Pedestrian accidents happen for a variety of reasonsSome accidents are the result of failure to obey traffic laws, others are the result of a faulty sidewalk or bothSome may even be caused by poor maintenance of the sidewalk, such as cracks or holesNo matter what the cause, pedestrians are often the victims of serious injuries or fatalitiesWhether the accident is caused by a driver’s negligence or a pedestrian’s carelessness, it is important to consult with an experienced pedestrian personal injury attorney to determine the appropriate course of actionVisit https://dozierlaw.com/attorneys/personal-injury-attorneys-atlanta.

Statistics show that pedestrian accident fatalities are higher among males than femalesIn 2011, 70.6 percent of pedestrian fatalities were malesThe number of injuries per 100,000 population was also higher in malesMale pedestrian injuries are also higher among those aged sixteen and twenty compared to femalesChildren, elderly people, and pedestrians who cross busy streets are at the greatest riskInjuries occur most frequently in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

The majority of pedestrian accidents occur in urban areasThis is because pedestrians share the road with motorists, which requires them to be extremely alert and vigilantEven a slight distraction or error in judgment can cause a pedestrian accidentMoreover, seventy-four percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in sections of roads with no intersectionsIn fact, 71 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur in the eveningIn winter, pedestrian accidents usually occur during the night.

Speeding is another common cause of pedestrian accidentsEven though pedestrians have the right of way, cars are dangerous when they hit the gasIn addition, pedestrians are vulnerable to slippery conditions, such as rainwater that can hydroplane into crosswalks or ice that can cause cars to jump the curbThe driver may also be distracted, resulting in a collisionA pedestrian accident is the result of a negligent driver’s poor judgment.

Distracted drivers are another common cause of pedestrian accidentsDrivers are less attentive to pedestrians when they’re on the phone, and they may not even see the pedestrianAs a result, the driver may be unaware of the pedestrian in the crosswalkIf distracted, the pedestrian could be in danger of an accident, and their life could endPedestrian accidents are no laughing matterThankfully, pedestrian safety laws are being enacted to protect pedestrians and other road users.

Another common cause of pedestrian accidents is unsafe intersectionsMany intersections lack sidewalks and are not designed to accommodate pedestriansThis forces pedestrians to cross the roadway or move to the sidewalk, where they are more vulnerableIn addition, many pedestrians walk-in areas not intended for pedestrians, such as highways, busy streets with narrow shoulders, and streets without sidewalksDrivers must maneuver their vehicles in such a way to keep pedestrians safe.

In addition to not crossing roads in unmarked crosswalks, drivers need to pay close attention to pedestriansPedestrians should avoid jaywalking and darting out in the middle of the streetThey should also obey all traffic rules and walk as far away from the road as possibleBy following these guidelines, pedestrians can greatly reduce the chances of being involved in a fatal or serious accidentBut even without pedestrians’ safety, the possibility of a pedestrian accident is always present.