pedestrian looking for cars

Common Pedestrian Accident Causes

As weather changes, the sun warms up Iowa, and more people decide that walking is a favorable form of transportation. Unfortunately, pedestrians are often at risk of the most catastrophic injuries when a negligent driver causes a severe crash.

If you suffer injuries as a pedestrian, proving that someone else caused your harm is crucial to your case. Our team at LaMarca Law Group, P.C. wants to help you understand your rights. As such, we work to explain the most common causes of pedestrian accidents so that you can keep yourself safe or safeguard your rights following a collision.

Some of the more common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Drunk driving
  • Speeding
  • Left turns and impatience
  • Failure to yield the right of way

If you need legal help following a pedestrian accident, call our firm today at (515) 705-0233.

Distracted Driving

Drivers can experience many different types of distractions. Distractions can be manual, visual, or cognitive. And while not all of them require the driver to look away from the road, they can remove the driver’s focus from what they should be doing.

Texting and driving can cause the most significant distractions. It takes about 5 seconds to respond to a text and another 10 to 15 seconds to refocus. This type of distraction while approaching a crosswalk can put all pedestrians (among others) at risk.

Drunk Driving

When a driver is intoxicated, they lose some basic motor functions that would typically keep others safe on the road. For instance, alcohol can reduce a driver’s reaction time, decision-making, and depth perception. If someone’s driving intoxicated, they may not stop in time to prevent a pedestrian accident.

Another possible problem with a drunk driver is the chance of them swerving onto the sidewalk where several pedestrians may be.

Speeding

Speeding is one of the most common causes of all accidents, not just those involving two vehicles. Pedestrians are at risk due to speeding, especially at legal crosswalks, stop signs, and traffic lights. When a driver is speeding, they may not have the time to stop and prevent a severe collision from occurring.

Left Turns and Impatience

Left turns are commonly a cause of pedestrian accidents when drivers don’t wait for people walking to cross the street. They may turn too early, causing the pedestrian to suffer injuries in a crash. It’s best for drivers to wait until they’ve fully crossed the street if walking in the same direction as the vehicle or at least halfway if the pedestrian is walking against the turning vehicle.

Failure to Yield the Right Of Way

The right of way is an important aspect for everyone on the road, including vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Everyone should recognize who has the right of way to ensure that safety is of the utmost priority. When the right of way is ignored, it can cause someone to suffer severe harm.

Many drivers ignore the right of way. Pedestrians yield the right of way to all vehicles at any point other than a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. If the unmarked crosswalk is at an intersection, the driver yields the right of way to pedestrians.

If someone else causes you to suffer a severe injury as a pedestrian, know that you have rights. However, working with a lawyer is important. A lawyer can help determine causation to hold negligent parties responsible for your damages.

At LaMarca Law Group, P.C., we put your needs first. Our Des Moines pedestrian accident lawyers go above and beyond to seek the most favorable outcome possible. We’ll seek maximum compensation on your behalf when it matters most. We’re here for you so that you can have peace of mind throughout the entire process.

For a free case evaluation, call our firm today at (515) 705-0233.

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