Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents cause thousands of injuries and deaths every year in the United States. According to the NHTSA in a 2014 report, pedestrians account for 14 percent of all road fatalities. Knowing the common causes of pedestrian accidents can help to reduce your risk of being injured in a pedestrian accident.
If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident, contact a personal injury attorney today. The injury lawyer can help you fight for justice and recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
A report by Cross, Fischer, Hunter, Stutts, 1995 identified common causes of pedestrian accidents, particularly among youth pedestrians. They noted that distraction on the part of all road users including motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists is an “underlying cause or influencing factor” in most of the pedestrian car accidents that occur.
Pedestrian darts out into roadway mid-block: When a pedestrian steps out into a roadway in the middle of a block – not in a crosswalk or at an intersection – and is hit by a motor vehicle.
Pedestrian safety tips:
- If possible, always cross at a pedestrian crosswalk using crossing signals.
- If you must cross mid-block, wait at each edge to ensure traffic is clear from both directions.
- Never dart out onto a roadway to go after a ball or any other object that has bounced/rolled into the road.
Motorist safety tips:
- Follow the speed limit.
- Stay focused on the road and your surroundings; particularly in school zones, shopping centers and residential areas. Watch for the behavior of pedestrians walking or standing on the side of the road.
Motorvehicle makes a right or left turn at an intersection, driveway or alley without yielding: When a vehicle turns or merges into the path of a pedestrian without yielding and strikes the pedestrian.
Pedestrian safety tips:
- Be alert and check for incoming vehicles before crossing an intersection, driveway or alley.
- If possible, use a crosswalk instead of crossing in an unmarked area.
- Do not cross in front of a vehicle until you have made eye contact or the driver signals for you to cross.
Motorist safety tips:
- Before turning look carefully for other vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
- Always come to a full stop and scan for traffic/pedestrians before turning right at a red light.
Pedestrian walking or jogging in the same direction as traffic: When a pedestrian walking or jogging in roadway in the same direction as traffic does not realize that a vehicle is approaching behind them and is struck by the driver.
Pedestrian safety tips:
- Always walk or run facing traffic.
- Run on sidewalks or paths. If no sidewalk is available stay on the shoulder/as far away from traffic as possible.
- Wear bright colors during the day and reflective gear and lights at night.
Motorist safety tips:
- On streets that lack sidewalks, watch for people walking or running in the road.
- Be extra alert for pedestrians at night.
Backing vehicle: When a backing vehicle fails to see a pedestrian walking behind their vehicle and strikes them/a pedestrian walks behind a moving vehicle and is struck.
Pedestrian safety tips:
- Be on the lookout for cars who appear parked but are idling or whose backing lights are lit.
- Make sure the driver sees you before walking behind an idling vehicle.
- Walk in the middle of rows of cars in parking lots.
Motorist safety tips:
- Do a 360 degree check and use your side mirrors before backing up.
- Back up cautiously in case a pedestrian or other vehicle approaches unexpectedly.
Multiple cars at a crosswalk: When a car stops for a pedestrian at a crosswalk but a second car drives up, doesn’t see the pedestrian crossing and strikes them.
Pedestrian safety tips:
- Yield to each lane of traffic/make eye contact with each driver before crossing in front of their vehicle.
Motorist safety tips:
- Slow down and plan to stop when you see a car stopped in the lane next to you. They may see something that you can’t.
Pedestrian crossing after “don’t walk” signal is ignited: when a pedestrian walks against a crosswalk signal or the signal changes while pedestrian is in the crosswalk and is struck by a motor vehicle.
Pedestrian safety tips:
- Only enter a crosswalk when the “walk” signal is lit.
- Do not enter a crosswalk if the signal is about the change to “don’t walk” (many signals have countdown clocks). Stop and wait for the “walk” signal to come back before crossing.
- If you are in the intersection when the signal changes finish crossing as quickly as possible.
Motorist safety tips:
- Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Be alert for pedestrians crossing even when it is your right of way.
Commercial bus: When a pedestrian is struck by an oncoming vehicle after exiting a commercial bus.
Pedestrian safety tips:
- Avoid crossing in front of a bus by waiting for the bus to leave or walking to a crosswalk at the corner instead.
- Do not cross until you have made eye contact with the bus driver.
- Stop at the corner of the school bus and look to make sure that there are no oncoming vehicles.
Motorist safety tips:
- Slow down and be alert for pedestrians crossing in front of stopped commercial buses.
School Bus: When a driver ignores the school bus-stop arm/a pedestrian fails to look for oncoming traffic when exiting or walking around a bus and is struck by a motor vehicle.
Pedestrian safety tips:
- Always cross in front of a school bus.
- Do not cross until you have made eye contact with the bus driver.
- Stop at the corner of the school bus and look to make sure that there are no oncoming vehicles.
Motorist safety tips:
- Follow reduced speed limits by schools, especially when children are being dropped off and picked up by school buses.
- Never pass a school bus when the bus has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended.
Seek the Help of a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one is dealing with an accident or injury through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring pedestrian accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
