The streets and sidewalks of Lawrenceville have seen many improvements over the last few years in an effort to keep pedestrians safe from pedestrian accidents including traffic calming improvements, sidewalk improvements, and intersection improvements. There are plans to continue making improvements in the future so that resident and visitor pedestrians are safer on the streets. Unfortunately, even government sponsored improvements and protections cannot stop all pedestrian accidents from happening.
Pedestrian Accident Attorneys know that even when pedestrian accidents are not fatal, injuries are often devastating. Injuries from being struck by a motor vehicle may include fractured and broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, and organ damage. These injuries can lead to massive medical expenses, especially when long term medical care is required for severe injuries. And when injuries prohibit pedestrians from being able to work, lost wages compound the serious financial impacts that pedestrian accident victims and their families face.
Factors Frequently Involved in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents occur in any number of ways but some factors that are regularly involved in these accidents are described below.
- Distracted driving – There is more to distracted driving than texting. Part of proving negligence is proving what the driver was doing at the time of the accident. It is important to examine the driver’s cell phone activity immediately before and at the time of the accident. Examples of other distractions include putting on makeup, eating, or drinking coffee while driving a manual car. While these activities may not be illegal, it does not mean that engaging in that conduct isn’t negligent and a factor in the accident.
- Alcohol and drugs – Alcohol and drugs compromise people’s perception, reaction, and decision making capabilities. Alcohol and drugs are a common factor in pedestrian accidents when either the driver or the pedestrian is under the influence.
- Speeding is another common factor in pedestrian accidents because automobiles are not able to stop as quickly when they are speeding and pedestrians have very little ability to escape an oncoming, speeding motor vehicle.
- Weather conditions impair drivers’ ability to see and when conditions are severe, automobiles are often unable to stop or swerve as well due to snow, rain, or icy roads.
- Violating traffic signs, signals, and crosswalks are also common causes of pedestrian accidents. Common pedestrian accident scenarios include crosswalk accidents caused by a motor vehicle running red lights or rolling red light stops prior to making a right hand turn.
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a pedestrian accident, contact a Lawrenceville Pedestrian Accident Attorney with The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. Our attorneys know that pedestrians are especially vulnerable on the road and if they are injured by a negligent driver, they deserve to be compensated for all of their Personal Injuries and damages including medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering. In cases of pedestrian fatalities, Wrongful Death Claims and/or survival actions may be appropriate in order to compensate close family members and the decedent’s estate.