The 3 Main Causes of Pedestrian Accident Claims

The majority of accidents involving pedestrians are the fault of motorists, and it is exactly this type of accident that leads to these types of accident claims. With many country's roads becoming increasingly overcrowded, instances of pedestrian accident claims are sadly on the rise.

So what are the leading causes of pedestrian accident claims?

Technology - with gadgetry increasingly finding its way into the glove boxes of cars around the world, drivers are being distracted by mobile phones, with millions of road users admitting to texting, calling and even signing into social network sites whilst they drive. The last decade has also seen the introduction of satellite navigation devices for drivers, which are now ubiquitous on the roads and severely distract drivers from the task at hand. Eating and playing with the stereo are also age old causes of pedestrian accident claims, and all can be easily avoided with just a little bit of consideration and self-discipline.

Aggressive driving - driving techniques differ greatly from person to person and are even changeable on a daily basis depending on time constraints, stress, etc. Inner-city driving can be particularly poor as congestion may reduce visibility and make it difficult for some drivers to remain calm and fully cognisant of the possible hazards that may lay in wait. A recent study carried out by a leading transport agency found that the most common manoeuvres immediately preceding an accident were left or right turns, reversing or completing a three point turn.

Ill-prepared pedestrians - accidents are not always the fault of car drivers; there are also measures pedestrians can take to increase their own safety when walking on the pavements. Perhaps the most obvious piece of advice is - wherever possible - to only cross the road at designated crossings. Some pedestrians will cross the road within sight of a crossing without actually using it; such behaviour will likely remove any possibility of a subsequent pedestrian accident claim. When walking at night, it is also advisable to wear high-visibility clothing, particularly if you will be walking on poorly lit streets or on country lanes.

Whatever the cause of your pedestrian accident, even if you believe that you may have been partly responsible, it is always worth contacting a professional team of pedestrian accident claims solicitors, who will be able to tell you whether you have grounds for a claim in just a matter of moments.