What Kind Of Driving Behaviors Often Cause Pedestrian Accidents – Florida Law
Some of the most catastrophic crashes on Tampa roads are those that involve a pedestrian. Unlike passengers in a vehicle, people who are walking, jogging, skateboarding or skating have nothing protecting them in a collision. Because of this, they often suffer life-threatening or fatal injuries.
Despite all the measures that have been put into place to protect pedestrians and make them more visible to motorists, thousands of them are hurt or killed every year by drivers. In many cases, accidents between cars and pedestrians could be prevented if motorists would simply avoid three dangerous behaviors.
- Distracted driving: People who are looking at their phone, reaching for a pen, eating or typing an address into their GPS are not looking at the road around them. They aren’t in tune the people around them and can roll through intersections or crosswalks without being aware of any pedestrians or recognizing that they should yield.
- Reckless driving: Too many drivers speed, roll through stop signs or red lights and make turns without looking out for pedestrians. Drivers who act without thinking and fail to take a second or two to assess the roads can hit a pedestrian they didn’t even see.
- Impaired driving: Drivers are expected to be sober and alert when they are operating a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, many people drive when they are seriously fatigued, drunk or impaired by different types of drugs. When a driver is not capable of thinking quickly and responding appropriately, they can do considerable damage to any person they strike.
Many pedestrian accidents could be prevented if drivers would just avoid these three particularly dangerous driving behaviors. Sadly, not every driver will.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident caused by a dangerous or negligent driver, it can be wise to discuss your legal options to pursue compensation with an attorney. The damages suffered can be considerable and recovering them can be crucial.
Source: FindLaw.com, “Pedestrian Accidents Overview,” accessed on Sept. 1, 2015
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