Nearly everyone understands the risks associated with driving, but many are surprised by the startling frequency of car accidents. Based on data collected by the National Highway of Traffic Administration, it is estimated that, worldwide, there is a car accident every minute of the day. Car accidents account for billions of dollars in financial losses each year, and leave millions of people suffering from personal injuries.
Any car accident has the potential to cause catastrophic and life-altering injuries, but some of the most severe result from car accidents near crosswalks. Car accidents at crosswalks can result in enormous losses, because they often involve pedestrians that lack any sort of protection.
Victims of car accidents at crosswalks can count on the Provo, UT attorneys at Flickinger, Sutterfield & Boulton to get them the compensation they are due for all losses associated with accident injuries.
How Common Are Crosswalk Accidents?
Crosswalks are clearly marked intersections that are meant to provide a safe place for pedestrians to cross the road. Sadly, crosswalks do not always works as intended. Data shows that crosswalk car accidents are on the rise.
These following statistics show just how dangerous crosswalk accidents can be to pedestrians:
- Pedestrians account for 13 percent of traffic fatalities in the United States
- 73 percent of pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas (usually at or near a crosswalk)
- On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic accident every 100 minutes
Causes of Crosswalk Accidents
To improve safety for pedestrians, crosswalks are not only distinguished with white stripes of paint, they are also often controlled by a walk signal and a traffic light. With so many precautions in place, why are crosswalk accidents such a danger to pedestrians?
Sadly, most of the leading causes of crosswalk accidents stem from driver recklessness or neglect. Many drivers fail to take the precautions necessary to ensure that a crosswalk is clear before entering it.
Specifically, some of the most common causes of crosswalk accidents include the following:
- Distracted driving (i.e. texting while driving, talking on the phone, eating, or playing with the car stereo)
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding
- Failing to comply to traffic lights or stop signs
Crosswalk Accident Damages
When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, the damages can be severe. Even if a car is traveling at low speeds, it can significantly injure someone who lacks the protection of a vehicle. In many cases, pedestrian accident injuries are catastrophic, causing long-term changes to the way a person lives.
Aside from the physical and emotional trauma of injuries, victims also suffer costly financial losses as the result of medical expenses and lost wages. All of these damages should be paid by the person or party responsible for the accident.
Learn More
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident at a crosswalk, you are probably dealing with insurmountable losses. To learn more about your legal right to financial compensation for damages, contact us at your earliest convenience.