Unfortunately, pedestrians being hit by vehicles is a very common occurrence. In 2017 alone, over 6,000 pedestrians were reported to be hit by vehicles, and some may have happened in West Virginia. When this type of accident occurs, the law will usually place the fault on the driver. Of course, there are certain occasions when this is not the case, and the pedestrian is at fault. It can be a complex issue that requires a little more information to really understand. Therefore the following includes information about this type of accident and what happens after they occur.
Who’s at risk of being hit?
Although anyone can be involved in a pedestrian accident, the majority (47%) will be because of alcohol. This can involve the driver or pedestrian being under the influence. However, more often than not, it is the pedestrian who was under the influence rather than the driver. In addition to alcohol, those who are elderly or younger than 15 years tend to also be at greater risk of being hit.
Safety tips to keep in mind
While not all accidents can be prevented, you can take a few proactive measures to ensure that the chances of being hit get drastically diminished. First is to make sure that you are following the laws. This means walking on the sidewalk and only crossing the street at designated crosswalks. If you’re walking at night through narrow sidewalks, you may want to wear reflective or bright clothing, such as a reflective vest.
Who’s at fault?
Throughout many states, the pedestrian always has the right-of-way. This means that, even if the person is already walking in the middle of the road, the driver must stop to let them pass by. This is why so many cases go against the driver rather than the pedestrian. However, there have been cases where the driver’s fault is removed due to the pedestrian being under the influence. In rare cases, the city may be at fault. This occurs when traffic lights aren’t working, or the street is not up to code. If you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, then bringing in a personal injury attorney may be your best bet.
