If you live in Riverside, Los Angeles, or elsewhere in California, you have probably witnessed a pedestrian accident or two in your lifetime, or worse, have become a victim of one.
Many pedestrian accidents occur because the pedestrian is jaywalking (illegally crossing the street), but the vast majority of motor vehicle crashes involving a pedestrian occur through no fault of the pedestrian.
Undoubtedly, getting around Riverside or Los Angeles on your feet can get you plenty of physical activity in combination with your daily dose of fresh air, but being a pedestrian in an urban area can also be extremely dangerous.
“Failure to yield the right of way is just as dangerous as any of the following driver behaviors that put California pedestrians at risk of injury or death when crossing the street and walking on a sidewalk,” says our pedestrian accident attorney Riverside from Law Offices of Howard Kornberg.
5 dangerous driver behaviors that cause pedestrian accidents
So let’s take a minute and review some of the most dangerous driver behaviors that can lead to pedestrian accidents in Riverside, Los Angeles, and all across California.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: Did you know that a staggering almost half of all fatal pedestrian accidents (48 percent) involve alcohol? So yeah, the risk of encountering a drunk driver when crossing the street or intersection in Riverside is quite high, especially after 10 pm (even more so on Friday and Saturday).
- Drowsy driving: Speaking of pedestrian accidents that occur after 10 pm… Fatigue, drowsiness, and lack of sleep are some of the leading causes of crashes involving a pedestrian. As you may have guessed, the vast majority of these accidents occur around midnight or later.
- Distracted driving How do car drivers expect to see pedestrians, let alone stop their vehicles in time to avoid a collision, when sending texts, eating food, engaging in other distracting activities, or otherwise taking their eyes off the road while driving?
- Speeding and running red lights: Speed limits exist for a reason, and this reason is mostly to keep pedestrians safe and reduce the risk of car and pedestrian accidents. When a car is traveling at a speed above the legally allowed limit, the driver has little to no time to react to a pedestrian crossing the street or intersection. Running red lights is a dangerous driver behavior for obvious reasons.
- Aggressive and reckless driving: Driving in an aggressive or reckless manner increases the risk of causing a pedestrian accident by a lot. So drivers who have a hard time calming down or keeping their heads cool when driving are more likely to hit pedestrians.
As you may have noticed by now, as a pedestrian, there is not much you can do to avoid a pedestrian accident caused by any of the above driver behaviors.
“The only way to ensure your own safety and prevent a collision is to follow traffic rules and remain vigilant at all times,” advises our experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. And if you have already suffered harm in a pedestrian accident, it is highly advised to speak to a skilled attorney.
While these dangerous driver behaviors may seem obvious, many pedestrians who have been injured due to any of the above require legal help from a Riverside pedestrian accident attorney to seek compensation for their medical expenses, loss of income, and other damages suffered in the accident.
Speak to our lawyers from the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg about your particular case. Schedule a free consultation by calling 310-997-0904 today.
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