California is home to many outdoor-lovers. Perhaps this plays a part in why so many residents are struck by automobiles. You would think someone walking or biking would be easy to spot, yet auto-pedestrian accidents still occur at an alarming rate across the nation.
While it is difficult to identify a single common denominator in auto-pedestrian accidents, a few patterns present in many accidents can shine a bit of light on why they occur. First, here are some key points to consider.
— Pedestrians account for only 11 percent of the nation’s transport, yet 13 percent of traffic-related fatalities are pedestrians.
— Adults over 65 years and children younger than 15 account for 34 percent of the nation’s accident injuries.
— Each year, 4,000 pedestrians die and seventy-thousand suffer injuries in auto-pedestrian accidents.
As you can see, these accidents are an ongoing problem in California and in other areas of the country. As far as why they occur, there are many reasons. The list below contains just a few.
— Left turns: Cars that are making a left turn rather than a right turn have a higher risk of striking pedestrians. This could happen because neither the driver nor the pedestrian is paying attention to traffic patterns.
— No crosswalks: Many auto-pedestrian accidents happen at intersections. More marked crosswalks in these locations could dramatically reduce accidents involving pedestrians.
— Alcohol and distractions: It is no secret that either of these factors can contribute to an accident. However, you might be surprised to know that pedestrians share part of the responsibility for accidents involving alcohol or electronic distractions. Don’t text while walking and don’t walk near traffic while intoxicated.
Until both motorists and pedestrians can find a way to safely share the road, auto-pedestrian accidents will probably continue. In the meantime, those who have been injured or lost a loved one in a negligent pedestrian accident can do their part to deter wrongful behavior by pursuing a personal injury claim.
Source: Traffic Safety Store: Safety Resource Center, “Why People Get Hit: Eight Causes of Pedestrian Accidents,” Dana Henry, accessed March 23, 2017
