By Mya Finn
Auto accidents involving pedestrians can be catastrophic or physically disabling because they are not a match for a vehicle. You may be shocked to know that pedestrians or bicyclists are 11 times more likely to get hurt or killed in a traffic crash than a motorist.
Knoxville region in Tennessee reports a high number of road accidents involving pedestrians every year. In 2019, nearly 60% of the regional bicycle or pedestrian crashes occurred in Knoxville, followed by Alcoa. Every year, Tennessee has an average of 1400-1500 pedestrian accidents, and Knoxville county ranks third highest among them.
Many victims of these accidents suffer catastrophic injuries resulting in high medical bills. With the help of experienced personal injury attorneys in Knoxville, TN, they can fight their case and claim reasonable compensation after the accident.
The Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
In the pedestrian danger index by the Transportation for America study, Knoxville has an index rating of 54.5, showing the risk of walking around the city. The most common reasons for crashes with pedestrians are distracted driving, drunk driving, road rage, or over-speeding by the drivers.
Sometimes, pedestrian actions like walking along the roadside, texting while walking, being drunk, jaywalking, or failing to follow traffic signals can also result in a catastrophic road accident.
In Knoxville, 42% of pedestrian crashes happen when drivers fail to yield while turning on a road. About 24% of pedestrians are hit when walking in intersections without dedicated pedestrian spaces or sidewalks.
How to Determine the Fault in a Pedestrian Accident
When a driver crashes into a pedestrian with a car, it isn’t always their fault. Both drivers and pedestrians have to follow the proper traffic rules and responsibilities on the roads.
Hence, it is critical to assess the circumstances leading to an accident for determining the person at fault. It involves gathering data, evidence, and witness testimonies to reveal the actual facts of the event.
What are the Driver’s Responsibilities on the Roads?
When sharing the roads with pedestrians or coming across pedestrians on their route, drivers have to exercise caution and follow the traffic rules imposed by the state. Some intersections may have labelled crosswalks or signals for pedestrians. Yet, the drivers are responsible for yielding or not waiting for the pedestrians to cross the road before making a turn.
Yielding to people walking in the school zones or crossing an intersection in the designated areas is also a driver’s fault. It is significant to avoid collision or driving beyond the permissible speed limits to prevent the consequences of hitting a pedestrian.
Data shows that more pedestrians die in Knoxville than entire states, not only in high-speed intersections like I-275 or I-40 but also on the streets near the University of Tennessee. In all these cases, economic and physical damages can be catastrophic.
With the help of the best attorneys in Knoxville, TN, victims can prove that the auto driver was at fault and entitled to pay for the damages. That being said, pedestrians must also follow traffic signals and yield to oncoming vehicles to minimize the risk of getting hit.
Catastrophic Injuries Resulting from Pedestrian Accidents
Catastrophic or physically disabling injuries have long-term effects. They can hamper the quality of life, finances, family circumstances, and health of the victim. Pedestrian crashes can cause brain injuries, disfigurement, head trauma, nerve damage, spinal cord injury, loss of appendages, or burn injuries.
Injuries like these can force a person permanently out of work, leaving them with no income source or ability to support their family. They may need compensation or disability benefits via social security to sustain the financial aftermaths of accidents. Since you need to form a strong case proving your innocence in the crash, you need highly experienced attorneys in Knoxville, TN.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
If, unfortunately, you or someone you know gets injured in a pedestrian accident, follow these steps to ensure a better recovery.
- Call 911 or someone else as soon as you can.
- Get immediate medical attention to avoid severe injuries or long-term physical damages.
- Report the accident to your insurer and exchange insurance information.
- Contact a personal injury attorney to fight your case if the driver tries to place you at fault, or your insurer refuses to pay your claims.
Since the car crash laws in Tennessee have a short statute of limitations, it allows three years for property damage and one year for personal injury lawsuits. You can collect damages for lost wages, pain, and medical expenses to recover from this ordeal. For pursuing any legal action related to reimbursement of financial losses, get in touch with a trusted lawyer in Knoxville to prepare the paperwork, and discuss your options.
