On Behalf of Surdez & Perez P.C.
If you regularly walk or jog, you have probably had at least one close encounter with a motor vehicle. While you can take steps to keep yourself safe, you may not avoid a serious accident forever. Even worse, because cars, trucks and SUVs outweigh you by thousands of pounds, you may sustain life-altering injuries in a pedestrian-vehicle collision.
A recent study has some alarming news for pedestrians: The number of pedestrian accidents in the United States is at a 28-year high. Even worse, the mortality rate for walkers is higher than it has been since 1990. While pedestrian accidents occur for a variety of reasons, some causes are more common than others. Here are three of them:
1. Modern distractions
Even though legislators in New York and other places have cracked down on distracted driving, it remains a problem across the country. If a driver is not paying attention to the road, he or she may collide with a pedestrian. When sending text messages, responding to e-mails or making phone calls, pedestrians may inadvertently end up in dangerous situations. Either way, modern distractions are not good for pedestrian safety.
2. Inadequate walkways
Most of New York City is a walker’s paradise, with a nice network of sidewalks, bridges and trails. Unfortunately, though, not every place is safe for pedestrians. If a walker’s route takes him or her through a dangerous area, a catastrophic accident may be imminent.
3. Obstructed views
To boost their odds of avoiding a pedestrian accident, drivers must have a clear view of the areas around their vehicles. Still, weather conditions, traffic congestion, sun glare and other things can obstruct a driver’s vision. If a driver has obstructed views, he or she may not see a pedestrian until it is too late to avoid a collision.
While pedestrian accidents are on the rise, you do not have to leave your personal safety to chance. By understanding why pedestrian accidents tend to occur, you can take steps to prevent one. If you do sustain a serious injury in a collision with a motor vehicle, however, understanding why the accident occurred may be critical for receiving fair compensation for your damages.
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