Pedestrian accidents happen more often than we would like them to. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) published statistics on pedestrian deaths in 2020.
According to the CDC, “More than 7,000 deaths, with one pedestrian dying on the roads every seventy-five minutes. Furthermore, over 104,000 people were treated for non-fatal injuries also in 2020.”
Pedestrians want to be able to navigate busy cities and towns safely, but, unfortunately, this is only sometimes the case. Below are some common causes of pedestrian accidents and explanations of why pedestrian deaths are so high.
Substance and Alcohol Use
The use of substances such as drugs and alcohol is a significant contributing factor to the high rate of pedestrian accidents. According to the CDC, 13 percent of the 2020 pedestrian accidents involved a drunk driver. Many of the people who have been killed on US roads were discovered to have died as a result of drugs and alcohol.
Whether you are driving or walking on the road, drugs and alcohol in your system cloud your concentration and impair your judgment. Meanwhile, the drivers alone are not to blame; sometimes, the drunken individual in the accident is the pedestrian. The same CDC report concluded that at least 32 percent of pedestrian accident victims had a BAC of 0.08 grams per deciliter.
Unmarked Pathways and Crosswalks
“Unmarked crosswalks are designated crossing areas that are not usually visible to motorists and are causes of pedestrian accidents,” says attorney Jan Dils.Responsible pedestrians use marked crosswalks to cross busy roads such as intersections and other accident hotspots. It can be challenging for drivers to focus on driving and pedestrians crossing the road, especially if they do not use marked crosswalks.
A Pedestrian Wearing Dark Clothing
Pedestrian accidents occur at night and during the day, with night accidents being more common. One of the reasons for this is that pedestrians wear dark clothing, making it hard for motorists to spot them. While motorists drive with headlights that help illuminate their surroundings, they cannot always react promptly to pedestrians in dark clothing.
This situation becomes worse when it is in an area with little to no street lighting. To help minimize the occurrence of accidents, pedestrians should make themselves more visible by putting on brightly-colored clothing. Carrying pocket flashlights also helps a great deal.
Quiet Vehicles
Vehicle manufacturers are now producing electric cars, generally quieter than fuel-consuming ones. These vehicles can be much harder to detect if they come up behind you or around a corner.
Thanks to the prevalence of electric vehicles, hearing alone cannot help pedestrians determine whether a road is safe to cross. As such, they have to rely on multiple senses, including vision and hearing, to detect the presence of vehicles.
Use of Electronic Devices
Electronic devices are undoubtedly a convenient way to pass the time, but they have also been culprits in pedestrian accidents. Many personal injury lawyers will claim that there are no laws against using electronics while walking on the road. However, according to a study, eight percent of pedestrian accidents have occurred because a pedestrian was using an electronic device.
Conclusion
Pedestrian accidents can be caused by pedestrians and motorists, mainly if one or both are not responsible. Consider hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer when you are a pedestrian accident victim. They may be able to help you learn more about your rights and eligibility for compensation.