While they do not come under the common motor accidents, they can still be very fatal. Pedestrians are at a higher risk of getting into accidents than other road users who are in their vehicles. It is simply because they have no means of protecting themselves from anything.
In Washington, pedestrian accidents are not uncommon, and they occur every now and then. As one of the road users, you should be aware of your rights and how to protect them from getting exploited.
There are times when people hit and run, and in those cases, you must reach out to a good lawyer in Washington and go through further legal process; those who hit and run should be liable for actions and not even bother to stop by and check up on the person who got hit by their vehicle. When the accident takes place, victims may not have an idea of what they should do in order to protect them from being further exploited.
Furthermore, pedestrian accidents are even considered to be more dangerous than other types of excellence that involve two vehicles. You can get in touch with Murphy Trial Law and get the compensation you deserve.
What are the things that you should know about pedestrian accidents?
Here are some of the things that you should be aware of when it comes to pedestrian accidents:
- Considered to be more deadly:
It is seen that in almost 50% of cases, pedestrians end up dying as a result of an accident. It is in comparison to other types of accidents that involve motorcyclists. This is simply because pedestrians have no means of protecting themselves or a shield, for that matter, as other motorists may have.
- People driving at high speed are more likely to cause accidents:
This is no surprise or something that you may not be aware of, that when a person is driving or riding a motorcycle at a higher speed and hits a victim, they are going to cause way more destruction and damage and injuries to the person as compared to when a person would be riding a motorcycle at a lower speed. It also increases the chances of an accident to occur in the first place.
- Alcohol is another reason for pedestrian accidents:
You might already be aware that alcohol is illegal, yet. Many people consume it and drive, increasing the likelihood of accidents, especially involving pedestrians.
In some cases, it might be the pedestrian who has alcohol levels more significant than what is legal, and in other cases, that driver might have the same. In some cases, both pedestrians and the driver have alcohol levels above what is legal.
- In urban areas, the accidents are likely to take place at night:
Another thing is that people living in urban areas are more prone to getting into accidents than those living in rural areas. It is simply because metropolitan areas receive way more traffic than what is seen in rural areas. Another thing about pedestrian accidents is that they are more likely to occur at night because of the less visibility.
Drivers might not be able to see pedestrians walking on the road, and they may end up getting into an accident. Crosswords or sidewalks can help in reducing these types of accidents.
- Young and elderly are at greater risk:
Unfortunately, those who were in their old age or those who were very young were at a greater risk of getting into pedestrian accidents. Almost around 20% of the people who get into pedestrian accidents are people who are above the age of 65.
Protect your rights!
When you get hit by a car or any other vehicle, it is essential that you seek legal assistance after the accident. There is a stipulated time in which you can get compensation for the injuries or damages sustained.
If you reach out for compensation after the statute, you might not get any compensation. Therefore, seek legal assistance as soon as you can.