Pedestrian Injuries

Pedestrian Injuries

Pedestrian accidents can often be devastating and sometimes deadly. Even a low-speed impact between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian can result in severe injuries or death.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,987 pedestrians died as a result of traffic crashes in 2016— an increase of 9 percent over the previous year. This is an average of one crash-related pedestrian death in the United States every 1.5 hours. The problem is a growing epidemic, both in Oregon and nationwide.

If you or someone you love were injured as a pedestrian in Oregon, you may be able to recover the full compensation you need for your medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. This may be true even if you were struck as a pedestrian in a parking lot, a construction zone, or under unusual circumstances. Contact Portland pedestrian injury attorney J. Clay McCaslin for a free case evaluation.

CAUSES OF PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS

The leading cause of pedestrian accidents is driver inattention and negligence. Some common examples of driver negligence leading to pedestrian accidents include:

• Speeding or driving too fast for the conditions
• Disobeying traffic signals or stop signs
• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Driving under the influence of recreational or prescription drugs
• Fatigued or drowsy driving
• Failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks
• Failure to check blind spots before backing out of a parking space or driveway
• Failure to stop for school buses
• Failure to use caution in school zones
• Failure to use caution when passing a vehicle that is stopped on the side of the road
• Failure to use caution in construction zones
• Failure to use appropriate caution in hazardous weather conditions
• Failure to use turn signals

PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS CAN HAPPEN ALMOST ANYWHERE

When you think of a pedestrian accident, a person crossing a busy street may be the first scenario that comes to mind. However, pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere that vehicles and pedestrians are both present, even in places where motor vehicles are not allowed or places where pedestrians are unexpected.

You may also be seriously injured as a pedestrian by non-motorized vehicles, such as bicycles or scooters. Even if you were injured as a pedestrian under unusual circumstances, you may still be able to seek compensation for your injuries.

LIABILITY FOR PEDESTRIAN INJURIES

The majority of pedestrian accident claims are against a negligent driver, usually through his or her insurance company. In some cases, however, your claim will be against a property owner or a government entity. For example, if you were injured in a parking lot or parking structure, you may have a premises liability claim against the property owner or business owner. For accidents caused by defectively designed roadways or malfunctioning traffic signals, liability typically falls on the state or local government agency responsible for maintaining the roadway, intersection, or traffic signal.

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident in the greater Portland area or anywhere in northwest Oregon, The Law Office of J. Clay McCaslin is here to help. Please Call Us or Email Us today to schedule your free initial consultation.