Some pedestrian crashes are the result of people making poor choices as they walk or jog on busy roads. People who don’t monitor their surroundings might step out into traffic with devastating consequences.
However, many pedestrian crashes are the result of driver decisions, rather than safety violations on the part of the person on foot. Motorists may fail to consider the safety of pedestrians as they make choices about how they behave.
Those choices may make them liable for the harm a crash causes others. The three unsafe choices below can substantially increase the risk of a pedestrian crash.
1. Drinking and driving
People who are under the influence of alcohol play an outsized role in pedestrian crashes. A substantial portion of pedestrian collisions involve a driver who has consumed or is still consuming alcohol. This can reduce attentiveness and increase reaction times, both of which can endanger pedestrians.
2. Distracted driving
Checking text messages or otherwise interacting with a smartphone while driving — even if waiting for a green light or while stuck in traffic — can easily result in people getting hurt. Distracted drivers may not adequately check their surroundings for pedestrians, especially when stopped at intersections. They may then strike people who were clearly visible if they had been paying attention.
3. Speeding
Higher speeds may increase the severity of a pedestrian crash. They also make collisions more likely, as drivers may not have time to slow down and stop.
When a pedestrian crash is clearly the result of unsafe driving, reviewing the circumstances with an experienced attorney can help people explore liability and recoup their losses.