It is important for drivers to do all that they can to help keep pedestrians safe on the roadway. When a driver has been negligent and harmed a pedestrian, it is also important for pedestrian victims to understand the legal protections to help hold that driver accountable.
Pedestrian traffic deaths on the rise
When drivers are inattentive or fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians or are speeding they may cause pedestrian accidents. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, pedestrian fatalities account for nearly 1 in 5 traffic fatalities in Texas. During 2020, 4,852 car accidents involved pedestrians, which resulted in 1,211 serious injuries and 731 fatalities. Pedestrian deaths are on the rise and the number of pedestrian fatalities during 2020 was a 9% increase from the previous year.
Ways that drivers can exercise care and help keep pedestrians safe on the roadways include by yielding the right of way to pedestrians especially when turning; stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks; being cautious when passing buses or other vehicles; and by avoiding distractions and putting their phones away.
Pedestrians are vulnerable on the roadways and drivers have a responsibility to exercise care when driving to keep them safe. When drivers are negligent and fail to exercise care for pedestrians, a personal injury claim for damages may be able to help victims with their damages. Pedestrians may suffer physical, financial and emotional harm resulting from the trauma of a pedestrian accident. It is important they get help with their damages which legal protections may be able to help with.
