Posted on Wednesday, January 25th, 2017 at 4:23 am
You hear a lot about distracted driving these days. One of the most common forms of distracted driving is texting or talking on a cell phone while driving. However, performing other tasks behind the wheel, such as eating, grooming, reading, or adjusting vehicle settings can cause horrific motor vehicle accidents. Driving is not the only time that being distracted can be extremely dangerous. For example, walking near traffic is not the time to be looking at your cell phone, but many people do it every day.
As you walk out in the street or into an intersection, you increase the risk of injury if you aren’t paying attention to your surroundings. You may walk into a vehicle or a solid object, which would cause you to fall or be injured. Your failure to pay attention to your surroundings could be used against you if you are involved in a pedestrian accident. You must be careful to protect your life and health as well as your legal right to file a claim against a driver for a pedestrian accident.
The Danger of Distraction
The trend of reading text messages and emails or checking Facebook or Twitter every few minutes has continued to grow as more people own smartphones and depend on technology for communication. Experts have referred to this phenomenon as a major public health concern. People play games on the go, and others use their phone to find a location or check destinations. Whatever the person may be using their phone to do while they are walking, the distraction could be deadly.
When people are looking at their phone, they may miss the change in traffic signals or fail to notice when a car turns at an intersection. If a pedestrian fails to obey the traffic signals, they are at fault and may receive a ticket. If the incident results in an injury, the pedestrian may be barred from receiving compensation or full compensation.
Because a pedestrian is vulnerable because he or she isn’t afforded the safety of being inside a vehicle, an accident can be life-threatening or result in permanent, life-altering injuries. Some of the most common injuries in a pedestrian-vehicle accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Friction burns
In many cases, a person needs emergency medical help after a pedestrian-vehicle accident. If the injuries are serious, he or she may require hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, special medical equipment, and home medical and personal care. Expenses quickly add up and often include lost time at work. The person may have difficulty paying living expenses without a regular income.
Determining Liability in A Pedestrian-Vehicle Accident
The pedestrian who causes an accident because of distracted walking is not the only one who can get hurt. The driver may swerve and to avoid hitting the pedestrian, which can result in a collision with another vehicle. The pedestrian may be at fault and may be held liable for the injuries to the other parties. At times, it isn’t easy to determine fault in a pedestrian-vehicle accident. It’s important to hire a Sacramento pedestrian accident attorney to ensure you receive full compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian-vehicle accident, call our office to schedule a free consultation with a Sacramento pedestrian accident attorney. You can reach the Tiemann Law Firm by calling (916) 999-9000 or by chatting with a representative on our website.
