Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 70,000 pedestrians get injured, and more than 4,000 pedestrians are killed every year in the United States. Pedestrian accidents happen far too often, especially in California, and are mainly caused by just a few contributing factors.

What is even worse is that those numbers are just a record in the United States and do not include those who are injured or killed in other parts of the world. In Los Angeles County it is important to always remain vigilant while on the road–not only as a pedestrian, but as a driver too. You never know when an ordinary day while driving to work can turn into one’s worst nightmare.

Most accidents are due to negligence on part of a driver. However, there are also times where accidents are caused by pedestrians too. But overall, the most common distractions are due to the fault of the driver. There are several safety precautions and traffic laws that must be observed. Unfortunately, not everyone abides by them.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a pedestrian accident, it is extremely important that you seek help from the best pedestrian accident lawyers Los Angeles has to offer. Not only will they handle every part of your case so that you can destress, but they will also do whatever it takes to get you the full compensation you deserve for the losses you endured from the pedestrian accident.

At Gutierrez Law, our team of LA pedestrian accident attorneys composed a list of the seven most common causes of pedestrian accidents, including:

With an abundance of different distractions that are out there, including cell phones, GPS systems, eating and/or drinking, other passengers, radios, and more, it is easy for a driver to lose control of the vehicle. Oftentimes, drivers are a lot more confident than they think with their driving and attempt to split their attention from driving while doing something else. However, it is common for a driver to lose control–even if he or she is trying to change the song on the radio.

These common hazards may seem very small; however, they can seriously cause destruction in the blink of an eye. In fact, that is why there are so many laws that have been put into place when it comes to distracted driving. Any law that attempts to minimize distracted driving is extremely important to abide by and should be taken seriously.

Speeding

Another contributing factor to pedestrian accidents is speeding. Those who travel beyond the speed limit are likely to cause a severe accident. Whether it is an accident between two drivers or one between a driver and pedestrian, the outcome is never small.

When a driver is speeding and hits a pedestrian, the consequences are often fatal because the impact is so significant. Pedestrians do not have the protection a driver would. You should always think twice when speeding because it can cause a detrimental accident.

Failing To Yield to Pedestrians

Failing to yield to pedestrians is also a common occurrence that results in serious accidents. Most times when this occurs, it is the driver’s fault. In the state of California, the law is that pedestrians always have the right of way at marked and unmarked crosswalks, meaning that vehicles must yield the right of way to pedestrians.

Disobeying Traffic Signs and Signals

Although drivers running through stop signs does happen, this is found to make up only 17% of pedestrian accident causes. Usually, most drivers end up stopping and then see a pedestrian or fail to yield the right of way to them when it is too late. The types of accidents that stem from a failure to yield the right of way represent 70% of all accidents at intersections at stop signs.

Failing to use signals

The failure to use signals while turning happens far too often. In fact, if a driver fails to signal before making a turn and the pedestrian is struck, the driver is at fault for the accident.

Reckless driving during bad weather conditions

Disregarding bad weather conditions and traveling at a certain speed when it is unsafe can play a huge role in a pedestrian accident. Drivers must be extra cautious when driving during bad weather conditions, such as rain or fog.

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Under no circumstances should a driver be operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This heightens the likelihood of a serious accident of any kind, including a pedestrian accident. When a driver is legally impaired, he or she is not able to operate a vehicle safely at all.

Contact Our Team of Los Angeles Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one has fallen victim to a pedestrian accident caused by the negligence of another driver, don’t hesitate to contact the best lawyer for pedestrian accidents Los Angeles has to offer.

We are an experienced personal injury attorney in Los Angeles and we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your losses.