Pedestrian accidents frequently happen in both urban and residential areas, often leading to severe injuries or fatalities. These incidents can occur anywhere pedestrians and vehicles meet, such as crosswalks, intersections, and parking lots. Common causes of pedestrian accidents include distracted driving, speeding, and not yielding the right of way.
If you or a family member has been hurt in a pedestrian accident, you need experienced legal help to handle your case. At the Law Office of Shane McClelland, we are dedicated to protecting your rights and making sure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at 713-597-4836 for a free consultation and let us help you move forward.
Crosswalk Accidents
Crosswalks are designed to be safe for pedestrians, but they often become dangerous places for accidents. Drivers who ignore traffic signals and fail to stop for pedestrians create risky situations at crosswalks. These careless actions can lead to serious injuries and even deaths among pedestrians. When a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, drivers must stop and let them pass safely. However, this rule is often ignored, leading to tragic outcomes.
Injuries from crosswalk accidents can be life-changing. From broken bones to traumatic brain injuries, the effects on a pedestrian’s life can be severe. Drivers need to be careful, and pedestrians should stay alert to reduce the risks at crosswalks.
Drivers Ignoring Signals
A common reason for crosswalk accidents is drivers ignoring traffic signals. Whether they are rushing through intersections or not noticing the signals, these actions can have serious consequences. Distracted driving, especially from using smartphones, greatly reduces a driver’s ability to see pedestrians. A driver can be distracted for several seconds without realizing it, posing a big risk to pedestrian safety.
Changing traffic signals to give pedestrians more time to cross can help improve safety. However, it’s mainly up to drivers to pay attention and follow traffic laws. Ignoring signals not only puts pedestrians in danger but also violates their right to cross safely.
Failure to Yield
Not yielding is another major cause of crosswalk accidents. Drivers must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks to keep them safe. However, impatience and lack of attention often lead drivers to ignore this rule, putting pedestrians in danger. Failing to yield is especially risky at busy intersections and multi-lane crossings, where stopped vehicles can block the view of other drivers, increasing the chance of accidents.
The physical layout can also contribute to these accidents. Areas that don’t clearly separate pedestrian and vehicle traffic can encourage unsafe behavior.
Intersection Incidents
Intersections are common places for pedestrian accidents because of careless driving and poor traffic control. These accidents often happen when drivers run stop signs or red lights, ignore traffic signals, or don’t see traffic signs. When drivers don’t stop at red lights or don’t yield when turning, pedestrians are at risk.
The danger at intersections increases with turning cars and busy traffic. Pedestrians crossing the street might not be seen by drivers, especially if the drivers are distracted or speeding.
Turning Vehicles
Cars making turns at intersections can be very dangerous for pedestrians. Drivers often don’t check crosswalks carefully when turning right or left, putting pedestrians in harm’s way. Multiple lanes can make this even riskier, as drivers might not check all lanes for people crossing. Right turns on red lights are particularly risky since drivers often focus on other cars and forget to look for pedestrians.
Oncoming Traffic
Pedestrians are at high risk of being hit by cars going straight through intersections, especially when traffic is heavy. Distracted driving makes this risk worse, as drivers might not see pedestrians trying to cross. Speeding cars are also dangerous because they have less time to stop and avoid hitting people.
Both drivers and pedestrians need to be more aware of the dangers of busy traffic to reduce accidents and improve safety. Drivers should pay attention and follow speed limits, while pedestrians should use marked crosswalks and follow crossing signals.
Parking Lot Accidents
Parking lots might seem safer than busy streets, but they are frequent sites for pedestrian accidents. The constant movement of vehicles, along with limited visibility, creates a dangerous environment for people walking. Many pedestrian injuries in parking lots happen when cars are backing up.
Reversing Vehicles
Backing up is a major cause of accidents in parking lots. When drivers don’t check for people walking behind them, accidents are likely to happen. In these cases, the driver is usually responsible.
To prevent these accidents, drivers should always look around before reversing and use their mirrors and backup cameras properly. Pedestrians should also stay alert and aware of their surroundings, especially in busy parking lots.
Limited Visibility
Poor visibility in parking lots is a big risk for pedestrian accidents. The main reason for accidents when cars are backing up is low visibility. Large vehicles, bad lighting, and the way parking spaces are laid out can all make it hard to see.
Improving visibility in parking lots is key to keeping pedestrians safe. This can be done with better lighting, clear signs, and using technology like backup cameras and sensors.
Midblock Crossings
Midblock crossings occur when pedestrians cross streets outside of marked crosswalks, and they are a common spot for pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians might be hit while interacting with roadside items or vehicles, like mailboxes or ice cream trucks.
These accidents show the dangers of jaywalking and the “multiple threat” scenario. Drivers who speed or are not paying attention can be held responsible if they don’t take proper care.
Jaywalking
Jaywalking is often a major cause of pedestrian injuries and deaths. Common actions leading to jaywalking accidents include suddenly crossing the street without looking or being distracted. Poor visibility, especially at night or during bad weather, increases the risk. Even when pedestrians cross improperly, drivers must still be careful, emphasizing shared responsibility.
The Multiple Threat Scenario
A multiple-threat accident happens when one vehicle stops for a pedestrian, but another vehicle doesn’t see the pedestrian and keeps going. These accidents often lead to severe injuries and show the need for drivers to be more aware and cautious.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving is a major cause of pedestrian accidents, leading to many injuries and deaths. Common distractions that cause drivers to overlook pedestrians and to be careless include texting, talking on the phone, eating, and adjusting the radio.
Even with crossing guards, accidents can still happen if drivers aren’t paying attention. Overall, distracted driving greatly endangers pedestrian safety and can have serious consequences.
High-Speed Collisions
High-speed collisions are very dangerous for pedestrians. When vehicles travel faster, the chance of severe injuries or deaths in pedestrian accidents goes up. Speeding makes crashes more likely and injuries worse. If a car is going 20 mph, pedestrians have a 90% chance of surviving, but this drops to 35% at 45 mph.
Speeding drivers often don’t see pedestrians in time. The risk of fatalities increases with higher speeds, and deadly accidents can happen at speeds as low as 8 mph.
Urban Areas
Most pedestrian injuries and deaths happen in cities. Urban areas are especially risky because of heavy foot traffic and fast-moving vehicles. Busy streets require both drivers and pedestrians to be extra careful since most pedestrian accidents occur there.
Cities need specific safety measures like lower speed limits, better crosswalks, and stricter traffic law enforcement to keep pedestrians safe. Public awareness can also help reduce accidents in these high-risk places.
Residential Zones
Residential areas are quieter than cities but still have high-speed collision risks. Speed limits are often lower in neighborhoods to protect pedestrians, especially children, who are at higher risk from speeding cars. Making sure drivers follow speed limits and stay alert can greatly reduce dangers in residential areas.
Pedestrians Walking Along Roadways
Pedestrians walking along roadways face serious dangers, especially in areas without sidewalks. Without sidewalks, pedestrians have to walk close to moving traffic, which increases the chance of accidents. Poor lighting makes these situations even riskier, as drivers may find it hard to see pedestrians.
To keep pedestrians safe, it’s important to improve infrastructure by adding sidewalks and better lighting. Both drivers and pedestrians should stay alert and be cautious to avoid accidents.
Lack of Sidewalks
When there are no sidewalks, pedestrians are forced to walk on the road, which greatly increases the risk of accidents. Pedestrians should walk on the right side of the road and stay alert to avoid danger.
Drivers also need to be extra careful in areas without sidewalks to prevent hitting pedestrians.
Poor Lighting
More than half of all pedestrian deaths happen on poorly lit roads. Inadequate lighting can lead to more pedestrian accidents because drivers can’t see clearly. Pedestrians wearing dark clothes at night are harder for drivers to notice, increasing the chance of accidents.
Improving street lighting and encouraging pedestrians to wear reflective clothing can help reduce these risks.
School Zone Accidents
School zones have special risks because many children cross streets during school hours. Drivers may break traffic laws by not following reduced speed limits, which increases the chance of accidents. Speed limits in school zones are usually lower to keep pedestrians safe, but careless drivers can still cause accidents.
Children are especially at risk near school bus stops because drivers might not see them easily. Backing vehicles often lead to accidents involving children, and older adults can also be victims.
School Bus Stops
When vehicles don’t stop for bus signals, accidents can happen when children or parents cross the street to get on or off a school bus. Drivers need to be very careful and follow school bus signals to avoid these tragic accidents.
Crossing Guards
Driver impatience at stop signs is the main reason for accidents involving children, even with crossing guards present. Some drivers ignore crossing guards, creating dangerous situations for pedestrians, especially children.
Hit and Run Pedestrian Accidents
Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents are especially serious, with about 25% of pedestrian accidents involving a driver who leaves the scene. Depending on how severe the accident is, drivers who flee can face serious charges. Victims often need help from bystanders, and not getting immediate medical attention can lead to worse injuries.
If you’re involved in a hit-and-run, it’s important to call the police, make a report, and write down all the details. Getting legal help can protect your rights and help you seek compensation.
Immediate Actions
Right after a pedestrian accident, report it to the police, make a report, and document everything. Then contact a local pedestrian accident attorney and do not post anything to social media. It’s important to take care of yourself and make sure those responsible are held accountable, especially if you suffer serious injuries and need help from others.
Legal Recourse
Victims of hit-and-run accidents can seek compensation through uninsured motorist coverage if the driver isn’t found. If the responsible driver doesn’t have enough insurance, victims can file a lawsuit to recover costs.
In a pedestrian accident lawsuit, special damages cover things like medical bills and lost income. Getting legal help is important to protect your rights and help you get compensation.
How Law Office of Shane McClelland Can Help You
At the Law Office of Shane McClelland, we represent pedestrians who have been hurt due to someone else’s carelessness. We know how pedestrian accident cases work and are committed to giving you personalized and strategic legal help. With over 20 years of experience, we work hard to help you get fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs.
When you choose us as your pedestrian accident attorney, you benefit from our thorough approach to building a strong case. We carefully look into the details of your accident, gather important evidence, and work with experts to prove who is responsible. Our goal is to make sure you get the maximum compensation possible to cover medical treatment, rehabilitation, and any ongoing care you may need due to serious injuries.
We understand the emotional and physical impact a pedestrian accident can have on you and your family. That’s why we offer supportive guidance throughout the legal process, keeping you informed every step of the way. We treat your case with the urgency and attention it deserves, ensuring that your rights are protected.
Our free case evaluations give you a chance to discuss your situation and explore your legal options without any financial obligation. By choosing the Law Office of Shane McClelland, you are partnering with a team dedicated to fighting for justice and the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait to get the help you need—contact us today at 713-597-4836 for a free consultation and take the first step towards securing your future.
