Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Walking can help improve physical stamina, memory, sleep, and your ability to learn and think clearly. It can also help ease anxiety symptoms. Many people also depend on walking as their main mode of transportation for their daily and leisure activities. Overall, it provides health, social, and environmental benefits.
Tragically, pedestrian accidents, injuries, and deaths remain high. In a recent year, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 67,000 pedestrians were injured in accidents, and 7,522 were killed nationwide. To learn how you can secure the compensation you deserve after getting hurt in a pedestrian crash, don’t delay discussing your case with our SC pedestrian accident attorney. Meanwhile, here are common causes of pedestrian accidents you should know about.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Happen in SC
There’s a broad range of factors that can contribute to pedestrian accidents in SC, and most of these are due to drivers who violate the road rules:
- Speeding – Speeding without accounting for the posted speed limits is among the most common causes of SC pedestrian crashes.
- Distracted Driving – These include texting, talking, and doing other things on mobile phones or electronic gadgets, tinkering with the radio or GPS, eating, grooming, and other tasks that take the attention of drivers off the roadway.
- Not Giving Pedestrians The Right-of-Way – Most pedestrians who get killed in crashes get hit while crossing an intersection because of drivers who don’t respect the right-of-way rules.
- Not Signaling Before Making a Turn – When drivers do not give a signal before they make a turn, crossing pedestrians may not know that they are walking straight into the driver’s path.
- Driving While Drugged or Drunk – The most devastating pedestrian crashes usually involve drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Reckless Driving Behaviors – Fatigue, aggressive driving, speeding, and other reckless driving behaviors all put the lives of pedestrians in danger. Take note that there’s not much difference between the reflexes of a drunk driver and a fatigued or sleepy driver.
- Reduced Visibility – A lot of pedestrian crashes happen at night. Reduced visibility and the chances of drivers driving while drugged, drunk, or fatigued at night all contribute to nighttime pedestrian accidents. On the other hand, many pedestrian accidents also occur during dusk and dawn because drivers and pedestrians must contend with low visibility or the sun’s glare.
There Are Laws to Help Prevent Pedestrian Accidents in SC
When driving in SC, all motor vehicle drivers must follow these laws:
- Watch out for pedestrians at all times to avoid a crash.
- In crosswalks without traffic control signals or malfunctioning signals, drivers must give right-of-way to pedestrians.
- In marked crosswalks, drivers must not overtake or pass a stopped vehicle to enable pedestrians to cross.
When pedestrians are injured or killed because a driver violated any of these laws, they are entitled to seek monetary compensation from the at-fault party for their injuries and related damages.
Reach Out to Our Skilled SC Pedestrian Accidents Attorneys Today
At Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC, our SC pedestrian accident attorneys will work hard to ensure you recover the compensation you need to cover your pedestrian accident-related damages and expenses. Call 864-242-9008 or contact us online to arrange your free case review with our SC pedestrian attorneys.