According to a 2018 report on pedestrian traffic fatalities by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas on segments of the road where there are no intersections. They also happen on shared paths, driveways, medians, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, parking lanes, and roadsides. The NHTSA also reports that the majority of fatal pedestrian accidents occur at night.
A pedestrian is defined as a person who is on foot and active in areas where traffic exists. A pedestrian may be walking, standing, sitting, lying down, running, or hiking. When a driver or a pedestrian fails to exercise proper care, an accident can occur, causing catastrophic injury or fatality.
Areas Where Most Pedestrian Accidents Occur
On average, a pedestrian was killed every 84 minutes in a traffic crash in 2018, according to the NHTSA. Many of these accidents occurred at night or when visibility was limited. These accidents were most likely to occur in areas such as:
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Urban Areas
The NHTSA reports that 81% of all fatal pedestrian accidents occurred in urban areas in 2018. The main reason for this is the high level of concentrated pedestrians and motorists side-by-side in metropolitan areas.
Both motorists and pedestrians must be on high alert at all times when navigating through dense traffic. The slightest distraction or error in judgment can lead to an accident quickly.
Intersections
The NHTSA data shows that 74% of pedestrian fatalities in 2018 occurred on sections of the road with no intersection. However, even with their signage and right of way protections, 17% of fatal pedestrian accidents occurred in intersections.
Accidents between cars and pedestrians can occur at intersections where motorist activities such as turning right, turning left, or crossing over may create conflicts with pedestrian traffic.
Some of the main reasons why accidents occur at intersections include:
- Failing to assess a situation accurately
- Falsely assuming what a driver or pedestrian will do
- Proceeding with limited visibility
- Traffic violations such as U-turns
- Distracted driving
- Poor judgment about the distance between cars
- Other forms of negligence
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Roadsides or Shoulders
People often walk in areas that are not designated for pedestrians. These areas include highways or busy streets with narrow shoulders or no sidewalks. Motorists in these areas may not expect pedestrians to be present. Therefore, they may not be prepared for encounters with individuals or groups walking along these roads.
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Parking Areas
Parking areas are among the most challenging places to navigate due to the narrow lanes and small parking spaces. Numerous objects and vehicles may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of an accident. Furthermore, drivers may be in a hurry to beat other drivers to prime parking spots.
Accidents may occur in parking lots as a result of someone not looking before backing up. Also, a pedestrian may walk past a car without noticing the reverse lights. Distracted driving and walking can both cause pedestrian accidents in parking lots.
Shared Use Paths or Trails
Cars are not the only vehicles that get into accidents with pedestrians. Bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, skateboards, and even roller blades can present risks on shared-use paths or trails.
For instance, instead of using a bicycle lane on the street, a cyclist may choose to ride on the sidewalk. This can lead to an accident with a pedestrian due to the narrow walkway. In crowded areas, pedestrians and riders on multiple recreational vehicles can collide. These types of accidents can lead to severe injuries, causing victims to be in recovery for long periods.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Lafayette or Alexandria, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers may be able to help you. We represent pedestrian accident victims in settlement negotiations or personal injury lawsuits.
We may be able to investigate your accident, identify the liable party, and pursue compensation on your behalf when we represent you. This could also allow us to handle all communications, deadlines, and paperwork in your case while you concentrate on your recovery.
Recoverable damages may include the costs of your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
For a free, no-obligation consultation on your case with a member of our team, call us today (337) 777-7777.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers represents clients on a contingency-fee basis with no up-front payments necessary. In this type of arrangement, we do not collect attorney’s fees unless and until our clients recover compensation in a settlement offer or court awards.
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