Motor vehicle drivers have a duty of care to keep an eye out for pedestrians in crosswalks and those walking lawfully on roadways. However, negligent drivers pose the biggest threat to pedestrian safety in the Golden State.
Knowing the types of reckless and careless actions you should be wary of while walking around an urban area can go a long way in reducing your risk of getting hurt through someone else’s misconduct. It can also give you an idea of when you can sue for civil compensation after getting hurt by no fault of your own. With this in mind, below are some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in San Bernardino that the injury attorneys at Valero Law Group have extensive experience taking effective legal action over. Call our team today for a consultation.
Distracted Driving
Drivers who focus on their phones, converse with passengers, or fail to pay attention to the road ahead constitute the most common reasons for pedestrian crashes in San Bernardino. Additionally, drivers who advance through red lights or turn left across active traffic lanes may also cause a collision with a pedestrian, as their attention is elsewhere.
Failure To Check Blind Spots While Turning
Similarly, San Bernardino drivers who do not check their blind spots before turning right across a crosswalk or advancing through one are why collisions with pedestrians commonly occur. Tragically, this risk is particularly pronounced if a young child is walking near such a vehicle since they are harder to see under the front hood or side paneling of a modern truck or SUV.
Failure To Yield
Under California state law, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks, regardless of the direction in which either party is traveling or whether crosswalk signals are operating at either end. Failure to do so is a deceptively common cause of pedestrian collisions throughout San Bernardino and especially so in more suburban areas that do not have as many traffic lights and intersections. Call Valero Law Group to learn more about pedestrian traffic laws.
Lack of Visibility
Finally, while drivers always have a duty to watch out for pedestrians regardless of the road or weather conditions, it can be very difficult for diligent drivers to spot people who walk at night or during inclement weather while wearing dark and non-reflective clothing. Wearing bright clothing, ideally with reflective strips, and walking only during clear daylight hours can reduce the risk of common pedestrian crashes in an urban area such as San Bernardino.
Call a San Bernardino Attorney if You Suffered Injuries in a Pedestrian Accident
The aforementioned causes are far from a comprehensive list of all the ways in which a driver’s misconduct can lead to a pedestrian suffering life-altering injuries. What it illuminates, though, are the various pedestrian accidents that can result in lawsuits and how important the support of a skilled lawyer is to achieving the best possible resolution.
The team at Valero Law Group will come to you when and where you need help, answer calls at any time of the day, and fight tenaciously on your behalf. You owe nothing unless you receive payment first. Call today to learn your options for filing suit over common causes of pedestrian accidents in San Bernardino.