Pedestrian accidents and non-traffic accidents are tragic and unfortunately happen more frequently than one would think. A pedestrian accident happens when a pedestrian comes into contact and is injured by a vehicle. A pedestrian is defined as a person who is walking, running, sitting, or laying down.
Pedestrian accidents do not include accidents with people on roller skating, in wheelchairs, on scooters, or on other transportation devices that enhance a pedestrian. Non-traffic accidents are accidents that occur with a vehicle in parking lots, driveways, or in other areas where the vehicle is not going through traffic. There are certain things that are important to know about pedestrian accidents both as a potential driver or pedestrian. Continue reading to learn more.
Pedestrians Almost Always Have The Right Of Way
Utah pedestrian and traffic laws indicate that motorized vehicles should always give the right of way to pedestrians, when the pedestrian is on a crosswalk or in a non-traffic area such as a parking lot or a driveway. However, that does not mean that the pedestrian has the right of way if they jump out in front of a vehicle. That is reckless behavior and not only could cause injury to the pedestrian, but potentially cause harm to the driver and anyone else in the car as well.
Most Pedestrian Accidents Happen In Traffic Zones
An important thing to understand about pedestrian accidents is that most of the time, they are not non-traffic accidents. More often than not, pedestrian accidents occur on the road, which is not hard to infer. However, what may be surprising is that a small percentage of pedestrian accidents happen at intersections. The majority of pedestrian accidents occur on the open road. Lastly, a very small amount of accidents occur in non-traffic areas such as parking lots, sidewalks, driveways, etc. The saying “look both ways before you cross the street” is around for a reason. It is important to always remember this.
Pedestrian Accidents Are More Common In Urban Areas
81% of pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas, while the remaining percentage occurs in more rural areas. There are more cars and more people located in cities, so this statistic makes sense. However, it does further point out the importance of being on the lookout for pedestrians when driving in urban areas as well as being alert when walking or standing near traffic in urban areas.
It Is Important To Be Aware At Night
The majority of pedestrian accidents occur at night. Night time brings less visibility for both drivers and pedestrians, so naturally more accidents occur. Night time is also a time when more people become drowsy, and less attentive and observant. More traffic accidents that occur between vehicles happen at night, for the same reasons. It is vital as a driver to be fully awake and aware at night, as the majority of the responsibility falls on them. However, pedestrians should also take special care to not put themselves in especially dangerous situations.
Do You Need A Personal Injury Attorney?
If you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian accident and have sustained injuries as a result, you could be eligible for compensation. If you have had a death in your family due to the negligence of a driver, you may be able to receive a settlement. However, securing a fair settlement requires having a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney on your side. We at LeBaron & Jensen provide high-quality legal advice and representation for those who have been injured in pedestrian accidents. For more information, feel free to reach out to us today!
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