What Are the Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

How Does Distracted Driving Contribute to Pedestrian Crashes?

Distracted driving is one of the common causes of pedestrian accidents. A driver who is engaging in an activity that takes their eyes off the road, one hand or both hands off the steering wheel, and their mind away from the task of driving may not notice a pedestrian stepping into a crosswalk.

For example, a driver who is texting, reaching for items on the floor, having a conversation with passengers, looking at a navigation screen, or daydreaming.

Moreover, when preparing to turn right, a driver who heavily focuses on looking left for oncoming vehicle traffic or is distracted and moves while only looking left can completely miss pedestrians crossing from the right side.

Can Speeding Cause More Serious Pedestrian Injuries?

Driving over the posted speed limit or driving faster than is reasonable for the existing road, weather, and traffic conditions can cause more serious pedestrian accidents. Speeding reduces driver reaction time, extends stopping distances, and increases the force of impact.

A driver who is speeding may have less time to spot a person crossing the road. And even if they notice the pedestrian, they may not have time to respond safely. After applying the brakes, the car may require significantly more distance to completely stop. By this time, they may have crashed into the pedestrian. Given the speed they were traveling, a massive amount of force can be transferred to the pedestrian upon impact, resulting in serious injuries.

How Does Failure To Yield Lead to Pedestrian Accidents?

 In Colorado, pedestrians have the right-of-way in all marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. A driver must slow down or stop and yield to a pedestrian on the driver’s half of the road or close enough from the opposite side to be in danger. Additionally, a driver turning at an intersection must look out for and yield to pedestrians lawfully in the crosswalk.

Sadly, cases of drivers failing to yield to pedestrians are not uncommon. This mostly happens when a driver ignores the right of way, is distracted, illegally passes a vehicle that has already stopped at a crosswalk, and only scans for vehicles, failing to notice pedestrians.

How Do Impaired Drivers Cause Pedestrian Accidents?

Impaired drivers are a risk to pedestrians. A driver under the influence of alcohol or other drugs has slowed reaction times, poor judgment, and poor physical coordination. Thus, they may not notice a pedestrian in a crosswalk, may incorrectly judge distances, ignore traffic lights and crosswalk signals, or drift onto a sidewalk.

Can Poor Visibility or Weather Conditions Contribute to Pedestrian Crashes?

Many pedestrian accidents occur between dusk and dawn and in low-light environments. With poor visibility, drivers may not notice pedestrians entering crosswalks.

Pedestrian accidents are also frequently reported during adverse weather conditions. Snowstorms, heavy fog, and icy windshields reduce a driver’s visibility. Further, the accumulation of snow and ice on the road makes the surface slippery, increasing vehicle stopping distance. Additionally, seasonal sun glare can blind both drivers and pedestrians.

Poor visibility and harsh weather conditions endanger pedestrians, especially when a driver fails to adapt their driving to the environment.

Are Children More Vulnerable to Pedestrian Accidents?

According to the CDOT, young children and the elderly are more likely to be killed or injured in a pedestrian crash than any other group. Children are vulnerable to pedestrian accidents due to factors like their small physical size, developmental limits, and lack of traffic judgment.

Since children are small, a driver, especially a distracted or impaired driver, may fail to spot them over hoods or around blind spots. Also, most children under ten years old can’t properly gauge vehicle speed or distance, and some engage in impulsive behavior, such as darting into the streets without checking for traffic.

Drivers are required to be extra careful where children might be present, such as in residential and school zones. For instance, drivers in Colorado must slow down to posted school zone limits when flashing yellow lights are active or during designated school hours.

A negligent driver can seriously injure a child pedestrian. If your child was injured in such an incident, learn more about your options to protect their rights.

Who May Be Responsible for a Pedestrian Accident?

Any party that acts negligently, causing a pedestrian accident, can be held responsible. This can be:

• A driver who fails to yield to a pedestrian, is distracted, speeds, or impaired.
• A pedestrian who ignores the “Don’t Walk” signal, jaywalks, or crosses while intoxicated.
• A third party, such as an employer of a truck driver who is poorly trained/drives while fatigued, a vehicle manufacturer if a mechanical failure contributes to the accident, or a government entity if poor road design/missing traffic signs causes the accident.

What Should You Do After Being Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?

If you are injured as a pedestrian:

• Move out of the way of traffic if you can do so safely.
• Call 911 to report the accident and request emergency medical responders.
• Exchange information with the driver.
• Collect the names and contact information of witnesses.
• Document the scene.
• Get a medical evaluation immediately after leaving the scene.

When Should You Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

It’s highly recommended to contact a pedestrian accident lawyer immediately after seeking medical care. This ensures you gather and preserve evidence before it disappears and protects you from costly mistakes, such as giving the driver’s insurance company a recorded statement.

How Can Bachus & Schanker Help After a Pedestrian Accident?

At Bachus & Schanker, we help victims injured in a pedestrian accident investigate the crash, gather and preserve solid evidence, handle insurance companies, calculate the true value of their claim, and negotiate a fair settlement. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we take cases to trial to fight for justice in court.

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