Drivers must always be wary of pedestrians. A brief distraction can lead to a very serious Accident. There are cases where a driver is not liable for a Pedestrian accident but most of the time they do take the blame for any injuries a pedestrian suffers. If you have been the victim of a pedestrian accident, you need to talk to a New Bedford pedestrian accident lawyer to help you file a claim against a negligent driver.

Accidents are traumatic events and can lead to extensive psychological and physical injuries. It is important for you to know when you can file a bicycle accident claim against a negligent driver.

What are the most common injuries in a pedestrian accident?

The difference in size between a car and a human being is huge which is why a pedestrian accident can result in a  serious injury. Below are some of the injuries caused by a pedestrian accident

• Death
• Emotional trauma
• Soft tissue injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injury

Some of these injuries can change your life forever with day-to-day difficulties and never-ending medical expenses. It is therefore important to know whether the person who is responsible for your accident can be held accountable for the accident.

How can you hold a driver liable for a pedestrian accident?

Most pedestrian accidents are caused by drivers who fail to obey traffic rules. In Massachusetts, there is a right-of-way law and different streets have signs indicating the right of way. Both drivers and pedestrians need to pay attention to these signs to avoid getting into accidents. However, it’s impossible to eliminate all forms of distracted driving and it is up to you to know what to look out for. Below are some of the causes of pedestrian accidents in New Bedford

Over-speeding

Records show that over-speeding led to approximately 9,500 deaths in 2019. There are a lot of reasons as to why people over-speed and some of them include being in a rush, being late, or simply being negligent. Over-speeding is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents in New Bedford because it is hard for a driver to hit the brakes on time before hitting a pedestrian.

Distracted driving 

Distractions such as texting, eating, fiddling with the radio, and taking calls among many others can divert your attention from what’s in front of you on the road. This can lead to some serious consequences especially when the driver cannot see a pedestrian crossing.

The driver did not yield to a pedestrian 

In the state of Massachusetts, cars are obligated to yield to pedestrians legally crossing the street. The law states that if you are in a crosswalk cars on that half of the road should allow you to cross. It also requires drivers to stop if a pedestrian is within 10 ft of that half of the road. They also cannot overtake other cars that are yielding to a crossing pedestrian. If the driver violates any of these rules they will be punished by a fine of not more than $200.

Hitting a pedestrian in a parking lot

Cramped parking lots can be risky places for pedestrians because everyone is driving around trying to find a parking spot and it’s easy for pedestrians to get caught in the crossfire. All it takes is a driver to hit a pedestrian while they are racing to secure a parking spot or to simply hit a pedestrian while they are pulling out of a parking space. As a pedestrian, you have to be diligent at the parking lot and drivers must also be focused on preventing pedestrian accidents from happening.

• Can A Pedestrian Be At Fault In A Car Pedestrian Accident in New Bedford

Drunk driving

Driving under the influence impairs cognitive functioning and vision. Driving under the influence also puts the driver at risk.

• How to Gather Evidence For an Injury Claim Against a Drunk Driver

Contact Kevin P Landry Law Offices about your pedestrian accident claim

If you or a loved one were involved in a pedestrian accident our New Bedford pedestrian accident lawyers can get you the compensation you need to cover your pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses. We specialize in a variety of personal injury cases and we handle pedestrian accidents regularly. Our pedestrian accident lawyer in New Bedford knows exactly what to do on your behalf to maximize the potential for compensation. Contact us today at 508-999-0800 to schedule your free initial consultation.