Distracted Driving and Pedestrian Accidents

Taking your attention away from the road and your surroundings can be fatal. Thousands of pedestrians are victims of deadly distracted driving cases every year. Whether it’s responding to a text, drivers talking on the phone, or applying makeup—it can always wait. Yet countless drivers allow themselves to be distracted while operating a vehicle, putting other drivers and pedestrians at risk.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Anything that would cause a driver to divert their attention from driving may constitute a distraction. Talking on the phone, messing with the stereo, not having your hands on the steering wheel, and more all count as distracting driving infractions. Although some of these distractions may seem ordinary, they can lead to fatal injuries. Driving safely means having your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel until you’ve reached your destination.

Why Distracted Driving Is a Serious Problem

Doing anything besides staying engaged while driving can exponentially increase your chances of causing an accident. Imagine a pedestrian or cyclist starts crossing the road without looking both ways. It’s much harder to react to potential dangers or obstructions on the road when your eyes are off the road or hands are off the steering wheel.

Common Types of Distracted Driving

1. Manual Distractions—These can be anything that causes a driver to take one or both hands off of the wheel. Taking a bite of food, a sip of your drink, or looking for something in a purse takes your attention away from the road. Before getting in the car or driving, do what you need to get ready and comfortable. It’s an easy way to avoid the consequences of distracted driving.
2. Visual Distractions—Taking your eyes off the road to locate an item you dropped or checking the directions on your GPS can easily lead to an accident. These kinds of visual distractions may only divert your attention for a few seconds—but that’s all it takes to lead to a mishap. Avoid visual distractions by ignoring dropped or spilled items until it’s safe to search. For GPS issues, drive with a co-pilot or wait until it’s safe to look.
3. Cognitive Distractions—Competent driving involves more than just keeping your eyes and hands engaged. Your mind needs to be focused on the road ahead. This has become a major issue with new advances in technology that allow drivers to dictate text messages and communicate hands-free. If you can’t devote your complete focus to the road, pull over when safe to take care of phone calls and texts.

Distracted Driving Impacts Thousands of Americans Each Year

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 3,000 people lost their lives to distracted drivers in 2020. These senseless tragedies can be avoided by staying focused on driving and limiting anything that could be a distraction. Yet so many people make the mistake of thinking they won’t get caught or there won’t be consequences.

Why Distracted Driving Poses a Special Risk to Pedestrians

Unlike being in a car that has safety features like an airbag, pedestrians don’t have something to ease the impact of a collision. A vehicle striking a pedestrian will likely cause an injury that could prove to be fatal. Even if it’s not fatal, injuries can be cause for filing a personal injury claim. Extensive medical bills, lost wages, and more could all be on the table.

Where Do Pedestrians Get Hit the Most?

An accident can occur anywhere pedestrians are present. You should always be aware of the presence of pedestrians while operating a vehicle. Pedestrian accidents can happen in parking lots, bus stops, sidewalks, crosswalks, and more. However, the NHTSA reported that the majority of fatal pedestrian accidents occurred in the following areas:

• In urban settings (82%)
• Outside of intersections (73%)
• In the dark (80%)

Get a Free Case Review

Were you or a loved one recently injured by a distracted driver? Then you need to contact an Arizona pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. Shapiro Law Team attorneys can help ensure you secure the maximum compensation for your injuries. Your pain and suffering should not go unanswered. Our attorneys know how quickly an accident can upend your life. They’ll fight tooth and nail to ensure the insurance company doesn’t try to minimize your claim.

If you have questions about your claim call, us at (480) 571-2473 to request a free consultation. Our lines are open 24/7; don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll help in any way we can.