Many different factors can cause pedestrian accidents, but just a few of them create the lion’s share of these collisions. Since the pedestrian often suffers devastating injuries due to the lack of physical protection shielding from harm, unlike people who are inside of vehicles, it can be useful for walkers to know these risk factors.

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents

Here are three of the top causes of pedestrian accidents:

Inadequate Lighting. Dark streets and sidewalks make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians. It is hard to avoid hitting something that you cannot see. When a walker is crossing the street or having to walk in the street because there is no sidewalk, poorly lit streets make pedestrians vulnerable to cars hitting them.

Dimly lit or unlit sidewalks and roads can cause a walker to stumble on obstructions or uneven pavement. The walker can fall into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

At dawn or dusk or during inclement weather, if a car does not have its lights on, a pedestrian might step out in front of the car. Hybrid and electric vehicles make very little noise as they operate, so if a walker cannot see or hear a car, it would be easy to get hit when crossing the street.

Distractions. When a driver does not pay sufficient attention while going down the street, he might not notice a pedestrian walking alongside or crossing the street. Distracted driving causes a multitude of accidents, with cell phones and in-vehicle infotainment systems offering such attractive distractions. The mere act of adjusting the volume on the car stereo or turning to talk to a passenger can divert a driver’s attention enough to strike someone who is on foot.

Drivers are not the only ones who can get wrapped up in other things that draw their focus away from the task at hand. Look at any busy sidewalk or intersection, and you will see many pedestrians looking at their cell phones instead of where they are walking. People can be so wrapped up in their conversations, reading text messages, or taking photos that they are oblivious to the fact that they walked into an intersection.

Impaired drivers and pedestrians. Being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents. Both drivers and walkers engage in this conduct. When an intoxicated person is walking, her reaction times are slower, she is less attentive to her surroundings, and she is more likely to stumble or step out into the street.

Drunk and drugged drivers are less likely to notice and avoid hitting pedestrians than sober drivers. Although many people do not think about prescription and over-the-counter drugs as affecting one’s ability to operate a vehicle safely, these medications can impair a driver as much as “street” drugs.

How to Get Help with Your Pedestrian Accident Injury Claim

If you have experienced an injury in a pedestrian accident, you can talk with us at the Montero Law Center for an explanation of your right to compensation. We will evaluate your situation and determine who is responsible for your injuries. Call us today at 954-767-6500, and we will set up your free consultation.