Much like motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents give little to no cover to the pedestrian to prevent serious injury. Despite stricter traffic laws in recent years including slower speed limits and increased pedestrian walk-ways, people continue to get hit by motor vehicles simply by walking down the street, and those injuries can be anywhere from serious to deadly.
Distracted Driving
Even at low speed, a driver can be distracted. And today, there are more sources of distraction than ever before. Just glance around at a traffic light to see how many of your fellow drivers are answering cell phones, or worse – texting. That split second when you check your messages or call a friend can sometimes mean the difference between being aware of the road and the people on it, and running someone over. And, according to the law, there is little doubt that should you drive distracted, you are culpable when, not if, someone gets seriously hurt.
In A Hurry
In today’s fast-paced world, everyone is in a hurry: in a hurry to get to work; in a hurry to get to a doctor’s appointment; in a hurry to pick up the kids; or, in a hurry to meet friends for dinner. Therefore, the temptation to drive fast and above the speed limit is more than tempting – it sometimes becomes an imperative. However, that three to five minutes you may save getting to your destination, may very well be some innocent person’s loss if you cannot stop in time. And again, the law mostly looks upon speeding, then hitting a pedestrian as your fault.
What Happens?
It is wise to think for a moment about what can happen to an individual if he is struck by a car, truck, or motorcycle. Optimistically, he may just be pushed out of the way and sustain few if any injuries. However, in too many instances, that is not the case, and the impact of even a vehicle as small as a Smart Car, can be devastating – that is, on average, about 1,000 pounds of moving metal against an average 150 pound human being. Simply no contest. That man or woman may sustain broken bones, multiple herniations, or worse, a head injury from which he or she may never recover. And not only will that injured individual suffer physical trauma, he or she may be out of work for a time, or forever, extending the impact of that accident to a family he or she may be responsible for. His personal life and his professional life may be forever changed.
We all should drive with care. And, should you be a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle, make sure to consult with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.
