Top Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

While walking to work or going for a run, a person traveling by foot in close proximity to the road is considered a pedestrian. Most destinations require some walking, even if a person drives, so It is almost impossible to avoid being a pedestrian at one time or another. Unfortunately, this health and environmentally conscious form of transportation still has the potential for an accident, and like car and truck accidents, there are common causes.

The United States Department of Transportation reported in 2017 that there were 5,977 pedestrians killed in traffic accidents. Every 88 minutes it is estimated that a pedestrian dies as the result of getting hit by a motor vehicle. According to the same data, a pedestrian accident is most likely to happen in an urban area outside of an intersection at night. The highest percentages of accidents happen after the sun goes down, time depending on the season.

One common reason for pedestrian accidents is pedestrians not being visible to drivers. One of the reasons the majority of pedestrian accidents happen at night is because of dark clothing. People on the road, even when walking at a safe distance on the shoulder or crossing at a stop sign, are not quickly visible to drivers when wearing dark and non-reflective clothing. It is recommended that pedestrians wear bright clothing or a reflective vest at night.

Even when taking precautions, a negligent driver can still hit cautions pedestrians. People are more inclined to drink alcohol at night, which can lead to driving while under the influence. Drivers may not have malicious intent by getting behind the wheel after a couple of drinks, but if their BAC is over 0.08% then they are breaking the law. Despite this limit, a person’s coordination and perception can be affected by any amount of alcohol.

Electronics are a distraction problem for both drivers and pedestrians. While walking while texting is not necessarily safe, texting while driving in Illinois is illegal. A person using their phone while driving is not providing full attention to the road, and may not see a pedestrian attempting to cross and not slow down even if there was enough time to cross.

Contact an Orland Park Pedestrian Accident AttorneyAlthough a pedestrian can cause an accident, negligent drivers are what cause the most damage. If you have been involved in an auto accident as a pedestrian, contact an experienced Illinois pedestrian accident attorney today to discuss compensation for your pain and suffering. Set up a free consultation by calling our office at 708-966-2408.

Source:

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812681