Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have prevalently conducted studies and research on the dangers that face pedestrians. In both of the organizations’ work, it has been revealed that certain populations are more at risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident including children, older individuals who are over the age of 65, and those who are alcohol-impaired. Though certain sub-categories are more at risk for being involved in a pedestrian accident, there are also other factors such as location that can influence the likelihood of a pedestrian accident occurring.
Factors Behind a Pedestrian Accident
It is important to understand the hazards and high-risks that are more likely to result in a pedestrian accident. The factors that contribute to a pedestrian crash include the physical location such as city, rural area, two lane road, or highway; when the accident occurs such as time of day and day of week; precipitating events such as road obstructions or inclement weather; and the previously mentioned characteristics of the involved parties, such as age and gender.1
Where and when an accident occurs are two of the largest factors. Most frequently a pedestrian crash will occur in an urban area, because there is an increased volume of both traffic and pedestrian activity.2 Non-fatal pedestrian accidents are also more likely to occur during peak morning and afternoon periods, while fatal pedestrian crashes occur later in the day after 5 PM.3
Pedestrian Accident Occurring at an Intersection
An intersection is the point at which two or more roads meet or cross. Intersections involve the co-mingling of pedestrians as well as vehicle traffic. Due to this co-mingling relationship, pedestrian passage is often aided by the use of traffic or crosswalk signals. Despite the use of pedestrian aids, intersections typically are the source of many pedestrian accidents. Some of the common causes of a pedestrian accident at an intersection includes vehicles that run red lights or stop signs, a failure to yield, speeding in order to make a light prior to turning red, left or right turns made against the crossing signal, crossing without a signal, or drivers or pedestrians who are intoxicated. In each of these situations the accident is the result of human or behavioral error, however, intersections due to their design, engineering, or construction may be directly responsible for pedestrian accident. For instance, if an intersection is not well maintained allowing potholes or broken concrete to create a hazard, if the crossing signals provide an inadequate amount of time, or if a wide intersection does not provide any crossing signals or marked crosswalks.
Contact an Experienced St. Louis Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, it is important to discuss the circumstances of your injury with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help to protect your legal rights and interests. To contact a personal injury attorney for a free consultation please feel free to call the The Bruning Law Firm trial attorneys at 314-735-8100.
Resources:
- http://safety.transportation.org/htmlguides/peds/types_of_probs.htm
- https://news.transportation.org/Pages/081012pedestrians.aspx
