The number of people struck and either severely injured or killed while using pedestrian crosswalks has continued to rise. In fact, statistics show that:
- 13 percent of all traffic fatalities in the United States are pedestrian death.
- 73 percent of pedestrian accidents occurred in urban areas.
- Almost all of the pedestrian accidents occurred in good weather.
- More than half of the accidents happened at night.
- A pedestrian is killed by a vehicle every 100 minutes on average in the United States.
PEDESTRIAN INJURY AND DEATH
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminded pedestrians of all ages to walk with care, using crosswalks where possible – and urged drivers to be on the lookout for pedestrians at all times. A new NHTSA report showed pedestrian fatalities across the nation rose by 4 percent in 2010.
The Causes
What causes these crosswalk accidents? There are quite a few reasons why this may happen.
- Negligent Drivers
- Red Light Running
- Drivers Who Do Not See Crosswalks
- Pedestrians Not Using Crosswalk Signals
- Drivers Turning and Not Aware of Pedestrians
- Driving While Intoxicated
- Drivers Distracted with Cell Phones
Often, drivers just do not pay enough attention when passing through intersections. They may forget that pedestrians may be present or they are too distracted to notice. As a result, thousands of pedestrians are struck every year. These accidents are often fatal or they result in severe injuries.
The Losses
The financial loss that can occur due to crosswalk accidents can be staggering. Just consider it.
- Medical Expenses
- Loss of Wages
- Rehabilitation Expenses
- Disability
- Death Expenses
- Family Financial Loss
It can add up very quickly, and if you have been the victim of a crosswalk accident, you could end up owing hundreds of thousands of dollars. You may not even be able to work in the future. It becomes a massive burden, and since someone was responsible for your injuries, they should be held liable.
GET THE COMPENSATION YOU DESERVE
Obviously, it will take a deep knowledge of the legal system to get the possible compensation and punitive damages you deserve. The other party will do everything possible to place blame on you or someone else so that they do not have to pay. Without an experienced attorney, you could be left in litigation for years and you may not recover any compensation whatsoever.
While pedestrians do need to be responsible enough to use crosswalks correctly, drivers of motor vehicles must be held accountable when their negligence leads to accidents, injuries, and fatalities. It is the responsibility of the motorist to always be aware of pedestrians on the road, and it is their responsibility to avoid hitting a pedestrian. However, motor vehicle operators may not always do this.
PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS YOU CAN TRUST
Whether you have been the victim of a crosswalk accident or your loved one has been, you may be deserving of compensation. To ensure the best results from your case, you need to be careful and choose the right attorney.
Don’t spend time with just any lawyer that you find. You need an attorney who is very experienced with highway and traffic law. You also need legal representation from someone who is aggressive enough to fight for your rights from the beginning to the end of your case. You need an attorney who will work for you.
Call 888.707.1294 to speak with a personal injury lawyer today
