GREENVILLE PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS LAWYER

It can be daunting to think about how such an accident could occur and what it may mean for your future. Why did this happen? There are many reasons this can happen, and often, as Greenville pedestrian accident attorneys, we struggle to understand what happens or why, just as you do. Yet, there are some common reasons for these incidents to occur, including the following.

Distracted driving

One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents is distracted driving. A person may be:

• Looking at their phone
• Talking to someone else in the car and not paying attention to what was happening around them
• Eating
• Texting
• Tired or falling asleep behind the wheel

A driver is responsible for the actions of their vehicle no matter what type of incidents are occurring in the car or around them. Distracted driving is a common cause, but it is not an excuse or a defense.

Failure to yield

Failure to yield to a pedestrian occurs when the person walking has the right of way, but the driver does not stop. For example, they may continue on their turn even though there is someone in the crosswalk. Failure to yield is a common cause of accidents like this because even at a typically slower speed, the injuries can be devastating.

Speeding

Speeding, or driving above the posted speed limit, is illegal. It is also very common in many areas of Greenville as people go from one task to the next throughout the day. Yet, speeding is also a common cause of accidents. A driver that is going over the speed limit may not have enough time to stop when a person is in a crosswalk or on the roadway.

Impaired driving

Impaired driving occurs when a person is unable to operate a vehicle in a safe manner due to impairment such as from medications, illicit drugs, or alcohol. In some situations, these products can make it difficult for a person to stop quickly or react to changing circumstances in a safe and effective manner. Impaired driving is just as dangerous as falling asleep at the wheel in some situations.

Reckless driving

Reckless driving can include speeding but includes other types of actions as well. That may include drag racing, running a red light, failing to stop at a stop sign, or otherwise being aggressive behind the wheel. Road rage can also be a cause of this type of incident, especially on higher-speed roadways or in dense traffic situations.

Failure to observe weather conditions

Weather conditions play a role in how a vehicle operates when the brake is stepped on. For example, rain, snow, sleet, ice, and even windstorms can make it harder for a person to control their vehicle, making it hard to prevent a pedestrian accident. Driving through a thunderstorm when it’s hard to see well could also cause an accident.

Poorly designed infrastructure

In some situations, it is not the driver that is just responsible but also the city or transportation department if there is infrastructure that puts pedestrians at risk. For example, if there are high walls or landscaping that limits the view of drivers turning the corner because they cannot easily see past them at the driver, that can create a dangerous place for a person to walk.

Inadequate driver training

A new driver could also be responsible for mistakes they make that put others at risk. Inadequate driver training can also apply to those driving trucks or specialized vehicles that require more skill or unique skill to operate. Inadequate driver training may cause a person not to know they have to stop for a person in the crosswalk, for example.

Negligent behavior

There are various situations that can fall under negligent behavior. That could include improper turning, rideshare drivers who fail to obey the law, or those who engage in other behavior that is risky. Negligent behavior means that the driver should have known that their actions could put others at risk and still engage in it.