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Accident Attorney- Pedestrian Accidents
By: lawyer project, Sun May 22nd, 2011
Some studies indicate that over 4000 pedestrians in the U.S. are killed each year. In busy cities, pedestrians have to interact with motor vehicles, bicycles and obstructions in the roadways and not everyone observes, understands or adheres to right-of way rules. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, contact an accident attorney as it is important to act quickly to protect your rights.
An accident between a pedestrian and motor vehicle can happen for a variety of reasons and sometimes it is not clear where the liability lies. It may be the auto insurance company, the city or country, or owner of a private parking lot or street. Consult an accident attorney to determine who is at fault.
The statistics below are eye opening regarding the major circumstances surroundingpedestrian accidents.
Close to 23 percent of pedestrian accidents occur where there is no signal or crosswalk at an intersection
- Almost 22 percent occur at intersections with a signal
- Around 10 percent occur due to the pedestrian or driver crossing against the signal
- Approximately 10 percent occur due to other actions in the roadway
- Roughly 6 percent occur due to a pedestrian emerging unseen from behind a parked car
- About 5 percent occur at a crossing with no signal, but that has a marked cross walk
- Nearly 0.2 percent occur with people getting on or off a bus
- About 71 percent of all pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas, with 64 percent of the total occurring at night
Pedestrians have rights clearly defined in the law, but also have duties. While pedestrians are subject to traffic-control signals just as motor vehicles are, sometimes the signals or not functioning properly or are not in place. Once a person enters a cross walk at an intersection, a driver is required to yield the right-of-way. In addition, a pedestrian has the right-of-way when a sidewalk crosses alleyways, driveways or even entrances to a building. However, when a pedestrian chooses to cross at unmarked points of the roadway, vehicles have the right away.
In California, which is a comparative negligence state, if you or your child is deemed at least partially at fault, you may still have a case for financial damages related to the percentage that was the property owner's or driver's liability. Contact an experienced accident attorney to gather evidence in your case, consult with reconstruction and medical specialists, and purse compensation for your injuries and other losses.
About the Author:
The Elite Lawyer Project was developed by a group of business people with a quest to identify great personal injury attorneys, one per market, to help the personal injury victim wade through the lawyer selection process.
