What Are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

Maybe you’re walking back to work from lunch with friends and, while crossing at an intersection, some driver paying attention to their phone blows a red light and hits you full force. The injuries would be devastating and even life-threatening. How do you piece back together your life after such a traumatic experience?

Pedestrian accidents often lead to devastating injuries and significant financial burdens, impacting victims and their families. Understanding the causes, consequences, and liability in these cases is essential for seeking justice and compensation. Negligent driving behaviors, such as speeding or distracted driving, are major contributors.

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian crash, our Las Vegas pedestrian accident lawyer can guide you through the legal process, ensuring your rights are protected. From identifying liable parties to pursuing compensation, having our experienced attorney by your side can make all the difference and help you rebuild your life.

Why Are Pedestrian Accidents so Dangerous?

Pedestrian accidents are usually very severe, with devastating consequences for vulnerable road users. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), approximately 7,318 distracted pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2023. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports even higher figures, with 7,522 pedestrian fatalities in 2022.

The impact of these pedestrian accidents can result in serious injuries like traumatic brain damage, spinal injuries, broken bones, or even fatalities. Children and elderly populations are particularly at risk. The rising trend of pedestrian fatalities highlights the urgent need for comprehensive safety measures, including improved road design, enhanced traffic regulations, and increased public awareness about pedestrian protection.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents often result from preventable behaviors and circumstances affecting drivers and pedestrians alike. Understanding the primary causes of these incidents is crucial to improving safety and reducing the frequency of such accidents. Below are the most common factors contributing to pedestrian crashes and injuries, highlighting the shared responsibility between drivers and pedestrians in ensuring safer roadways.

Distracted Driving

Drivers often fail to notice pedestrians due to distractions like texting, eating, or adjusting in-car systems. These behaviors reduce reaction times and increase the risk of accidents.

Speeding

Excessive speed is a major factor in pedestrian accidents, as it decreases the driver’s ability to react quickly and amplifies the severity of pedestrian injuries in a collision.

Impaired Driving

Alcohol or drug impairment greatly impacts a driver’s judgment and reaction time, significantly increasing the likelihood of pedestrian crashes.

Jaywalking

Pedestrians crossing outside designated crosswalks or ignoring traffic signals create dangerous situations, making it harder for drivers to anticipate their movements. Although drivers have to always pay attention to the road ahead, pedestrians have to be aware of the potential danger.

Distracted Walking

Pedestrians engaged in activities like texting or using electronic devices often fail to assess their surroundings, leading to accidental steps into traffic. As a pedestrian, whenever you approach a road or crosswalk, always stop what you’re doing and look both ways.

Pedestrian Walking While Intoxicated

Intoxicated pedestrians are at heightened risk due to impaired judgment and slower reaction times, making them more vulnerable to accidents.

Environmental Factors

Poor visibility at night, inclement weather, and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure — such as missing sidewalks or crosswalks — are significant contributors to pedestrian accidents.

Drivers Failing to Yield

Many accidents occur when drivers do not yield at crosswalks or improperly navigate intersections, putting pedestrians in harm’s way.

Both drivers and pedestrians must remain vigilant, follow traffic laws, and adopt safe practices to reduce the frequency and severity of pedestrian accidents.

The Cost of a Pedestrian Accident

The financial and emotional toll of a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming for all parties involved. For pedestrians, the injuries sustained are often severe, leading to substantial medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation. The inability to work due to these pedestrian injuries further compounds the financial strain, resulting in lost wages and reduced earning capacity.

Drivers involved in pedestrian accidents may also face significant costs, including the possibility of criminal charges filed against them and potential jail time. The ripple effect of a pedestrian accident underscores the devastating impact these incidents have on everyone involved.

How to Reduce Pedestrian Accidents

Preventing pedestrian accidents requires responsibility and vigilance from both pedestrians and drivers. Here are some essential tips to reduce these incidents:

For Pedestrians

• Use crosswalks: Cross at marked or unmarked crosswalks whenever possible, and always follow traffic signals.
• Enhance visibility: Wear reflective or bright clothing, especially at night, to ensure drivers can see you.
• Avoid distractions: Refrain from texting or using electronic devices while walking to maintain situational awareness.
• Plan ahead of drinking: Arrange transportation or avoid walking in roadways if under the influence of alcohol.

For Drivers

• Stay focused: Avoid distractions like texting or adjusting devices while driving, particularly in areas with heavy pedestrian activity.
• Obey speed limits: Drive at safe speeds, especially in urban or residential zones, to react promptly to pedestrians.
• Never drive impaired: Avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as this significantly increases the risk of fatal accidents.
• Yield to pedestrians: Always give the right of way at crosswalks and intersections to ensure pedestrian safety.

By following these simple but crucial steps, pedestrians and drivers can work together to make roadways safer and prevent avoidable accidents.

Who Is Responsible for Your Serious Injuries in a Pedestrian Crash

Determining liability in a pedestrian crash can be complex, as responsibility may fall on the driver, the pedestrian, or even a third party, depending on the circumstances. Drivers are often held accountable for failing to yield, speeding, or driving distracted.

However, pedestrians may share responsibility if they jaywalk, ignore traffic signals, or walk while distracted or intoxicated. Understanding how liability is determined requires a closer look at factors like local traffic laws, the actions of both parties, and evidence from the scene. Exploring the nuances of liability can provide valuable insight into how fault is assigned in these cases.

What to Do If You’ve Been Involved in a Pedestrian Accident

Being involved in a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming, but taking the proper steps immediately afterward is crucial to protecting your health and legal rights. From seeking medical attention to gathering evidence and consulting with our pedestrian accident attorney, each action you take can significantly impact your recovery and the outcome of your case. Here’s what you should do if you find yourself in this situation:

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Your health and safety are the top priority. Call for medical help immediately, even if you feel fine, as pedestrian injuries may not immediately be apparent due to adrenaline.

Call Emergency Services

Contact the police to file an official accident report. This documentation is critical for establishing the details of the incident and will be valuable if you decide to pursue a claim.

Gather Information at the Scene

Collect as much information as possible if it’s safe to do so. Exchange contact and insurance details with the driver, speak with witnesses, and take photos of your injuries, the vehicle involved, and the accident scene.

Follow Up with Medical Professionals

Even if you initially believe your pedestrian injuries are minor, visit a doctor for a full evaluation. Proper documentation of your injuries is crucial for your case and ensuring you receive appropriate treatment.

Consult with Our Attorney Before Dealing with Any Insurance Company

Before contacting your insurance company or engaging with the at-fault party’s insurer, seek advice from our experienced personal injury attorney. They can help you navigate your rights, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure you don’t accept an insufficient settlement.

By following these steps, you can protect your health, gather critical evidence, and position yourself for a successful resolution of your pedestrian accident case.

Receiving Compensation for Your Pedestrian Injuries

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages you’ve suffered. Pedestrian accident claims typically focus on holding the at-fault driver accountable for their negligence and securing financial relief for the victim’s losses. Here’s an overview of the types of compensation you may pursue:

Medical Expenses

Pedestrian accidents often result in severe injuries requiring extensive medical care. Compensation can cover emergency room visits, surgeries, medications, and ongoing physical therapy or rehabilitation treatments. For long-term or permanent injuries, you may also recover estimated costs for future medical care and assistive devices like wheelchairs.

Lost Income and Reduced Earning Capacity

Severe injuries can force victims to take time off work or even permanently affect their ability to earn a living. Compensation may include lost wages, missed benefits, and reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous employment or reduce your work potential.

Pain and Suffering

Victims can also seek compensation for non-economic damages such as physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life. These damages may encompass psychological trauma, permanent disabilities, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment in daily activities.

Property Damage

If personal property, such as a smartphone or bicycle, was damaged in the accident, you may request funds to repair or replace these items.

Pedestrian Wrongful Death Compensation

In cases where a pedestrian accident results in a fatality, surviving family members can pursue wrongful death damages. These may include compensation for loss of companionship, loss of parental guidance, funeral expenses, outstanding medical bills, and loss of financial support or inheritance.

By filing a pedestrian accident claim or lawsuit, you can demand fair compensation for the full range of damages you’ve endured. Consulting with a knowledgeable attorney can help you build a strong case and maximize the compensation you receive.

Taking Action After a Pedestrian Accident: Trusted to Win, Proven to Deliver

Pedestrian accidents frequently cause serious injuries or fatalities, leaving victims with significant financial and emotional burdens. Understanding the causes, knowing your rights, and pursuing compensation for damages are vital steps toward recovery.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, our knowledgeable and skilled Las Vegas pedestrian accident lawyer can help you pursue justice and secure fair compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation to explore your legal options.