Did Distracted Walking Cause Your Accident?

Posted by Kristen White
8
Apr 16, 2020
192 Views
The most commonly spoken about distraction is that relating to drivers. Distracted drivers behind the wheel often cause accidents with other passenger drivers and pedestrians that potentially lead to severe injuries and even death. However, there are other distractions that can happen on the road not commonly spoken about. This is distracted walking. This article will discuss distracted walking that can lead to liability for injuries.

Distracted walking happens when someone is not paying attention to the road or traffic, has earbuds in, is texting or completely only aware of their phone or device. Such distracting activities that can lead to a pedestrian causing an accident. It must be noted that in some states a distracted walker is held 100% responsible for the accident and he or she is liable for damages to the injured party.

When a person is walking near traffic or by a road, he or she may either focus their attention on a phone or listen through headphones to something. Because of the sound that they are immediately paying attention to, this may cover up the sound of traffic and any other auditory impact the person should hear when walking. Some sounds that are covered up include honking of a horn or a bicycle rider's bells. If there are other items that must be paid attention to such as crosswalk signs or red or green lights, the person may not see these if paying sole attention to the phone or device. It is as a result of these distractions that can cause an accident.

It could happen that the person could walk out into traffic, cross the road when the sign says not to or cause an accident with bikers or bicycle riders. The distraction can also distract drivers to try to avoid the pedestrian that is not paying attention to the road. Such events can end with an injury, property damage or even death. It could result in multiple parties being involved cascading into multiple insurance carriers being involved as well requiring settlements for injured parties.

Generally, distracted walkers that are on the side of the road and stay there are not too much of a concern for drivers. Unfortunately, this is not how distracted walkers remain. Many of such individuals attempt to cross the road, could run into someone or something and caused bicycle riders to crash. If the pedestrian enters traffic it could cause an accident leading to the death and/or in a more serious disaster with multiple vehicles and others involved.

It is important to realize the gravity that distracted walkers have. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  data and reviews show that approximately 5,000 pedestrians die because of accidents involving passenger and commercial vehicles in over 70,000 accidents since 2012. It is clear that pedestrians that are constantly looking at anything other than traffic are suffering injury as a result of not being aware of their surroundings. Due to this, certain cities are putting a ban on texting while walking.

If a distracted walker causes an accident resulting in your injury or damage to your property speak to a lawyer for car accident injury  today.

Resource Box: For experienced motorcycle injury attorneys  the author recommends the Crowson Law Group.
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