A young Illinois man was recently struck by a vehicle while running across I-94. This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the importance of pedestrian awareness while driving. The 28-year-old man was struck by an SUV in downtown Minneapolis as he tried to run across the highway around 3 a.m. The man was taken to a local hospital but was unable to recover from his injuries and passed away.
Pedestrian Accidents in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation keeps detailed records on the number of traffic incidents involving pedestrians. In 2012, a single pedestrian was killed or harmed every 6.9 hours. There were over 1, 200 crashes involving pedestrians, which resulted in over 1, 236 pedestrians being hurt and 44 killed. It is not surprising that almost any accident involving a pedestrian results in the pedestrian sustaining injuries. While this number has decreased over the years, the dangers that pedestrians face from drivers is impossible to ignore.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
There are several factors that increase the likelihood that a driver may be involved in an accident with a pedestrian. Urban streets and road crossings are the most common places where pedestrian-vehicle accidents occur. Drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and other substances are additional factors that can increase the likelihood of a pedestrian-vehicle accident. More than half of the crashes in 2012 that resulted in the death of a pedestrian involved an impaired driver or pedestrian. Nearly half of the pedestrians injured each year are children.
As a driver, there are key rules to follow to avoid pedestrian accidents, some of which are required by Wisconsin law. These rules include the following: yield at crosswalks; yield at intersections to those who have already started walking across the street; do not text or talk on a phone while driving; and yield to pedestrians who are trying to cross a highway.
Drivers are not the only ones who must be vigilant on the roadways. Pedestrians should also exert caution. By law, pedestrians must yield to drivers when the drivers have a green light, when there is no walk signal, or when there is no intersection. Pedestrians should also walk along the left side of the road if there is no sidewalk available.
Compensation is Available
If you or a loved one has been involved in a vehicle-pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:
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Medical bills;
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Long-term care;
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Loss of income or wages;
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Funeral costs;
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Pain and suffering; and
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Wrongful death.
For more information, please contact a Green Bay pedestrian accident attorney or Appleton pedestrian accident attorney at Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd. With offices located in Appleton, Green Bay, and Oshkosh, we can help you recover the maximum amount for your injuries caused by a driver.