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Whenever someone driving a motor vehicle weighing thousands of pounds collides with an unprotected pedestrian, the latter person will virtually always end up far worse for wear as a result of the accident. Despite that, courts in Pennsylvania do not automatically assume that drivers are always to blame for pedestrian crashes. In fact, they may even assign a share of fault for this sort of crash to the injured pedestrian if that pedestrian did something reckless or careless that increased the risk of a collision.
Knowing a bit in advance about the common causes of pedestrian accidents in Bala Cynwyd and how each may be used as grounds for a civil lawsuit can be helpful. If you have recently been injured while walking due to a driver acting irresponsibly near you, a qualified pedestrian accident attorney from Lowenthal & Abrams can help you build the strongest claim possible and maximize the compensation you ultimately receive.
Failure to Yield Properly
Under Pennsylvania law, drivers must always yield to pedestrians who are inside marked or unmarked crosswalks, and they also must wait behind a driver who has stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk instead of driving around and passing the stopped vehicle. Any driver who collides with a pedestrian because they failed to follow right-of-way laws will almost certainly be considered at fault for the incident in legal terms and, as a result, financially liable for damages stemming from the cause of the accident in Bala Cynwyd.
Not Checking Blind Spots While Turning
In addition to knowing and following right-of-way rules, drivers in Pennsylvania are also expected to know where the blind spots on their vehicle are, meaning the areas they cannot easily see from their natural position in the driver’s seat. Nevertheless, failure to carefully check blind spots before turning right across a crosswalk is one of the leading causes of pedestrian collisions in Bala Cynwyd and throughout the Commonwealth and a perfect example of the kind of negligence behind the wheel that could justify a civil claim.
Speeding and Other Illegal Actions
Even if a driver sees a pedestrian crossing the street ahead of them, they may be unable to avoid running into that pedestrian if they are already traveling above the posted speed limit. Other illegal behaviors like drunk driving and texting behind the wheel also commonly lead to pedestrian crashes around Bala Cynwyd, as any experienced legal professional can attest.
Negligence by Pedestrians
Although drivers are generally the ones to blame for pedestrian wrecks, it is not unheard of for pedestrians to contribute to causing accidents of this accident by doing something negligent themselves, such as stepping out suddenly in front of oncoming traffic or entering a crosswalk without a walk signal. Any amount of comparative fault assigned to a pedestrian along these lines can then be held against them as a proportional reduction from their final damage award or even as a result to deny them compensation altogether.
A Bala Cynwyd Attorney Can Help You Sue Over Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Even though you are confident that someone else is legally at fault for the injuries you sustained as a pedestrian involved in a traffic collision, actually getting the restitution you need from them can be far from simple. Every common cause of pedestrian accidents in Bala Cynwyd listed above—not to mention all the possible causes that are not—can make for uniquely challenging civil claims, especially if you have never pursued a civil lawsuit of any kind in the past.
Assistance from a seasoned lawyer can make all the difference in how effectively you can pursue your claim and what chances you have of securing fair financial compensation. Call today to discuss your options.
