In urban areas, motor vehicle drivers must coexist with pedestrians on sidewalks near public roadways and inside crosswalks extending across those roadways. Unfortunately, almost everyone who walks frequently has experienced at least one close call with a driver who was breaking the law, distracted, or acting irresponsibly. In many cases—possibly your own—such incidents have led to severe injuries.
While there is no way to eliminate the risk that another person’s reckless or careless actions might lead to you getting hurt, knowing some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Baton Rouge could be key to reducing your risk of injury. Here are examples of cases our pedestrian accident lawyers at Tomeny | Best have successfully handled.
Distracted Driving
Drivers distracted by their cell phones, a conversation with a passenger, or any number of things are the most common causes of accidents in Baton Rouge pedestrian accidents. It is important to note that if you enter a crosswalk while looking at your phone or otherwise distracted, you may be unable to avoid an oncoming driver or even cause an accident by unwittingly stepping into traffic.
Not Checking Blind Spots
Every motor vehicle has blind spots around it that the driver may not easily see from their position in the driver’s seat, most notably along the sides of the vehicle stretching out from the doors. Whether entering a larger road from a side street or vice versa, drivers who fail to use their mirrors and physically turn their heads to check their blind spots before turning could strike you if you are in a crosswalk. This is a common cause of Baton Rouge pedestrian accidents.
Failure To Yield
In Baton Rouge, failure to yield is also a common cause of pedestrian accidents. Under Louisiana state law, drivers should always yield to pedestrians within crosswalks actively crossing a road. Any driver who strikes you because they failed to follow this law or unlawfully overtook and passed a vehicle that had stopped under this law will likely be considered at fault for that accident. However, you also have a duty to enter crosswalks so that an oncoming driver has time to stop safely.
Lack of Visibility
One of the final common causes of Baton Rouge pedestrian collisions is a driver’s inability to clearly see a pedestrian due to low-light conditions and/or inclement weather. While it is incumbent upon drivers to be extra vigilant around crosswalks with the safety of pedestrians in mind, it is also important for pedestrians to do what they can to make themselves visible to oncoming traffic. For example, you could wear bright-colored clothing and try to avoid walking at night whenever possible.
Contact a Baton Rouge Attorney Today To Pursue Compensation for Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
These examples are far from an exhaustive list of all the possible ways a motor vehicle could end up colliding with and injuring a pedestrian in the Bayou State. That said, what all these common causes of pedestrian accidents in Baton Rouge have in common is that they all involve legally actionable negligence by at least one person involved in the incident.
If you have been hurt in a pedestrian crash recently, our qualified lawyers from Tomeny | Best could help you demand the compensation you deserve for your unjustly suffered harm. Call today for a free consultation.
