Accidents involving pedestrians can be extremely dangerous and result in serious injuries or even death. They are, unfortunately, all too common, particularly in urban places like Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is crucial to have a legal understanding of pedestrian accidents if you or a loved one has been involved in one. You might want to call the best pedestrian accident lawyers to help guide you through the complex legal process. The following are the six categories of pedestrian accidents that occur most frequently in Fort Lauderdale.
Vehicle Strikes
The collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian is the kind of pedestrian accident that happens most frequently. Accidents like these happen because the driver was preoccupied, going too fast, or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When an automobile collides with a pedestrian, the force of the collision can be significant, resulting in shattered bones, head injuries, and even fatalities.
Crosswalk Accidents
When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in a crosswalk, the incident is referred to as a crosswalk accident. Accidents of this nature frequently take place when drivers are preoccupied with something else or are just careless and fail to yield to pedestrians. In crosswalks, pedestrians always have the right of way, and motorists who refuse to respect this can put pedestrians in danger of suffering severe injury.
Accidents Occurring at Crossroads
Another prevalent place for pedestrian accidents to take place is at intersections. Accidents like these happen when a car runs a red light or ignores a stop sign, causing it to collide with a pedestrian who is trying to cross the street. When crossing intersections, pedestrians should exercise extreme caution at all times; nevertheless, drivers also have a responsibility to be aware and abide by all applicable rules in order to reduce the likelihood of accidents.
Backover Accidents
Backover incidents occur when a car is reversing and hits a pedestrian while they are in the crosswalk. Accidents like these frequently take place in parking lots and driveways because drivers either aren’t paying attention or neglect to check their blind zones. When backing up, drivers need to exercise an increased level of caution because it might be difficult to spot pedestrians, particularly in the case of large vehicles such as SUVs.
Sidewalk Accidents
Accidents on sidewalks can happen when a vehicle drives onto the sidewalk, putting pedestrians in danger of being struck by a vehicle. These kinds of collisions can be especially hazardous for pedestrians because of the little space they have for movement and the possibility that they won’t be able to evade the vehicle. Accidents on sidewalks can be caused by drivers who either cannot maintain control of their vehicles or fail to pay attention to their surroundings.
Confrontational Collisions
Accidents involving pedestrians might also arise from automobiles colliding head-on with one another. Accidents like these take place when a car swerves into the lane of traffic on the other side of the road and collides with a pedestrian who is on the sidewalk or the shoulder of the road. The force of contact from a head-on collision can be tremendous, making it especially hazardous for pedestrians who are in the path of the accident.
Accidents involving pedestrians take place in a number of different ways, and it is vital to have an understanding of them. It is imperative that you seek medical attention and contact an expert personal injury attorney if you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident. This will allow the attorney to assist you in better understanding your legal rights and alternatives. When you have an understanding of the various categories of pedestrian accidents, you will be better able to take precautions to avoid being involved in one of these mishaps and maintain your safety while strolling on the streets and sidewalks of Fort Lauderdale.