Why Are Pedestrian Accidents Commonly Fatal?

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According to the Maryland Highway Safety Office, approximately 125 pedestrians have been killed in fatal accidents each year. This is, evidently, an alarming rate. If you or a loved one has been made just another number tacked onto this statistic, you must fight back in the most possibly effective way: via legal action. Read on to discover why pedestrian accidents commonly have fatal results and how a seasoned St. Mary’s County pedestrian accident lawyer at The Dorsey Law Firm can help make matters right.

Why do pedestrian accidents commonly have fatal results?

Pedestrian accidents result in fatalities more often than other types of auto accidents. The simple explanation is that a pedestrian has little to no protection against a motor vehicle in the event of a crash. They are worse off than bicyclists, who at least may be wearing a helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, etc. This is to say that the sheer size and density of a motor vehicle’s body may be traumatizing for a pedestrian’s body. This may be especially true if the motor vehicle involved is an SUV, a pickup truck, or worse, a commercial truck. But this truth may apply regardless of how fast the motor vehicle was moving upon collision.

What are the leading causes of fatal pedestrian accidents?

There have been many factors leading up to a motor vehicle’s collision with a pedestrian that caused it to be so devastating, and possibly even fatal.

For example, a motor vehicle driver may have experienced hindered visibility during poor inclement weather conditions. So they may not have seen a pedestrian in their path. And once they could see them, the wet or icy road may have made it more difficult to slow down on time. Their speed may have ultimately made the pedestrian’s injuries more fatal.

As another example, a motor vehicle driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol while behind the wheel. So they may have had poor reaction time when spotting a pedestrian in their path. They may have collided with a pedestrian head-on and further failed to react to this collision by hitting the brakes, swerving out of the way, etc. Their delayed responses may have ultimately made the accident all the more catastrophic.

If you have incurred bodily injuries from your pedestrian accident that are likely to result in death, you must file a personal injury claim. But if you lost your loved one to a fatal pedestrian accident, you must fight on their behalf via a wrongful death claim. Either way, you would be holding the negligent motor vehicle driver accountable for their actions.

Still, if you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact a competent Leonardtown personal injury lawyer. Schedule your initial consultation with The Dorsey Law Firm today.