Accidents involving pedestrians occur for many reasons, and the increase in distracted drivers because of smartphones plays a massive role. Whether walking for exercise, relaxation, or commuting, many people are walking, running, and cycling throughout the day.
You may pursue legal action to obtain compensation if someone else’s recklessness caused you harm. Contact a hard-working lawyer if you have questions about the common causes of pedestrian accidents in Inverness.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Collisions?
Some of the most typical causes of pedestrian wrecks in Inverness include the following:
- Talking on the phone, reading emails, texting, and other smartphone-related distractions
- Failing to give the right-of-way in intersections
- Intoxicated motorists
- Excessive speed, tailgating, and other dangerous actions behind the wheel
- Inclement weather causing hazardous road conditions
- Poor visibility from fog, rain, or during nighttime hours
- Passing school buses with its extended stop sign out
- Going around other vehicles stopped for pedestrians at crosswalks
When drivers and walkers understand the hazards, they can take precautions to avoid unnecessary risks.
Examples of Bodily Injuries
Unfortunately, the consequences are often catastrophic when a much heavier vehicle strikes a pedestrian. Examples of common bodily injuries include back and spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, severe facial and dental damage, and wrongful death.
Pedestrian Safety Tips
While many severe accidents happen because of driver negligence, pedestrians in Inverness can also take precautions to keep themselves safe. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, safety tips include:
- Obey traffic rules, signs, and signals
- When crossing the road when there is no crosswalk available, locate an area with high visibility to ensure they see approaching vehicles and motorists see them
- Remain alert for drivers backing out of parking spots and driveways
- Walk facing approaching traffic when there is no sidewalk or path available
- Avoid distractions at all times, such as wearing both headphones to listen to music or cell phones, and remain alert of vehicles at all times
- Avoid drinking or taking drugs when traveling on foot
Pedestrian injuries and fatalities from being struck by cars are a common occurrence and continue to increase.
State Pedestrian Laws
State traffic and safety laws protect pedestrians while traveling on foot, ensuring drivers understand their duty to share the roads. Under Florida Statutes § 316.130, people traveling on foot must obey regulations and traffic control devices directing pedestrians unless police officers direct otherwise. Motorists must yield to anyone crossing marked or unmarked crosswalks.
The state provides people on foot, bikes, roller skates, etc., with infrastructure like sidewalks, overhead crossings, tunnels, and bridges. Pedestrians must use them when available.
Those traveling on foot and motorists are penalized when they fail to comply with the state regulations. A lawyer knowledgeable about the typical causes of pedestrian accidents in Inverness could determine whether any regulations could affect a claim and answer specific questions during the consultation.
Speak to a Knowledgeable Attorney About the Common Causes of Inverness Pedestrian Accidents
Florida’s comfortable weather and beautiful scenery make walking, jogging, and cycling typical, and they are often out and about throughout the day and nighttime hours. Despite the traffic regulations and efforts to teach the public about the potential dangers, many continue to act negligently, leading to severe accidents with devastating ramifications.
In civil court, personal injury laws allow you to file a lawsuit to collect an award for damages after suffering harm because of the thoughtless actions of someone else. Schedule an appointment to review your case and learn more details about the common causes of pedestrian accidents in Inverness.
