HOLDING DRIVERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS

June 11, 2015
dhdlaw

The fact is that everyone is a pedestrian at some point each day. This is true whether you like to go for a jog in the morning or you simply have to walk through a parking lot after parking your car. One might think that this commonality between motorists and pedestrians would make drivers extra vigilant when operating near marked crosswalks and other pedestrian crossings at intersections.

This is not always the case. This is even despite the fact that here in Pennsylvania drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are attempting to cross a roadway while they are within any marked crosswalk. The same rules also apply for pedestrians crossing at intersections with unmarked crosswalks. Sadly, researchers with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association say that motor vehicles killed 4,743 pedestrians and injured 76,000 others in 2012. Even worse, NHTSA says that the average number of fatalities has remained fairly steady and hovered around 4,500 per year between the years of 2003 and 2012.

Many people downplay the potential dangers pedestrians face for a number of reasons. Perhaps one of the most widely held beliefs is that children are more likely to be struck by cars while walking. Not true. According to NHTSA, the average age of a pedestrian killed by a car was 46 years old in its 2012 survey. The average age of a pedestrian injured by vehicle was 35.

Regardless of the victim’s age, it’s important to know that even a relatively low speed collision between a car, light truck or SUV and a pedestrian can be devastating. It’s likely that those victims will suffer broken bones, damage to their internal organs, traumatic brain injuries and even paralysis. These victims can also accumulate enormous medical bills as they receive the treatment they need to properly heal from their injuries.

For over 25 years, our law firm has represented clients successfully in vehicle vs. pedestrian accident lawsuits. From our Doylestown law offices, we provide experienced legal representation for clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Prospective clients should know that they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries including lost wages, medical expenses and even pain and suffering in some cases.