A pedestrian is any person who is walking or running on foot. It’s common for pedestrians to walk on street and roadways, where there is a lot of traffic. In 2017, nearly 6,000 pedestrians in the United States were killed in traffic accidents. That same year, about 137,000 pedestrians were treated in the emergency room for injuries they sustained in traffic accidents.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed in an auto accident than the occupant of a vehicle is.
To help pedestrians protect themselves, here are three things they should know about pedestrian accidents.
1. How Pedestrian Accidents Happen
In many cases, drivers are to blame for pedestrian accidents. Here are some common ways drivers cause pedestrian accidents:
- They are distracted.
- They speed or engage in reckless driving.
- They are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- They fail to stop or yield at an intersection.
- They back up their vehicle without looking.
- They don’t pay attention when they make a left-hand turn.
- They fail to slow down in inclement weather.
Pedestrians can also cause their own injuries, however. This is especially true of pedestrians who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Pedestrians can also become injured when they are distracted. Distracted walking accidents, which usually involves talking or texting on the phone, are becoming more common.
2. What the Common Injuries Include
Pedestrians usually don’t have any protection, which makes them all the more vulnerable to serious injuries when struck by a vehicle. The most common types of injuries are those to the lower part of the body. This is because the lower extremities are the first part of a pedestrian’s body to usually come into contact with a vehicle.
Common injuries to the lower extremities include:
- Trauma to the ligaments and muscles
- Pelvis fractures
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
During a pedestrian accident, the pedestrian’s head, neck, or face can also come into contact with the vehicle’s windshield. In this instance, injuries that occur include jaw fractures, skull damage, concussions, and neck injuries.
When the pedestrian’s body lands on the vehicle’s hood, injuries to the upper extremities are likely. These types of injuries include shoulder displacements, chest injuries, and injuries to the wrists and hands.
3. How to Prevent Pedestrian Accidents
For optimum protection, pedestrians should always obey the pedestrian laws in their state. In New York, pedestrians have the right-of-way when they are in a crosswalk, with or without traffic control signals. However, pedestrians need to yield the right-of-way when there is no crosswalk and they are in the middle of the block.
Additionally, pedestrians in New York are required to walk on the sidewalk; if there isn’t one, they need to walk on the left side of the roadway, which faces traffic. Pedestrians are not allowed on expressways or interstates.
Along with obeying state pedestrian laws, here are some more things pedestrians can do to protect themselves:
- Always obey traffic signs and signals.
- Stay alert and don’t be distracted by noises and electronic devices.
- Never assume a driver sees you.
- Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective gear at night.
- Be especially cautious in front of driveways and in parking lots.
Pedestrians should always use a crosswalk when crossing the street. If a crosswalk is not available, they should wait for a gap in traffic that is big enough to safely cross.
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, contact Siben & Siben LLP. Our personal injury lawyers help clients all over Long Island, and we have provided the highest-quality legal service since 1934.