Pedestrian accidents occur for a wide range of reasons, whether the unsuspecting pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, or the person was distracted and is to blame. In some cases, pedestrian accidents happen because the person is not paying attention, decides to cross the street without a crosswalk, swerves off a sidewalk, or is walking or bicycling against a traffic light. It should be noted that many reported pedestrian accidents occur due to the negligent actions of drivers who are not following proper safety precautions or are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

 As most vehicles weigh 1,500 pounds or more, if they hit a person it can lead to extremely serious injuries, and even death in some cases. While pedestrians are not always free of responsibility when these types of accidents occur, it is fair to say that the large majority of accidents are caused by reckless drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured by a car, motorcycle, or bicycle, you have the right to seek compensation and justice for your injuries and stresses. Here at AMA Law, our team of lawyers are highly trained and equipped to handle these types of cases in Oklahoma. Please contact us today to see what we can do for you if you have sustained any level of injury as a pedestrian.

Most Common Causes

The most common causes of pedestrian accidents are as follows:

• Failure by drivers to check for pedestrians in crosswalks
• Failure by drivers to stop at stop signs or traffic lights
• Texting, messing with the radio, talking on the phone, or other outside driver distractions
• Drivers making turns without paying attention to their surroundings
• Speeding
• Driving under the influence or drugs or alcohol
• Drivers ignoring school zones, crosswalks, and other pedestrian warning signs
• Drivers trying to pass a stopped school bus

 While there is no sole reason that can be attributed to the problem of pedestrian-vehicle accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities, it is important to be aware of some of the most common contributing factors. The combination of distracted drivers and/or pedestrians as well as outside vehicle or driver factors make these types of accidents unfortunately common. In addition, inclement weather conditions, people with limited mobility, people with occupational risks, intoxicated pedestrians and/or drivers, and children and teens are contributing factors to accidents involving cars and people.

Injuries

 The severity of injury will depend upon how fast the vehicle is traveling, the position of the pedestrian when they were hit, the angle of impact of the vehicle upon the pedestrian, the part of the body that first comes in contact with the car, and the design of the vehicle. The most common types of injuries related to vehicle-pedestrian accidents include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Trauma to the legs and pelvis
• Tibial fractures
• Knee ligament injuries

If you or a loved one has been involved in a vehicle-pedestrian accident, please contact AMA Law today so we can help guide you through the legal process. We understand how difficult these types of situations can be, and we are dedicated to ensuring justice is met.