Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents in Grand Prairie

Pedestrians are often put at risk of injury when walking alongside cars, trucks, and motorcycles in Grand Prairie. There are many reasons why a motor vehicle might strike a pedestrian. For example, pedestrian accidents occur more often at night because visibility is a factor.  Many accidents happen on crosswalks or sidewalks or on the side of the road, and the type of injuries that pedestrians sustain can be devastating or fatal.

If you were severely injured in a collision, a seasoned pedestrian accident attorney could help you seek compensation for your injuries. A knowledgeable attorney could help you understand the common types of pedestrian accidents in Grand Prairie and help you hold a negligent driver accountable for their actions.

The risk to The Elderly

Senior citizens face specific difficulties that place them more at risk of being struck by cars. Roadway design is one issue. Cities are not always designed for the benefit of elderly people traveling on foot.

Short Traffic Signals

A second factor is short signals that present a challenge to older adults. People undergo many changes as their bodies age. One issue is the inability to move as quickly as they did in their youth. Not only does it take a longer for many senior citizens to cross the street, but the loss of mobility also makes them less likely to dodge an oncoming car or get out of the way of speeding bicyclists at the last minute. Older people are more likely to suffer vision problems and have difficulty hearing, placing them more at risk of a short signal.

Jaywalking

Jaywalking is a behavior that some elderly people engage in to avoid busy or dangerous intersections or to give cars more time to see them. Elderly people may be seen to be at fault for jaywalking even when their crossing point is a conscious choice to avoid an accident.

Urban roads are risky for the elderly. Longer and wider highways and faster-moving traffic make it nearly impossible for older people to cross the road before the lights begin to change. The cars on these roads are likely to be going so quickly that they cannot stop in time to avoid a crash.

Crash injuries can be devastating to a senior citizen. Even the effects of a non-fatal crash can prove life-threatening. An elderly person who suffers fractured ribs might need intensive care or spend days attached to a ventilator. Seniors may never fully recover from a broken hip or head injury.

Are Pedestrians At Risk With Aggressive Drivers?

Aggressive driving is operating a motor vehicle in an unsafe or hostile manner without regard for others. Aggressive driving could include making frequent or unsafe lane changes, failing to signal or yield the right of way, tailgating, and disregarding traffic controls.

Any type of pedestrian has the potential to trigger aggressive driving habits for somebody who is in a hurry and does not want to take the time for the pedestrian to cross the roadway.

Tourists

Tourists can be frustrating to local residents. Most pedestrian accidents happen in marked crosswalks where tourists are meant to be walking rather than the jaywalkers.

How Weather Could Contribute to a Pedestrian Crash

When someone is a pedestrian, and a storm is approaching, they have to worry about getting to their destination as quickly as possible, and they must also worry about the increased risks of traffic accidents. Treacherous weather could cause driving hazards. The most threatening of these are poor visibility, wet pavement, rain, and snow.

The risks are exponentially increased when a driver has to swerve, brake, or avoid pedestrians in the street. That is why it is extraordinarily important year-round to take proper precautions when walking near traffic, especially in inclement weather.

Get In Touch with a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

When walking on foot, pedestrians should be aware of their surroundings to help prevent a collision from occurring. Additionally, drivers should pay attention to the road at all times to avoid hitting a pedestrian. Some of the common types of pedestrian accidents in Grand Prairie include collisions with elderly residents, hazardous weather, and negligent motorists. Following a collision, you should seek help from an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. Call today.