
Among all personal injury cases, pedestrian accidents are among the most hurtful. Due to the lack of physical shielding, pedestrians have only limited side guard rails and sidewalk protection. The situation is exacerbated after the sun sets when decreased visibility dramatically increases the chances of accidents.
Some individuals and drivers tend to be more careless during the night, and this can be seen when leaving work after the clock has hit 10 pm or after drinking alcohol on the weekends. You can file for compensation if you have sustained any injury during a nighttime pedestrian accident.
However, liability must be proven; other people or a business’s negligence caused your injury. By hiring a professional personal injury attorney, you can improve on making a better claim while seeking the financial compensation you need.
Why Are Night-time Pedestrian Accidents So Common?
A rise in negligence and carelessness can be associated with the high number of pedestrian accidents and deaths in America. A pedestrian’s clothes and the lack of reflective gear contribute greatly, specifically at night when visibility is already low; dark clothes add to the problem greatly.
In addition, the rapid increase in smartphone availability has caused drivers and pedestrians to become increasingly distracted, losing focus on what is important—the road.
American streets often prioritize car speed over pedestrian safety, resulting in insufficient crosswalks. Additionally, the economic downturn in suburban areas has led to more pedestrians using roads not meant for foot traffic.
1) Reduced Visibility
Decreased visibility at night obscures drivers’ sight, making it hard for them to notice pedestrians who do not wear reflective clothing. Normally, low-visibility streets make strategizing harsh as drivers do not see pedestrians walking on the road.
2) Distracted Driving and Walking
These days, smartphones have proved to be a major cause of distraction for pedestrians and drivers. Drivers text or navigate via GPS while pedestrians fixate their attention on their phones instead of on the road.
3) Road Design and Infrastructure
Pedestrians are neglected in favor of vehicle speed on most American roads, sometimes making them deadly. Crosswalks, traffic lights, and other necessary infrastructure amenities are seldom available in suburban regions that aren’t used to heavy foot traffic, thus exposing pedestrians.
4) Impaired Drivers
People under the influence of alcohol or drugs tend to drive around during the night, hence raising the chance for accidents to happen.
Pedestrian Duties and Responsibilities
There are rights that pedestrians hold, but even these come hand in hand with some responsibilities to ensure that they are safe and never get involved in accidents. Such responsibilities include:
- Pedestrians must obey signals at intersections and follow other traffic laws. Transgressing the signal while crossing at a red light or failing to use a crosswalk aggravates the likelihood of accidents.
- Crosswalks facilitate pedestrian use of roadways safely, as drivers are expected to expect pedestrians crossing from the other side of the road in these places.
- Avoiding focusing on surroundings and getting distracted by electronic devices is crucial to one’s safety.
- Wearing reflective clothing or even carrying a flashlight enhances the visibility of car drivers or loiterers walking about at night.
- If sidewalks are present, pedestrians should use them. If sidewalks are absent, pedestrians should walk on the road but face the oncoming traffic to be visible.Â
Conclusion
Recovering from a pedestrian accident is physically, emotionally, and financially challenging. Handling a claim alone can lead to costly mistakes, reduced settlements, or denials.
Engaging an experienced personal injury lawyer ensures that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of ensuring that the compensation you require is received.
References:
- https://www.dolmanlaw.com/blog/pedestrian-accidents-night-responsible/
- https://www.tedlaw.com/pedestrian-rights-and-duties-in-traffic-accidents/
- https://www.knrlegal.com/walking-after-dark-the-rights-of-pedestrians-in-nighttime-car-accidents/
- https://injury.arnoldsmithlaw.com/who-is-responsible-for-pedestrian-accidents-that-occur-at-night.html