Pedestrian accidents are among the most severe types of accidents one could find themself in. The average pedestrian accident victim is at risk of sustaining catastrophic injuries, like

  • Spinal cord injury
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Fractures
  • Internal organ injury

If you ever find yourself in this situation, you should hire experienced pedestrian accident lawyers. These legal professionals can help you file a compensation claim and guide you through the process.

Common causes of pedestrian accidents

Pedestrian accidents occur for several reasons. Sometimes, there may be some level of lawbreaking involved that leads to the accident, like jaywalking.

Here are the most common reasons for pedestrian accidents: 

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Jaywalking
  • Right-of-way errors
  • Lack of visibility
  • Drunk drivers or pedestrians

Reasons Pedestrian Accidents Have Devastating Consequences

Pedestrian accidents tend to be more devastating than other types of accidents, mainly because pedestrians are unprotected. However, there are other factors that add to the severity of these accidents. Here are a few of them:

Pedestrians are unprotected

The factor that has the most impact on pedestrian accidents is how unprotected they are. If you get into an accident while you’re in an SUV or a truck, you may escape unscathed. At the very least, the body of the vehicle, in addition to airbags and seatbelts, offers some measure of protection against the impact.

However, pedestrians don’t have this benefit. They are completely unprotected and at the mercy of the objects that come into contact with them.

Low visibility

Pedestrians sometimes have low visibility, especially at night. It can be difficult for drivers to see them if they’re in a dark or poorly lit area.

It may also be difficult to spot pedestrians if their clothes are dark and difficult to distinguish from the surroundings.

As a result of this, drivers may not notice pedestrians crossing the road, or at intersections, resulting in accidents.

High-speed crashes

How fast the vehicle is going also has a huge impact on the outcome of the accident.

Picture this: a vehicle cruising along fails to notice someone crossing the street. This may result in the person being knocked over at worst, because the driver isn’t going fast enough to cause a lot of damage.

However, in the same scenario, if the driver is going 100 miles/hour, this will cause the pedestrian to go flying and will most likely kill them. Therefore, the speed of the vehicle makes a huge difference in pedestrian car accidents.

Tips to prevent pedestrian accidents

Here are a few tips that both drivers and pedestrians can follow to prevent accidents:

  • Drive under the speed limit
  • Only cross the road at crosswalks or designated areas
  • Pay attention to your surroundings
  • Wear visible clothing at night and stick to designated pedestrian areas

Conclusion

Pedestrian accidents can be devastating, as there is very little to protect pedestrians if they get hit by a vehicle. This can lead to severe injuries and lifelong trauma that can change the course of a person’s life.

It is imperative, therefore, to be alert while you’re on the street. This can reduce the number of accidents and save lives.