Car accidents are not always solely the concern of those riding in the vehicles involved in a collision. Pedestrians are often innocent bystanders in the wrong place at the wrong time. People on sidewalks and crosswalks are also at risk of being injured or killed during a car accident. This means that pedestrians are often being represented by personal injury attorneys in auto collisions. Here are some of the statistics surrounding pedestrian involvement in car accidents:
Crosswalks make pedestrians a target. They are the most hazardous place for a pedestrian to be, even when there are traffic laws in place to help ensure their safety. In Oregon, we are facing a potential record year for pedestrian fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 40 percent of all pedestrian who are killed lose their life in the last three months of the year. The all-time high for pedestrian fatalities in Oregon was 59 deaths in 2019. And 2020 is close to pushing past that mark with 57 as of December 1.
Remember too that not all pedestrian fatalities are due to negligent drivers. Sometimes weather comes into play, which could very well be why the colder months are when there is a heightened risk for fatalities with pedestrians. Other than not following traffic laws, a driver can also lose control of their vehicle and swerve onto sidewalks or through crosswalks while pedestrians are legally crossing the road.
There is also an obligation for everyone to follow the traffic laws governing pedestrians. While most states’ laws are fairly similar, you will need to refer to your own state’s code as a reference. But, it’s mostly common sense. If you do not follow your state’s traffic laws as a pedestrian, in Oregon, you can be found guilty of a Class D traffic violation. If a pedestrian is involved in a car accident, their safety is obviously much more precarious than those in the relative safety of an automobile. If you are fortunate enough to escape the clutches of death in such a horrific incident, you need to know if you are eligible to be compensated for your pain and suffering.
Pedestrians who get hit by a vehicle suffer everything from knee, hip and leg injuries to traumatic brain injury (TBI), if they escape death at all. If you have been hit by a car that was driven by a reckless driver, you should be able to collect insurance money for your medical bills from your own insurance company under personal injury protection (PIP). If you do not have car insurance, you should still have a legal means for collecting money. The personal injury protection of the person who hit you will often cover your expenses.
The only thing more important than knowing your legal rights is being able to execute them effectively with the help of a personal injury attorney in your area. Most good personal injury attorneys are happy to give you a free consultation to assess your situation.
