Pedestrian accidents are among the deadliest—as resilient as the human body is, it is no match for a two-ton car barreling toward you. As a pedestrian walking near active roadways, you must stay mindful of your surroundings. If you cannot walk on one of the many trails in and around Garland, being vigilant as you walk near motor vehicle traffic could save your life and lessen your injuries if you have a few seconds to dodge a negligent driver.
Careless Motorists Cause Pedestrian Accidents
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, including Garland, ranks dangerously high among other areas of Texas for pedestrian accidents and fatalities. Most are caused by motorists driving negligently—although pedestrians sometimes contribute to accidents, too, such as by jaywalking. Common reasons motorists collide with pedestrians include:
- Distracted driving, using cell phones, eating, drinking, or focusing attention on something other than the road
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which impairs judgment and reaction time
- Speeding in areas with a lot of pedestrians
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Ignoring pedestrians in crosswalks
When an injured pedestrian seeks compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit, the negligence of the motorist must be proven. When motorists get behind the wheel, they implicitly agree to drive safely like a reasonably prudent person in a similar situation would. If they act below that standard by breaking any traffic law, their actions fall below the duty of care. If they cause an accident and a pedestrian is hurt, they can be required to compensate the pedestrian for physical, emotional, and financial losses.
