Car accidents are by far the most common type of accident involving an automobile vehicle, but that does not mean that pedestrian accidents aren't a serious threat. Nearly 5,000 pedestrians are killed in motor vehicle accidents each year, and thousands more are injured. Many of these accidents occur because drivers fail to respect a pedestrian's right of way, and while that right of way may be some consolation, it hardly makes up for the catastrophic injuries that the pedestrian will likely suffer.
When a driver is navigating an area in which there are pedestrians, the driver owes a duty of care to exercise reasonable care. If they do not exercise this care, then they are considered negligent, and they could be liable for any injuries that they cause. Examples of failing in the duty of care would be a driver speeding, failing to yield, disobeying traffic signs or driving while intoxicated. Even driving while distracted can be grounds for negligence. You can find more in-depth information about pedestrian accidents in this article.
Of course pedestrians do not get off completely free in the event of an accident. Pedestrians are responsible for their own safety to a degree, and they also have a duty of care in such situations. For example, a pedestrian who does not walk on a marked crosswalk or ignores the stop signal at an intersection may be found negligent. This pedestrian would have a very hard time being compensated for any injuries they incur.
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident and you believe that you were not at fault, it is in your best interests to meet with an attorney. Quick legal action can help you investigate the circumstances of the accident and build a strong case so that you can get the compensation you deserve.
