When you step off the curb and begin to walk across a roadway you trust that the vehicles also traveling on the road are going to see you and obey the traffic laws put in place to assure your safety. But what happens if that SUV that is supposed to stop doesn’t stop?
If you are the pedestrian, chances are you are going to get the worst of it and end up dealing with the driver’s insurance company. Having a skilled Everett pedestrian accident attorney on your side lets the insurance company know you won’t be settling for less than your claim is worth.
Why Pedestrian Accidents are Increasing
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), pedestrian accidents resulting in fatalities have increased by 50% nationwide since 2009. In 2019, there were 6,590 pedestrian fatalities – the most in more than 30 years – and pedestrians accounted for 17% of all traffic-related deaths.
Several reasons have been offered for the increase in pedestrian accidents.
- People are driving larger vehicles again making pedestrians more vulnerable. Pedestrian fatalities involving SUVs are increasing at a faster rate than those involving passenger vehicles. Pedestrians are 2 times more likely to die if struck by an SUV than by a car.
- More people are crossing on local roads at night where visibility is extremely poor.
Pedestrian fatalities at night have increased 4 times faster than daytime fatalities.
- Driver and/or pedestrian distraction. People are likely paying too much attention to their smart devices and not enough to their surrounding conditions. In Washington, distracted driving accounts for 32% of pedestrian traffic deaths.
Those Most at Risk for a Pedestrian Accident
The following conditions make a pedestrian accident more likely.
- Walking in urban areas
- Being alcohol-impaired – 43% of pedestrian traffic deaths in Washington involve an impaired pedestrian
- Pedestrians ages 55-64
- Walking or crossing on the open road vs. at an intersection
- Walking at night – close to 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur at night
- Walking on a Saturday night
Who is Responsible for Pedestrian Accidents?
The law in Washington makes it clear that both drivers and pedestrians have duties and responsibilities when it comes to using the roadways and interacting with each other.
Drivers need to be on the lookout for and yield the right of way to pedestrians at places where they are legally allowed to be on the roadway as well as places known for high pedestrian traffic. Pedestrians need to obey laws regarding their use of the roadway and take reasonable measures to keep themselves safe.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident you will want to establish that you were not in violation of any pedestrian laws, you acted in regard for your own safety and the accident occurred as a result of the motorist’s failure to yield to your legal right of way.
An Everett pedestrian accident lawyer from Russell & Hill, PLLC can help you prove how the accident happened so that the driver’s insurance company compensates you fairly for your injuries and other related expenses. Contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 425-212-9165.