Although many believe utilizing marked crosswalks to be the safe way to cross through a roadway intersection, recent studies indicate that crosswalk accidents are a fairly common cause of road fatalities – when a pedestrian is struck by an automobile, serious or fatal injuries frequently occur. Crosswalk intersection accidents typically result from driver negligence. Drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs, distracted by mobile phone use or proceed through an intersection at an excessive rate of speed, all pose a tremendous threat to pedestrians.
Crosswalks are designed to be safe havens that protect passenger particularly when they are not crossing against traffic signals. Unfortunately, when inattentive or careless drivers do not pay careful attention at intersections, pedestrians can pay an enormous price. Pedestrians who are struck by cars, trucks or SUVs at intersections frequently suffer permanent debilitating injuries, such as brain injury, spinal cord injury, internal organ injury and other serious and even life-threatening injuries.
Despite the objective of crosswalks, which is to provide a relatively safe haven for pedestrians, there may be multiple parties that contribute to a serious intersection collision. Motorists that violate traffic safety laws and fail to watch the road, blow through stop signs or red lights or drive too fast to stop at intersections or failing to observe pedestrian right of way are the most typical cause of collisions in crosswalks. When a driver fails to exercise reasonable care by hitting pedestrians who are lawfully crossing in an intersection crosswalk, this may be the basis for a legal claim based on negligence against the driver.
Many times the design of the intersection itself may play a substantial role in causing pedestrian accidents. Lights may change too quickly from “walk” to “don’t walk” making it difficult for those who walk slower to cross the street safely. It is no coincidence that the elderly have a higher rate of being involved in pedestrian accidents than many other age groups.
While sometimes defective design characteristics or poor maintenance may make an intersection unsafe, other times public entities may have evidence that an intersection is particularly hazardous for pedestrians and fail to act. If there have been an unusually high number of pedestrian accidents at a particular intersection, this may put a public entity on notice that there is a problem. If the public entity fails to take remedial measures this may be the basis for imposing liability. One option in such a situation is to put raised buttons in the road that the driver will hear and feel when driving over them. Alternatively, a stop sign may be equipped with flashing yellow lights or flashing yellow lights may be installed on the ground in the vicinity of the intersection to help attract the driver’s attention. Studies indicate that drivers are more likely to acknowledge flashing lights in an intersection and adjust their speed/driving accordingly.
If you or a family member is injured in a pedestrian intersection collision, the experienced pedestrian accident attorneys at Barrett Law may be able to represent you in seeking financial compensation for any injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one. At the Barrett Law Offices PLLC, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi. Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.
