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Published On: Thu, Sep 6th, 2018

Misfortune Never Sleeps: 4 Surprising Pedestrian Accident Facts People Don’t Talk About

Is there ever rhyme or reason to an accident? As it turns out, there are a number of circumstances which greatly affect your chances of being involved in a pedestrian accident. The next time you set out on foot, remember these four facts about pedestrian-related injury, and prevent the worst from happening.

photo/Claim Accident Services

  1. The evening is the worst time to walk.

Some might assume that accidents are more likely to occur in the middle of the night, when people are less likely to expect a pedestrian in the street. But midnight and beyond comes with lighter traffic that can reduce your chances of being struck.

Still, morning and evening commute times aren’t the riskiest, either. Overall, the worst time for pedestrians is between the hours of 6 and 9 pm. It really makes you reconsider that post-dinner stroll.

  1. The weekend isn’t your friend, either.

Those looking for some freewheeling weekend fun really should watch more closely for pedestrians. Friday and Saturday in particular are those times when needing an accident lawyer who specializes in foot-traffic related injuries becomes more likely.

We all tend to be a little less focused on the weekends. Remember that time off doesn’t mean you can tune out your surroundings. Urbanized areas where people may be partying in the streets are a risk as well, which brings us to the next point.

  1. It isn’t always the driver that’s been drinking.

Much has been made concerning the dangers of drunk driving, and rightly so. However, few people ever stop to consider the dangers of walking while inebriated. In fact, more than a third of pedestrians struck by cars and trucks were buzzed or drunk.

Having a few drinks can definitely make you a little less cautious. You might feel more confident that you can zip across the street before meeting that oncoming car, or you might pay less attention to crosswalk signs and signals.

  1. Technology hurts, but may also help.

One of the most interesting topics concerning pedestrian accidents involves how technology fits into the events. There’s an increase in the number of pedestrians who’ve been struck because they were paying attention to their phones instead of their surroundings. Wearing earbuds and headphones can also reduce your situational awareness, drowning out the sound of that horn.

Similarly, drivers become more dangerous when they text or talk on the phone. But modern car manufacturers are figuring out ways to decrease the chances of pedestrians being fatally struck. Redesigns of a car’s front end can alter how damaging impact is. Also, automatic braking can help reduce impact in the event a pedestrian does pop out in front of a vehicle. In the coming years, we can expect such technologies to improve.

The anatomy of a pedestrian accident is comprised of various factors. It all involves the time of day, the day itself, and the level of impairment or distraction. When you hit the street, make sure you’re staying sharp and exercising extra caution during evening hours, especially if you’re coming from happy hour. The old saying “pedestrians have the right of way” isn’t enough to keep you from becoming involved in an accident.

Author: Laura Brown

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