Who Is Held Accountable for Pedestrian Accidents?

 Posted on July 07, 2021 in Car Accidents

Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are a daily occurrence in the United States. In fact, in 2019, 6,590 pedestrians were killed in accidents. If you were recently injured in a pedestrian accident, you should consult a personal injury lawyer promptly. Your lawyer can help you determine all the liable parties and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Responsible Parties for Pedestrian Accidents

If you were hit by a vehicle and suffered injuries, it is important to consider all the liable parties. Here are several parties that may be to blame for your injuries.

• The driver - In most cases, a negligent driver is responsible for a pedestrian accident. If a driver, for example, diverts his or her focus to a text message or other distraction, the driver may not notice a pedestrian crossing the street and hit that person. Other examples of negligent driving include speeding, failure to come to a full stop at a stop signal, drifting into the pedestrian lane, and fatigued driving.

• Auto repair shop - An auto shop may be held responsible for a pedestrian accident if the repair work was not performed correctly. For example, if a mechanic failed to fix the brakes correctly and brake failure resulted in an accident, the auto shop may be liable to pay for the pedestrian’s injuries.

• Car manufacturer - In some pedestrian accidents, the car manufacturer is to blame. For instance, if the brakes are effective and cause a driver to hit a pedestrian, the manufacturer may be ordered to pay for the pedestrian’s medical bills, lost wages, and other damages that resulted from the accident.

• The pedestrian - Believe it or not, pedestrians can sometimes be at fault for a pedestrian accident. For example, if a pedestrian jaywalks or crosses against a traffic signal, he or she may be found partially at fault for the accident. However, a pedestrian who is partially at fault for an accident may still be entitled to partial damages. 

How Pedestrians Can Stay Safe

Pedestrian accidents can result in serious injuries for pedestrians. However, you can take steps to stay safe as a pedestrian, such as staying off your smartphone when crossing the street, wearing bright clothes at night, making eye contact with drivers when crossing the road and avoiding drinking alcohol when walking.

Contact a Cook County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident, you should talk to a Barrington personal injury attorney. At Barrington Injury Attorneys, we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call us at 224-900-HURT to schedule a free consultation.

Source: 

https://www.ghsa.org/resources/news-releases/pedestrians20