Those who live in the Brooklyn area know that getting around by car isn’t always the best option. Many locals don’t want to deal with the hassle of traffic and finding parking, while others simply want to enjoy the outdoors or find it more convenient to walk or bike to wherever they’re going.
While it may seem like walking or biking in your neighborhood or near your place of work seems safe, pedestrians are oftentimes at a significant risk of being struck by an errant vehicle. In fact, in 2022 alone, more than 7,000 pedestrians were killed on or near public roadways. Thousands of others are injured each year.
But why do these pedestrian accidents occur at such an alarming rate? Is there anything you can do to protect yourself in the Brooklyn area? Let’s dive in to answer those questions.
There are multiple causes of pedestrian accidents. Here are some of the most common:
- Failing to yield: Pedestrians have the right of way at intersections and in crosswalks. Yet, all too often drivers fail to recognize that pedestrians are entering the road, especially when those vehicles are turning. This can cause them to collide with a pedestrian at a high rate of speed, thus causing significant injuries.
- Speeding: A lot of drivers break the speed limit. And when they do, they lose control over their vehicle to a certain extent. For example, a speeding driver who sees a pedestrian in the road will need more time and distance to safely slow their vehicle and bring it to a stop. In some instances, this is simply impossible to do to avoid impact.
- Distraction: Despite public safety initiatives, far too many drivers remain distracted when behind the wheel. These distracted drivers are sometimes checking their phones, reading, looking at objects on the side of the road, or immersing themselves in interactions with their passengers. This can take their eyes of the road, which can cause them to miss pedestrians who have entered the roadway. A distracted driver can also jump a curb and strike those pedestrians who are on the sidewalk.
- Illegal turns: Some drivers who fail to adhere to traffic safety laws make illegal turns that put pedestrians at risk of being struck. This includes turning at a red light when doing so is prohibited and making illegal U-turns.
- Wrong-way driving: There are a fair number of one-way streets in our area. When pedestrians cross these streets, they tend to only look the way from which traffic should be coming toward them. When a motorist drives the wrong way, though, these pedestrians can be taken by surprise and seriously injured as a result.
There are other ways that pedestrian accidents occur. If any of them have impacted you or someone you love, then you may want to think about taking legal action, as doing so may be the only way to find accountability and recover compensation. And if you haven’t been involved in one of these accidents, then make sure you’re fully aware of your surroundings as you prepare to step off the curb and into the street. That’s the best way to protect yourself from drivers who may not be aware of your presence.
Be aggressive in pursuing your pedestrian accident personal injury case
You only get one shot at pursuing a personal injury case. So, even though you might be in the throes of your recovery, you have to find the energy and the will to develop a compelling case that gets you closer to the outcome you want. But if you’re like most pedestrian accident victims, you don’t even know where to start your legal journey. Don’t worry. There are plenty of resources and ample support out there to guide you along the way. What’s important is that you focus on your wellbeing, your recovery, and setting the wheels in motion for gathering evidence and crafting the persuasive legal arguments you need on your side.