The dangers of distracted pedestrians

In general, auto accidents can be quite dangerous, and they can be even worse with the involvement of pedestrians. Statistics show a rise in the number of pedestrian accidents over the years.

Some lawmakers and researchers attribute these accident numbers to distracted pedestrians and drivers. People may not be fully aware of the dangers of distracted pedestrians.

Common distractions

Distractions can be quite dangerous. They can delay reaction times, cause people to react unexpectedly, prevent people from reacting at all and more. Regarding traffic, there are a few common pedestrian distractions to mention, including:

• Texting
• Talking
• Listening to music
• Being under the influence

While these are not the only possible distractions, they occur most often and are all preventable. However, it requires the pedestrian to actively engage in safe practices.

Rising cases

Both distracted pedestrians and drivers can lead to pedestrian injuries, especially if both parties prove distracted. Even with new laws, such as the ban on texting while navigating traffic, pedestrians are still engaging in distracting behaviors. This is believed to be a major contributor to the growing pedestrian accident rate.

Accident claims

While some may automatically assume that an auto accident involving a pedestrian is the driver’s fault, that does not always prove to be the case. In fact, if the driver can show pedestrian distraction at the time of the accident, or negligence in accordance with the law, the court may decrease the award amount to the pedestrian. This is due to the Pennsylvania fault laws. Distractions can contribute to accidents; therefore, the pedestrian must account for his or her contribution to the incident.

While it is impossible to remove all distractions while out in society, pedestrians should exercise proper caution. For those pedestrians who exercise proper caution but still become injured in an accident, proving that fact in court can aid in receiving a proper settlement.

This blog entry was posted on behalf of Hof & Reid, LLC, and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the firm or its attorneys. The information presented in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice.