How a Lawyer Can Help You If You Are Injured In a Pedestrian Accident

A pedestrian accident is one of the most serious types of vehicle incidents because moving vehicles pose such a significant threat to people on the street, risking serious injury and death.

More than 6,000 pedestrians die each year in the U.S. in accidents with vehicles, according to U.S. Department of Transportation data. These accidents occur in many ways, including when pedestrians cross highways, at traffic crossings, and while waiting to cross.

The consequences of these accidents in Wisconsin, like other states, can be devastating, resulting in serious injury and death. That likely means you will need the assistance of a Wisconsin personal injury lawyer, Russell Nicolet, tells us. A lawyer who has experience handling pedestrian accident cases may be needed to ensure that victims receive compensation and other payments from the driver responsible for the incident and their insurance company. 

There are a number of reasons that a driver can be found negligent and held accountable for a pedestrian accident. Those reasons that could force the driver to pay damages include evidence that they were not operating the vehicle safely and properly, not following traffic laws, or in some way causing the accident with the pedestrian because they acted negligently.

Regarding pedestrian accidents, children are especially vulnerable because they are not as easily seen by drivers as adults, particularly drivers who may not be fully focused on the road. Russell Nicolet, a Wisconsin personal injury lawyer, tells us this phenomenon is known as “inattentional blindness.”

Children can also act unpredictably in traffic, such as running into the road before looking or focusing on a mobile device while crossing the street. This is why drivers must act responsibly when driving in areas where there are children, such as schools, playgrounds, and bus stops. Drivers have a special obligation to follow the unique traffic rules that typically are in place in these areas.

Here are some of the more typical types of accidents involving pedestrians. 

Distracted Driving

A leading cause of pedestrian accidents is distracted driving, which occurs when drivers are doing something other than paying attention to the road while operating the vehicle, like texting or talking on the phone. These distractions can make it difficult for a driver to respond defensively to avoid an accident when a pedestrian enters the roadway. 

Left Hand Turns

Drivers at times also are not focused properly when making a left-hand turn, when a pedestrian may be in the roadway walking from the left side. While watching for oncoming traffic coming from the right, drivers can miss pedestrians who may be walking from the left.

Speeding

Drivers traveling faster than the speed limit, run the risk of not being able to stop in enough time to avoid a collision with a pedestrian. In areas with a significant amount of pedestrian traffic, special traffic rules typically are in place to protect them. These areas include residential areas and retail centers, where drivers must follow slower speed limits set to protect pedestrians. 

Driving Impaired

Drivers who operate their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are another leading cause of pedestrian accidents. These drivers have more difficulty driving defensively, responding quickly to adverse traffic conditions, and are less focused on the roadway. They are more likely to not see in time when a pedestrian enters a crosswalk. They also are more likely to be traveling at a higher rate of speed, unaware of their surroundings, and unable to respond quickly enough to avoid an accident with a pedestrian. .