Taking a walk instead of driving somewhere can come with a lot of benefits, both for you and the environment. But unfortunately, pedestrians are inherently put in a very vulnerable position. Unlike drivers and passengers of cars, pedestrians don’t have an enclosed vehicle or safety features like airbags to protect them.
Pedestrian accidents tend to happen most frequently in urban areas where vehicle traffic levels tend to be high, but pedestrian traffic is also high. So pedestrian accidents are extremely common around the Los Angeles area, particularly near intersections in popular tourist destinations like Hollywood and Highland. It’s estimated that pedestrian accidents are responsible for about 25% of all roadway deaths in California.
A pedestrian accident can occur in many different ways, but these types tend to be some of the most common:
Backup Accidents
Backup accidents happen when a car is backing out of a parking spot or out of a driveway. Even though backup cameras have become standard features on new cars, many people are still driving cars that don’t have them, so a driver might not be paying close enough attention when they back up or they might fail to see a pedestrian walking behind their vehicle.
Turning Vehicle Accidents
Cars making turns can be very dangerous for pedestrians who are trying to cross the street. Whether a driver is making a left-hand or a right-hand turn, drivers are often focused on watching for other vehicles and getting into their intended lane and may overlook a pedestrian who is already in the roadway.
“Multiple Threat” Accidents
In some cases, pedestrians can be at risk if multiple drivers need to stop to let them cross. These types of accidents occur when one driver stops to let a pedestrian cross, but a car in the next lane doesn’t see the pedestrian in the crosswalk because the stopped car is blocking their view.
Distracted Driver Accidents
Drivers have a responsibility to keep their entire focus on the road around them at all times. Just a few seconds of driver distraction, whether it’s to read a text, grab something to eat, or fix their hair, can very easily put pedestrians in serious jeopardy.
Bus-Related Accidents
Pedestrian accidents, particularly ones involving children, often occur when people are attempting to get on or off of a stopped bus. For example, drivers very commonly fail to stop for a school bus when they’re legally required to, which makes it very easy for a child to get hit if they try to cross the street.
“Trapped” Pedestrian Accidents
Sometimes, pedestrians enter a crosswalk when they have a “Walk” signal, but then the signal changes to “Don’t Walk” before they’re able to finish crossing, leaving the pedestrian “trapped” in the crosswalk. When the traffic signals change, a driver may proceed through the intersection, not realizing there is still a pedestrian in the crosswalk.
Regardless of how a pedestrian accident occurs, one of the best things an injured person can do is get in touch with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. Contact The Wallace Firm for help with your case.