If a small, economy car hits a full-size SUV, the damage could be immense, even at a low speed. When a vehicle hits a pedestrian, the results might be far worse. The injury victim may fight for their life, and immediate medical attention might not save the person. So, it becomes necessary for drivers to embrace safe driving when traveling near pedestrians in Missouri. Such steps could cut down on accidents in metropolitan and rural areas.
Avoiding pedestrian accidents
Losing oneself in an audiobook could be a bad idea at any time. Still, drivers may find these and other distracting practices even riskier when traveling near joggers, walkers, bicyclists, and others. Paying strict attention to people and surroundings may cut down on accidents. Remember, some people could dart into the road, leaving everything on the driver to avoid an accident.
The reasons for pedestrian accidents vary, and it would benefit everyone if drivers put safety above all else. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) publishes statistics revealing the tragic consequences of pedestrian accidents. In 2020, 6,516 pedestrians died in fatal accidents. The number of injured pedestrians reached upwards of 55,000.
Working to keep pedestrians safe
Drivers could follow many steps to keep pedestrians and commuters from suffering harm. Not committing moving violations could help the cause, as speeding and making illegal turns increase the chances of pedestrian accidents.
Making adjustments to regular driving habits might be advisable in some conditions. Vehicles could skid or experience other unexpected mishaps if the weather turns bad. Driving more carefully could mitigate the dangers.
Lawsuits may present a way to procure compensation after a negligent vehicle accident. If a driver’s actions cause a crash, the driver might become legally responsible for paying for all losses.