What Causes a Houston Pedestrian Accident?
Driver error, usually one of the two kinds of errors discussed below, causes 98 percent of the pedestrian accidents in Texas. Defective products, such as defective tires that suddenly and unexpectedly blow out, cause most of the rest. We should point out that pedestrian injuries, which include head injuries and serious broken bones, aren’t “accidents,” at least in most cases. People don’t accidentally drive drunk or run red lights and strike pedestrians.
If the driver’s error was negligence, or a lack of care, a Sugar Land pedestrian accident lawyer can obtain the compensation these victims need and deserve. This compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. We firmly believe that the tortfeasor (negligent driver), not the victim’s insurance companies, should be responsible for this compensation.
Aggressive Driving
At its core, aggressive driving is almost tribal, at least in terms of pedestrian accidents. Deep down, many drivers believe roads are for motor vehicles, not pedestrians.
Since it increases the risk of a collision and the force in a collision, speed is the most dangerous form of aggressive driving, especially as far as pedestrian wrecks are concerned.
Speed increases stopping distance and therefore the risk of a wreck. At 30mph, before the driver can safely stop, most vehicles keep surging forward for six car lengths, even after the driver sees a hazard. Stopping distance triples to eighteen car lengths at 60mph.
The inherent pedestrian accident risk is even higher. Most drivers simply don’t watch for pedestrians, probably because, as mentioned above, they resent their presence on the road.
Speed also multiples the force in a pedestrian accident. At 20mph, the pedestrian fatality percentage is under 10 percent. The death rate skyrockets to 90 percent at speeds above 50mph.
Most pedestrian accidents happen outside intersections and marked crosswalks. Therefore, in most cases, the tortfeasor is traveling at or near top speed at the moment of impact.
Other examples of aggressive driving include turning without looking, ignoring a traffic control device, like a red light, and failure to yield the right-of-way. In Texas, pedestrians could have the right-of-way even if they’re not in marked crosswalks and crossing with the light. The comparative fault doctrine usually applies in these cases as well. So, even if an investigator rules the pedestrian was at fault, a Missouri City personal injury lawyer can still obtain compensation.
Impaired Driving
During pandemic lockdowns, drivers acquired some bad habits, such as speeding and driving while intoxicated. Speeding, which we discussed above, is a factor in about a third of the fatal collisions in Texas. Likewise, alcohol is a factor in about a third of the fatal car wrecks in the Lone Star State.
Many drivers are impaired but not legally intoxicated. Impairment, such as the loss of motor skills and clear judgment, begins with the first sip of alcohol.
Excessive fatigue affects the brain and body the same way as alcohol. In fact, driving after eighteen consecutive awake hours is like driving with a .05 BAC level. That’s above the legal limit for many Texas drivers.
Other kinds of impaired driving include operating a motor vehicle with a serious medical condition, like epilepsy, that could cause a sudden loss of consciousness, and driving while distracted.
Work With a Thorough Fort Bend County Attorney
Injury victims are entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Missouri City, contact the Henrietta Ezeoke Law Firm. We do not charge upfront legal fees in these matters.
Source:
drivethru.gsa.gov/DRIVERSAFETY/DistractedDrivingPosterA.pdf
