What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?

Posted By The Law Offices of Eugene G. Bruno, P.C. Posted in: Pedestrian Safety.

California is a big state. There are many treasures to behold, but the one sore spot that’s getting worse is pedestrian accidents. Too many times we see the same story, a pedestrian struck, a pedestrian killed, or a pedestrian seriously injured. When is it enough? Our San Diego pedestrian accident attorneys at Law Offices of Eugene G. Bruno have front row seats to the suffering and pain people go through after getting hit by a car. No one should feel unsafe walking on sidewalks or through crosswalks. Walkers should not have to worry about whether a car will make a sudden turn or not slow down when approaching a crosswalk.

Kinds of Pedestrian Accidents

Vehicles and pedestrians use the roadway side by side, yet we still haven’t figured out how to coincide safely. In the first six months of 2017, California had the lead in pedestrian fatalities at 352. California is one of five states to lead 43% of all pedestrian accidents. California’s pedestrian accident problem is not decreasing. More people are getting hurt. Recent studies show that even though most pedestrian accidents are caused by an error in pedestrians, vehicles like cars and bicycles are still the main culprit. Here is how most accidents happen:

• Unmarked Crosswalks: Intersections can be deadly. Vehicles should yield to pedestrians using unmarked or marked crosswalks. Unfortunately, not all vehicles follow this rule. For example, at 6:30 pm on a Friday San Diego police responded to a call that a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. The victim was a woman in her late 30s. When the police arrive she was unconscious. She was rushed to the hospital with severe to fatal injuries. Thankfully the person who struck her stayed on scene.
• Left Turns: Cars turning left are typically not looking around for pedestrians walking toward them on their right because they are bust looking at traffic in the intersection. Pedestrians are busy looking forward and not whether a car is coming toward them. Logistically, each person is looking in another direction which is why pedestrians are likely to get struck while cars are turning left. Turning left is also the main reason for motorcycle accidents too.
• Texting and driving: Distracted driving, particularly in city streets, is a real concern for pedestrians. If a driver isn’t making eye contact with a pedestrian then they don’t see them. Distracted driving and walking can be dangerous. Using cell phones while walking can be detrimental to your safety.
• Quiet Cars: Riding in a quiet car feels luxurious, but battery-operated vehicles and hybrids are 40% more likely to hit pedestrians. If people can’t hear your car as well as being unable to see then the likelihood of a collision is greater.

At the end of the day, walking is more of a hazard in California than a convenience. Yet, some people just don’t have a choice but to walk. You should feel safe choosing that option. If you or someone you love is suffering from a pedestrian accident, call 619-577-4077 or click here to start a conversation with our professional attorneys at the Law Offices of Eugene G. Bruno in San Diego today.