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Common causes of pedestrian accidents

On Behalf of | Jun 21, 2017 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Summer is officially in full swing across Louisiana, if you are among the many who are out enjoying the weather on foot, it is important to stay vigilant of passing vehicles. The Traffic Safety Store reports that more than 4,000 pedestrians die and about 70,000 suffer injury every year because of pedestrian-automobile accidents, and many of these accidents share common factors. At Bruno & Bruno, we understand the types of injuries that often result from such collisions, and we have helped many clients secure compensation following similar incidents.

When it comes to staying safe as a pedestrian, know that there are several factors that may place you at a higher risk of an accident than the general public. If you are, for example, over 65, your risk of a becoming a victim in a pedestrian accident increases. You are also more likely to suffer an injury on a sunny day, when more people take to the roadway on foot. Regardless of what time of day you take to the road, avoid drinking alcohol beforehand. While a motorist’s use of alcohol plays a role in about 13 percent of all pedestrian and automobile accidents, pedestrians, too, can reduce their risk of injury by remaining sober.

Many pedestrian-automobile accidents also result when motorists attempt to make left-hand turns. While you, as a pedestrian, are likely looking ahead at where you are trying to get, drivers are assessing oncoming traffic in an effort to make the turn, meaning they may not be looking for pedestrians like you in the street.

Many increasingly urban areas are seeing more traffic than ever before, and as cities grow in size, large, multilane roadways are becoming increasingly necessary to ensure the flow of traffic. Because these high-speed roadways are often located in urban areas where people like you may be on foot, this, too, is a likely contributor to the number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities on Louisiana thoroughfares. More information about pedestrian accidents is available on our website.  

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