Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents In Buffalo, New York

Although walking places might seem like a smarter and healthier choice, it is not always the safest option. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,987 pedestrians died as a result of car accidents in 2016. Although those numbers might seem small in relation to the total number of car accidents, the proportion of pedestrians that suffered fatalities or serious injuries compared to occupants of vehicles was drastically higher. While only around 11% of Americans travel by foot, over 13% of pedestrians were involved in vehicle crash-related fatalities.

Accidents involving pedestrians often leave victims with severe injuries and a painful and extensive road to recovery. Victims often suffer excruciating pain, huge financial strains and agonize over whether insurers will compensate them for their losses. These heartbreaking occurrences inspire Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his team of Buffalo, New York pedestrian accident attorneys to strive to provide the highest level of personal injury service to the people of Western New York each and every day to get them the highest compensation possible for their injuries.

Pedestrian accident victims want the most elite personal injury attorney in Buffalo, New York on their side. Since 1999, Jed Dietrich, Esq., a recognized Best Lawyer of America and New York Super Lawyer, has exclusively handled serious personal injury cases. Insurance companies have paid Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his highly experienced, top rated and elite team of pedestrian accident injury lawyers in Buffalo, New York in excess of $175,000,000.00 in verdicts and settlements to compensate his clients for their serious personal injuries. Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. TODAY at (716) 839-3939 for a free consultation if you were seriously injured in a pedestrian accident. We are available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, and there is never a fee unless we win for you!

Most of the fatal and injurious pedestrian crashes result from only a handful of contributing factors—primarily connected to some type of driver distraction. A majority of pedestrian accidents result from drivers failing to take essential safety precautions in order to prevent crashes. In other words, even when pedestrians are following the traffic laws and walking in crosswalks, they are still at risk of being hit by negligent drivers.

The main causes of pedestrian crashes have changed as a result of technology. Although statistics vary throughout the years, the following causes of pedestrian crashes have ranked among the highest year after year:

1. Distracted driving: Distracted driving has dramatically increased in recent years with the rise of smartphones, GPS and Wi-Fi in cars. Many other distractions also work to keep drivers’ eyes off the road, such as eating, talking to passengers, changing music, applying makeup and paying too much attention to surrounding vehicles. In 2015, according to NHTSA crash data, 10% of deadly accidents and 15% of serious accidents resulted from distracted driving. Furthermore, distracted pedestrians are more predisposed to walking into traffic. A study conducted by NYU Langone Medical Center revealed that 8% of New York pedestrian crashes occurred while the victim was using an electronic device.
2. Failure to obey the speed limit: Speeding is one of the most common causes of all vehicle-involved accidents throughout the United States. Obviously, driving in excess of the posted speed limit greatly increases a driver’s chances of being involved in an accident. Studies show that for every 1% increase in a vehicle’s speed, the risk of being in an accident increases by 2%. Further, speeding also increases the risk of being seriously injured or dying. For every 1% increase in speed, the chances of dying increases by approximately 4%.
3. Failure to yield the right-of-way: Nearly all accidents involving failure to yield the right-of-way were the driver’s fault. Drivers roll through stop signs or lights and do not yield to pedestrians that have the right-of-way. Under New York State law, when there is no traffic signal, drivers have to yield to pedestrians, especially if a pedestrian is crossing at a crosswalk.
4. Failure to obey traffic signs and signals: Around 17% of pedestrian accidents involved drivers going through an intersection. While a majority of drivers actually stop, they often fail to notice pedestrians. This failure accounts for roughly 70% of all accidents that occur at intersections with stop signs.
5. Drinking and driving or walking: Drinking and driving is a serious crime and police have a zero-tolerance policy. Consumption of alcohol reduces drivers’ reasoning abilities, reaction times, judgments and overall driving skills. Drivers that have a BAC of .08 or higher can be arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. Drunk pedestrians also significantly contributed to accidents. Almost half of all accidents that resulted in pedestrian fatalities involved alcohol usage by the pedestrian or driver. Approximately 33% of the deadly pedestrian collisions involved a pedestrian with a BAC of .08 or higher.
6. Unmarked crosswalks: Intersections are a common place for pedestrian crashes. Crossing in signaled crosswalks greatly reduces the risk. In cases where intersections lack a signaled crosswalk, it makes it difficult for pedestrians to know when it is safe to cross.
7. Left-hand turns: Left-hand turns commonly lead to crashes because of the increased chance that both drivers and pedestrians are looking in opposite directions. Studies reveal that pedestrians are about three times more likely to get hit by drivers making left-hand turns than those turning right.
8. Wearing dark clothes: Almost 70% of accidents involving pedestrians occur during the nighttime. Drivers are less likely to see pedestrians crossing the street at night, especially if they are wearing dark clothes.

If you, or a loved one, were seriously injured in a pedestrian accident with a car, SUV or truck, contact Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his aggressive, tenacious and hardworking team of Buffalo, New York personal injury lawyers at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. today at (716) 839-3939. We are available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, and there is never a fee unless we WIN for you! Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his team of highly experienced Buffalo, New York pedestrian accident attorneys will battle to obtain the best result for you if you were injured by someone else’s negligence.

Both drivers and pedestrians must be extra mindful and alert of one another, especially in busy areas. Pedestrians who are not walking with reasonable care for their safety can end up in potentially dangerous circumstances.

Below is a list of safety precautions that can help pedestrians stay safe and avoid being involved in pedestrian-vehicle crashes:

1. Do not use a smartphone: While walking around, especially in areas with lots of traffic, it is crucial for pedestrians to put down smartphones and other electronic devices. Eliminating these distractions will help pedestrians pay better attention to their surroundings and watch out for vehicles and other possible dangers.
2. Avoid wearing headphones: Pedestrians should be cautious the entire time they are walking. In order to safely reach their end point, pedestrians have to utilize their senses and avoid all possible dangers. Wearing headphones can prevent pedestrians from hearing approaching vehicles, drivers honking their horns or even the sound of emergency vehicles. If a pedestrian must listen to music while walking, the volume should be turned to a low level and noise cancelling headphones should never be used.
3. Ensure drivers can predict your movements: Drivers should be able to predict the movements of pedestrians. Pedestrians can help with this by following all traffic rules, crossing at crosswalks, as well as obeying all traffic signs and signals.
4. Always use available crosswalks: Always be certain to look both ways before crossing the street. Pedestrians should never assume that drivers will see them and stop. If a vehicle is still approaching, do not walk in front of it. Always remain on the side of the road until the vehicle reaches a complete stop.
5. Walk on the sidewalk: If a sidewalk exists and is accessible, make sure to use it. In cases there are multiple ways to reach the same destination, always choose a way that has an available sidewalk. When no sidewalk exists, pedestrians should walk facing any oncoming vehicles.
6. Never jaywalk: Always use the crosswalk when one is available. In cases where there is no crosswalk, it is still important not to just cross the street at any spot or diagonally. Select a safe crossing spot that is not too close to any busy intersections, steep hills or curves in the road. Also, pedestrians should give themselves ample time to safely cross the street.

If you, or a loved one, were injured in a pedestrian-vehicle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. today at (716) 839-3939. Our team of highly experienced and top rated pedestrian accident injury lawyers in Buffalo, New York fight for the compensation that you deserve for the injuries that you suffered. This may include monetary compensation for your medical bills, lost time from work and pain and suffering.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at (716) 839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!