When most of us think of car accidents we usually envision either a single car accident or a vehicle-on-vehicle collision. Unfortunately, some accidents involve pedestrians, often with extremely serious or even fatal consequences. Obviously, a pedestrian is much more vulnerable to injury or death than the person inside the car that hits the pedestrian. When a 5000 pound piece of metal and glass hits a pedestrian, even at a low speed, the outcome is rarely positive. Even though pedestrian accidents only make up about 11% of annual car accident fatalities, they are nonetheless the second most common cause of death due to a motor vehicle.
Causes of Pedestrian-Car Accidents in Mississippi
Generally, there are two primary causes of car-pedestrian collisions—driver error or pedestrian error. Pedestrians can disregard traffic lights, jaywalk, or small children may suddenly dart into traffic, endangering themselves as well as the parent who pursues them. Drivers may also disregard traffic signals or traffic laws or may simply not be paying attention to the pedestrians around them. Almost fifty percent of pedestrian accidents occur from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, suggesting that inability to see pedestrians may be a significant factor in car-pedestrian accidents.
Children under sixteen are most often the victims of pedestrian accidents, and there appears to be more pedestrian accidents on Friday, Saturday and Sunday than on the other weekdays. The speed of the car is a major factor in whether or not the pedestrian will survive the accident—the faster the car is traveling, the less likely it will be able to avoid hitting a pedestrian and the more likely the accident will be fatal to the pedestrian.
Specific Driver Error Factors in Pedestrian-Car Accidents
Automobile drivers often will disregard crosswalks at intersections, creating a significant risk for a serious pedestrian accident. Drivers must always take appropriate measures to ensure pedestrians are not crossing the road before entering a designated crosswalk. Other times auto drivers will ignore traffic controls, particularly those which specifically relate to pedestrians, or will fail to yield to a pedestrian who has already entered the driver’s lane as they start to cross the road. Unfortunately, impaired driving has left many pedestrians dead or seriously injured as the drunk driver drives onto a sidewalk and hits an unwitting pedestrian. There are even drivers who blatantly ignore the red, flashing lights of a school bus and pass, creating a high risk of injury to children who are getting off the bus.
Getting the Help You Need
A car-pedestrian collision is a traumatic event, both for the driver of the car, and of course for the pedestrian who has been struck. No one wants to be guilty of having injured another human being, especially one in such a defenseless position as a pedestrian. While pedestrians should always observe and obey traffic signals, and avoid distractions while walking, drivers must be hyper-vigilant, especially in city areas where pedestrians are common and small children could come from nowhere. If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian-car accident it is imperative that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area. Pedestrians who are struck by an automobile usually have extensive injuries, and could be out of work for weeks, months, or even years while they heal and recuperate. This adds up to mountains of medical bills as well as no income, meaning such an accident could devastate you and your family. You deserve compensation for your injuries, most especially if they were the result of driver error or a negligent or distracted driver. Don’t wait, as there is a statute of limitations for filing your Mississippi personal injury claim. Contact a knowledgeable Mississippi personal injury lawyer from our law firm who may be able to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.