Pedestrians have as much of a right to use the road as motor vehicles. As you walk around your city or town, you may not give your safety a second thought. Sadly, thousands of pedestrian accidents take place each year, with this number only increasing. Pedestrian deaths account for 18% of all traffic fatalities, with those who survive often experiencing catastrophic injuries. Given the vulnerability of pedestrians, motorists should take extreme caution when sharing the road with anyone walking, jogging, or bicycling.
At HGSK Injury Lawyers, our team of legal professionals works closely with pedestrians who have experienced serious injuries. The process of healing can take several weeks, months, or sometimes years, depending on the severity of your injuries. Our Reading pedestrian accident lawyers are dedicated to helping our clients obtain the most compensation possible.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Reading, PA
Drivers are expected to demonstrate a certain level of care when sharing the road with others. While most drivers do follow traffic rules and regulations, many are careless behind the wheel. In Reading, common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
Distracted Driving
Whether it be changing the radio station, applying makeup, or talking on your phone, we see inattentive drivers every day. Any time a driver takes their hands off the wheel, their eyes off the road, or their mind away from traffic, they only contribute to the problem. While there is no knowing the exact number of pedestrian fatalities caused by distracted drivers, the problem is one that can be easily prevented.
Drunk Driving
It is estimated that someone dies in a drunk driving accident every 39 minutes. Driving while intoxicated has demonstrated effects on a person’s motor skills, causing slowed reflexes and reduced coordination. In addition to impaired coordination, a driver under the influence of alcohol may experience blurred or double vision. Sadly, a pedestrian that attempts to cross the street in broad daylight is in grave danger when doing so in the path of a drunk driver.
Failing to Yield the Right-of-Way
Under Pennsylvania motor vehicle law, drivers must yield the right-of-way when a pedestrian crosses in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Although PennDOT reminds pedestrians to look both ways when crossing the street, motorists do have an obligation to use reasonable care to watch out for pedestrians. A driver who fails to yield right-of-way may be fined, have points levied against their license, and even experience higher insurance premiums.
Speeding
You are probably aware that traveling above the posted speed limit increases a vehicle’s stopping time. So, a driver who is speeding has less time to make appropriate judgment calls. A motorist traveling at 46 miles per hour who strikes a pedestrian with their vehicle places them at a 90% chance of suffering a serious injury. If conditions are slippery, stopping times further increase, placing more pedestrians at risk.
Failing to Signal
Pedestrians must rely on drivers telling them that they are turning before crossing the street. A driver who fails to signal a turn or forgets to turn off their signal endangers a pedestrian’s life. A motorist who gives proper notice of a turn keeps pedestrians and motorists safe.
Serious Injuries Cause Serious Damages
A pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle is likely to experience severe injuries. Common conditions include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding, and pelvic fractures. These injuries often cause individuals to miss time from work while attempting to physically recover. More than lost wages, injured parties will be plagued with a stack of medical bills, many of which are due upon receipt.
Like the rest of us, you have devoted years of work so you can enjoy financial prosperity, only to have your hard work ripped away. At HGSK Injury Lawyers, our Reading pedestrian accident lawyers understand the tremendous weight that you are under, only caused by another person’s ineptitude.
Our team of legal professionals adamantly believes that the wrongful party should pay for their negligence, not you. The insurance company will attempt to reduce the other party’s liability, but we will not stand for it. In hiring counsel, you will have advocacy from the moment you file your claim through insurance negotiations and at trial if necessary.
Contact a Reading Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
At HGSK Injury Lawyers, our priority is helping you obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve. Our legal team pursues each claim through an objective lens; conducting an independent investigation, gathering evidence to prove liability, and quantifying your damages. If you are interested in learning the true worth of your accident claim, do not hesitate to contact our Reading pedestrian accident lawyers today to arrange your free consultation. Our office can be reached online or by calling (267) 551-8782.