Pedestrian accidents are a problem that has become increasingly common on the streets of Houston. Along with the growth of car culture, people have more opportunities to travel more freely and spend more time walking in public areas. This has resulted in a massive increase in pedestrian accidents, which cost hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on average.
If you are involved in a pedestrian accident, it is recommended to consult a Houston pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible to ensure that you receive deserving compensation. A pedestrian accident attorney can help you determine whether you are eligible to receive compensation.
Here are some of the main causes of pedestrian accidents in Houston.
1. Speeding
Speeding is a major cause of pedestrian accidents for a number of reasons. For one thing, it may prevent drivers from responding in time to avoid hitting pedestrians who come out of nowhere or appear suddenly from unexpected directions. From the perspective of the pedestrian, speeding cars are harder to anticipate, which may result in the pedestrian not paying enough attention to the car and getting hit accidentally.
2. Running red lights
Almost half of all pedestrian accidents involve cars that are running red lights. Many pedestrians are not aware of this, so they may be taken by surprise when cars do not stop for them. This can result in the pedestrian getting hit by the car as it passes through the crosswalk, which is typically located at an intersection. Drivers should be mindful of pedestrians when turning right on red and yellow lights, as well as when making left turns at intersections.
3. Failure to yield
This refers to drivers who do not yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Sometimes, pedestrians may wait too long before crossing the street and drivers may not realize they are there. If they decide to stop the car, the driver may not even yield the right of way to the pedestrian. Another reason why this is a common cause of pedestrian accidents is that many pedestrians do not know how to navigate around traffic signals, so they sometimes expect cars to stop for them.
4. Distracted driving
Distracted driving, or driving while using a phone, is another common cause of pedestrian accidents. Although it is not illegal in and of itself, drivers are expected to be mindful of pedestrians while they are driving. When they use their phones, they should be aware that they may become distracted and perhaps not stop in time if someone starts walking in front of them suddenly.
To read more on topics like this, check out the Lifestyle category
Leave a Reply