Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Each year, hundreds of pedestrians lose their lives due to traffic accidents in Texas. Thousands more suffer serious injuries. In the aftermath of these accidents, plaintiffs may face extensive medical expenses, years of missed wages, and serious psychological trauma. If you find yourself in this situation, you may be intent on discovering the root cause of your accident. Perhaps it was all over in a flash, and you are not quite sure how it happened. Maybe you suffered a serious head injury, and the resulting memory loss makes the entire incident difficult to remember.

Whatever the case may be, it could be helpful to examine some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Texas. For a free consultation on whether you have a claim and are eligible for compensation, call is today at (972) 529-3476.

Failure to Yield

Pedestrians have the right of way in many situations. Motorists who fail to yield can easily strike pedestrians, and this is one of the most common causes of these accidents. For example, a driver turning left at a green light may fail to check for walking pedestrians, zoom through the intersection, and strike individuals in the crosswalk. Many drivers also forget that pedestrians have the right of way at stop signs, and this is one of the main reasons drivers need to come to a complete stop at intersections with stop signs. As a pedestrian, you have every right to cross if there is a stop sign.

That being said, pedestrians do not “automatically” have the right of way in Texas. For example, drivers are under no obligation to yield if you run into the road without warning. Generally speaking, you are only allowed to cross at marked crosswalks or stop signs. Pedestrians always have the right of way in parking lots, however, as these are technically walking areas (and not roads).

Running Red Lights

Running a red light puts everyone in danger – but pedestrians are especially vulnerable. Even if a driver accelerates after seeing a yellow light, a pedestrian could begin crossing before they reach the intersection. Slow-moving pedestrians such as elderly or disabled individuals may not have time to cross before the light turns green – and these people may find themselves in the direct path of negligent drivers.

If you were struck by a motorist who ran a red light, you can feel relatively confident about holding them accountable and pursuing compensation. That being said, Texas banned the use of red light cameras in 2019 – so you may need to rely on dashcam footage, private surveillance footage, and eyewitness testimony to prove fault in these situations.

Distraction

Many motorists strike pedestrians after becoming distracted behind the wheel. Various factors can lead to distracted driving, including phones, passengers, food, makeup, and many others. Anything that takes your eyes off the road for even a second counts as a driving distraction.

Pedestrians are more difficult to spot compared to moving vehicles, and they are, therefore, especially vulnerable to distracted driving. While a motorist might be able to detect a nearby vehicle out of the corner of their eye while texting, a pedestrian is much more difficult to spot. This is especially true in the case of children or anyone else who falls within blind spots.

Intoxication

Intoxicated driving can endanger the lives of everyone on the road – and pedestrians are also vulnerable. A variety of intoxicating substances can affect a motorist’s judgment, vision, and reaction times. A pedestrian may be much closer than a drunk driver realizes. An intoxicated driver is also more likely to forget the rules of the road, thereby failing to yield to crossing pedestrians.

Poor Visibility

Poor visibility is another leading cause of pedestrian accidents in Texas. Often, pedestrians are very difficult to spot at night – especially when they wear dark clothing. It is unreasonable to expect pedestrians to wear reflective clothing when the sun goes down, however, and motorists are always at fault for failing to detect pedestrians legally crossing at night.

Find a Qualified Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Irving

If you are in need of a qualified pedestrian accident lawyer in Irving, look no further than the David Sanchez Law Group, PLLC. With our help, you can confidently get to the bottom of your pedestrian accident in Texas. Although you might not be sure about the root cause of your accident, you may still be eligible to pursue fair compensation. Our experienced attorneys can look into your accident in more detail, gather evidence, and negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement. Compensation for your medical expenses and missed wages may be easier to obtain than you realize – so call and speak to a lawyer today at (972) 529-3476.

Related Link:

• The Dangers of Distracted Walking: Pedestrian Accidents Caused by Smartphone Use