Pedestrian crashes are responsible for a disproportionate number of deaths and severe injuries. While it’s true that far more collisions occur between motor vehicles than between a vehicle and a pedestrian, without the vehicle to protect someone from the force of impact, the possibility of a poor outcome of a collision involving a pedestrian is substantially higher.
Those who live in the Twin Cities metropolitan area may regularly walk places for exercise or convenience. Every time someone travels on foot near motor vehicles, they are at risk of a pedestrian crash. Three factors, in particular, significantly contribute to a greater likelihood of a pedestrian collision occurring.
Distraction
Distracted drivers cause a significant portion of collisions. Their inability to focus on the road in front of them might mean that they might overlook a pedestrian in traffic. Distraction can be equally dangerous for pedestrians. Someone engaged in conversation or looking down at their phone might step out into traffic at the wrong time, with tragic results. Pedestrians need to focus on their surroundings to reduce their risk of a collision with a vehicle.
Intoxication
Driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs is both dangerous and illegal. It may seem like a smarter choice to walk home from a party or a bar and to drive home. Unfortunately, a substantial portion of the pedestrians killed in pedestrian crashes were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision. Sometimes, the driver is also under the influence. Being sober enough to monitor one’s surroundings is crucial for pedestrian safety.
Visibility concerns
Drivers who strike pedestrians often claim afterward that they didn’t see the person walking. Many of the worst pedestrian collisions reported take place after the sun sets or during transitional times of the day. Pedestrians can improve their chances of traveling safely by wearing visibility gear, traveling in illuminated areas and limiting how frequently they walk when it is dark outside.
If pedestrians do get struck by vehicles, they may have grounds for an insurance claim or possibly a personal injury lawsuit. Learning more about what contributes to pedestrian risk and one’s rights after a crash may help people who regularly walk in the Twin Cities area to better safeguard their interests.