to see pedestrians more clearly and avoid hitting them with your vehicle.
However, if you have been involved in a pedestrian accident due to someone else’s negligence then you should contact an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer immediately.
Hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer is a must.
There are certain things that you need to know about pedestrian accidents, especially if you have been involved in one. The most important thing is that you should hire a pedestrian accident lawyer.
There are many reasons why you should hire a pedestrian accident lawyer. First of all, these lawyers have the knowledge and experience in handling such cases. They know how to handle such cases and what to do in order to get the best results from them. Moreover, they will be able to help you with all aspects of your case including filing paperwork and dealing with insurance companies.
Another reason why it is important for you to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer is that they can give you guidance on how much compensation for medical bills and other expenses can be claimed from insurance companies. They will be able to tell you how much compensation amount that can be claimed from insurance companies based on your injuries or losses suffered during the accident. This way, if your claim is rejected by insurance companies then they will help fight against them legally so that they will pay up everything that they owe you according to law.
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-Story From Brett Sachs-
Brett Sachs, partner & principal attorney at MVP Accident Attorneys, graduated from Michigan State University College of Law with Cum Laude Honors and worked for an insurance defense firm before starting his practice. Brett has evaluated thousands of personal injury cases and has helped his clients receive the justice they deserve.
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