We are all most vulnerable to car crashes when we’re pedestrians. As a community, we have a right to expect that drivers will pay attention and follow driver safety rules. Unfortunately, drivers don’t always follow those rules.

Why do people crash into pedestrians? 

Most pedestrian crashes are preventable. Drivers typically hit pedestrians because of distracted driving.  Whether a driver is using a cell phone or changing the radio, it doesn’t take much to distract a driver and cause a destructive crash. We all have a right to expect that drivers will pay attention and not cause life changing injuries because of momentary inattention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What kinds of injuries can happen in a pedestrian crash? 

Injuries are also typically more severe in a pedestrian crash. The force of the car throwing you and the impact of you landing can cause broken limbs and ribs and even head injuries. You’re likely to be in the hospital for a few days and then have a long road to recovery.

 

Who are most likely to be hit as a pedestrian? 

Children are vulnerable to pedestrian crashes. How often do you see cars speeding by in your neighborhood with kids playing outside? Some people say that it’s the parents’ fault for not supervising their children or teaching them safety. But if someone is speeding or texting in a neighborhood, how are they going to prevent running into a child if they aren’t following the rules? Personally, I slow down and make sure I’m paying even more attention when driving through my neighborhood. At the end of the day, the best prevention is paying attention and driving at a safe speed.

 

Will the careless driver's insurance company help me? 

Then there’s the insurance company of the careless driver. Insurance companies aren’t there to do the right thing. Their commercials are great and make them seem friendly, but at the end of the day, they are part of a multibillion-dollar industry.  Insurance companies pull all kinds of tricks to minimize how much they will pay. Bullying is the primary tactic. They will claim that it’s the pedestrian’s fault for not doing whatever the insurance company’s excuse of the day is. Insurance companies protect dangerous drivers and rule breakers and don’t care about people who were injured.
 

What do I do if I or someone I know is hit as a pedestrian? 

 

If you or someone you know was injured by a car as a pedestrian, you’re best bet is to hire a lawyer. Lawyers are used to dealing with the insurance company non-sense and can help fight the bullying and belittling tactics used by insurance companies.