Auto Pedestrian Accidents Continue to Climb: UPDATED 2019

It’s no secret to Colorado residents that pedestrian fatalities are a significant issue facing the state. In 2017 5,977 auto-pedestrian accidents resulted in death. This number dropped slightly in 2018 with an expected spike to occur in 2019.

We live in a world full of distractions, but as a pedestrian, you should never have to worry about getting hit by a distracted driver. We should be able to walk freely and openly while sharing the road with motorists.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

According to the IIHS, 13% of pedestrian collisions are the result of motorists driving under the influence.

The hardest part about a pedestrian accident case is putting a dollar sign on the life of a loved one — someone injured in an auto-pedestrian accident in Ft. Collins, Colorado or surrounding Denver Metro areas should contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer to discuss their case.

Main Causes of Auto-Pedestrian Accidents

The misconception is that drivers are always responsible for pedestrian fatalities, but that is not the case. A lot of the time pedestrian actions trigger an accident. Here are some of the most common causes of auto-pedestrian accidents.

1.   Jaywalking

Urban areas where there are many cars parked on both sides of the street, one of the most dangerous actions pedestrians take is walking out into the road from behind a car. When a motorist is not expecting a pedestrian is when an accident is most likely to take place.

2. Left Turns

Three times more people get hit by cars turning left than right. Experts believe this is due to the need to cross the intersection, so drivers are more distracted when turning left than right. Plus, you can anticipate the right turn as a pedestrian.

3. Electronics

Both pedestrians and motorists are to blame for distractions involving cell phones and infotainment centers in cars. According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, cell phone use resulted in 32,755 emergency room visits in 2016.

4. Alcohol

Drinking and driving is an obvious problem in the country and one we will likely not escape anytime soon. Alcohol is responsible for one drunk driving accident every 48 minutes in the US.

5.  Dark Clothing

Fifty percent of all auto-pedestrian accidents occur on the weekend with 70 percent of those happening at night. Pedestrians wearing dark clothing leave themselves wide open to an accident because they are much more difficult to spot. The risk of fatality increases dramatically in rural areas where there are fewer street lights and lower traffic. When there are fewer distractions on the road, the motorist is more likely to ignore obstructions.

How to Stay Safe as a Pedestrian

There are many ways to stay safe when walking on the streets and sidewalks. It’s not difficult to prevent an auto-pedestrian accident if we deploy some smart thinking and a bit of common sense.

Avoid Distractions – It sounds obvious, but distractions are everywhere, and they can occur when you least expect it. Someone can yell to a pedestrian from across the street, and they can instantly become distracted even if they’re doing their best to prevent it. The best way to stay safe as a pedestrian is to avoid cell phone use and do not wear headphones when walking on the sidewalks.

Follow the rules – Understanding and following traffic rules and signals can be the difference between life and death. Pedestrians need to anticipate everything a motorist might do before they do it. Follow the rules and never rush through traffic.

Stay Visible – As previously mentioned, a large percentage of pedestrian accidents occur at night, so it’s important always to remain visible. Wear light-colored clothing and walk in well-lit areas whenever possible.

Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Ft. Collins, Colorado

Are you in need of a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Colorado? If you have been injured in an auto-pedestrian accident, you need someone experienced in this type of law to help get you the justice you deserve.  Contact Alhasoon, Glidden & Glidden today for a free consultation.