Pedestrians and drivers share a duty of care to act lawfully and responsibly in order to minimize the risk of a collision. Unfortunately, there are new examples every day of drivers putting themselves and other people in harm’s way through unlawful behavior. If you were injured while walking because a driver committed a traffic offense, you may be able to use that offense as grounds for a civil lawsuit.
In addition to expressly illegal actions such as speeding and drunk driving, there are many other common causes of pedestrian accidents in Beaumont, TX that could qualify as legally actionable negligence. A pedestrian accident attorney from Schechter, Shaffer & Harris could help you take civil action if your incident involved any of the following negligent behavior.
Distracted Driving
Whether they are looking at their phones instead of the road, searching for something in the passenger seat, or talking to someone else in the vehicle, a distracted driver is a dangerous driver. In particular, drivers who text while stopped at stop lights or stop signs commonly cause crashes in Beaumont by accelerating forward without checking for pedestrians in the crosswalk directly ahead of them.
Failing To Check Blind Spots
Another frequent reason for Beaumont pedestrian accidents is drivers forgetting to check their blind spots before turning across crosswalks, which could result in striking a pedestrian who was lawfully using that crosswalk. Likewise, drivers who advance too quickly toward the exits of side streets and alleyways may be unable to see pedestrians coming in from either side of that exit until it is too late to avoid a high-speed collision.
Lack of Driving Experience
Teenage drivers and others who are new to operating motor vehicles are not necessarily less responsible than other drivers, but it is a statistical fact that inexperienced drivers tend to get in more wrecks than experienced ones do. New drivers may often forget to watch out for people walking near them before making a turn or pulling out of a parking space, which could lead to a collision.
Not Slowing Down Near Pedestrians
Under state law, drivers are expected to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks. This applies not only when people are crossing with an electronic walk signal but also when they are using uncontrolled crosswalks and are either on the same half of the roadway as the driver or soon will be. Drivers who fail to abide by this rule are a common reason for pedestrian injuries in Beaumont and throughout the state.
Contact a Beaumont Attorney To Learn More About Common Pedestrian Accident Causes
Regardless of the specific irresponsible act that led to you being hit, you will have the legal burden of proving that the driver’s negligence was the main cause of your injuries. Successfully recovering civil compensation may be difficult without support from seasoned legal counsel.
Our personal injury team at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris could provide the custom-tailored legal guidance to obtain the financial restitution you deserve. We are familiar with the common causes of pedestrian accidents in Beaumont and could explain how one of them may justify a legal claim in your situation. Call us today to schedule a consultation and let us assist you with your case.
