Understanding Common Risk Factors for Pedestrian Accidents in Illinois

 Posted on June 25, 2021 in Car Accidents

At some point throughout the day, we are all considered pedestrians. We are all at risk of being injured in a motor vehicle accident as a pedestrian, which happens more often than you may think. According to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 79,000 motor vehicle accidents that occurred involving a pedestrian in 2019. When a pedestrian is involved in an accident with a vehicle, the results can be devastating and can inflict damage and trauma onto the pedestrian because of the sheer size and weight comparison. If you have been in a traffic accident as a pedestrian, you should get in touch with an Illinois pedestrian accident attorney to discuss your options for compensation.

Risk Factors for Accidents Involving Pedestrians

When you are walking, running, jogging, hiking, sitting on a bench, or stretching out in the grass, you are a pedestrian. According to the NHTSA, pedestrian fatalities decreased between 2018 and 2019, but only slightly with a small 2.7 percent decrease. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, recovering compensation may be possible if you can determine who is at fault for the accident. Some of the most common causes of accidents involving pedestrians include:

• Distracted drivers and/or pedestrians: A big cause of pedestrian accidents are distractions for both drivers and the pedestrian themselves. In today’s world of technology, there are more distractions that can pop up than ever before. Cell phones and other devices can take a driver’s attention from the road, putting pedestrians in harm’s way.
• Speeding: Another reason why pedestrian accidents may occur is because of speeding drivers. If a driver is speeding, they may not see a pedestrian in time, or they may not calculate enough time to allow them to stop before the pedestrian is hit.
• Alcohol use: Like distractions, alcohol use can be on the part of either the pedestrian or the driver. While it is not technically illegal for a person to have alcohol in their system in public, it does raise the risk of an accident happening and lessens your ability to react if it does. However, drivers who are intoxicated can face criminal charges, as well as any civil penalties for an accident.

Our Illinois Pedestrian Accident Injury Lawyers Are Here to Help

Being injured in a car accident can leave you with devastating injuries and major financial losses. If you have been injured as a pedestrian, you should speak with our skilled Orland Park, IL pedestrian accident injury attorney to determine whether or not you should pursue compensation for your injuries. Issa Law, LLC, has helped numerous clients obtain much-needed compensation from many different types of vehicle accidents, including those involving pedestrians. To schedule a free consultation, call our office today at 708-966-2408.

Sources:

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813060

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813124

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812850