Car and Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Throughout 2013, a pedestrian was injured in a car-related accident about every eight minutes. Every two hours, someone was fatally struck by a car.
One of the leading contributors to pedestrian and vehicle collisions is a distraction. Statistics indicate that both drivers and pedestrians often get distracted, and this distraction can quickly cause an accident.
Read on to learn more about what causes driver and pedestrian distraction.
What Typically Distracts Drivers on the Road?
Once you’ve been driving for years, it’s really easy to become comfortable and complacent. Unfortunately, this feeling can lead to distractions. Here’s a list of the most common things that distract drivers from the road:
- Cellphones
- Food, drinks or smoking
- Navigation systems
- Music controls
- Other people
- Emotional distress
- Fatigue
These all-too-common activities prevent the driver from fully focusing on the road, potential hazards and other traffic. In the worst situations, this distraction can lead to a collision. When vehicles collide with pedestrians, the injuries are usually severe.
Are Pedestrians Distracted?
Maybe it’s a human tendency to have a short attention span because experts estimate that about 60 percent of pedestrians are also distracted. For the most part, pedestrians don’t really pay too much attention to the traffic and lights around them.
Sadly, many pedestrians who have gotten injured in an accident reported being distracted by their cell phone when they were hit. Never use a cell phone while walking into traffic or across the road.
It’s also fairly common for pedestrians to be listening to music on their headphones. Unfortunately, this action can prevent the person from hearing incoming cars.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, it’s possible that a distracted pedestrian could be deemed partially negligent. If the victim sustained injuries, then their compensation award may be reduced based on their own carelessness.
Distracted Driving and Pedestrian Accidents
Both the driver and the pedestrian’s tendency to get distracted leads to pedestrian accidents. When both parties are distracted, the outcome can be tragic. It’s important for everyone to remain vigilant when driving or when around vehicles. Suffering injuries due to a distraction aren’t worth it. Save the texts, music, phone calls and other activities for when you’re somewhere safer.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your distracted driving accident Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a distracted driving accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphey represent clients injured because of distracted driving accidents in Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Pompano Beach, Plantation, and throughout Florida. Call 954-525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, as well as offices in Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Pompano Beach, Plantation.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.