Pedestrian Accidents in Corpus Christi
Pedestrian fatalities in Corpus Christi climbed in 2018. Half of the fatal traffic crashes that occurred in Corpus Christi in 2018 involved a person trying to cross a roadway on foot.
16-year old King High School student hit and killed by a car while using the crosswalk at Staples Street and Mustang Trail on March 27, 2018.
On March 27, 2018, Rai-ane Garza, a 16-year old King High School student, was using the crosswalk at Staples and Mustang Trail with Madicyn Knott, 15, after school when a man driving a rented vehicle struck the teens. Rai-ane was killed, and Madicyn was seriously injured. Both girls had the right of way.
If you have been hurt in an accident, you need to speak with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Corpus Christi. The accident attorneys at Webb, Cason & Manning have extensive experience with pedestrian accident cases.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Unsafe Roadway Conditions - While most pedestrian accidents are the result of negligent driving, dangerous conditions on property contribute to some of them. When the owner of a private property doesn’t provide adequate lighting, install speed bumps, or offer enough signs to protect crosswalks, pedestrians are in danger. Issues such as known pedestrian “danger areas” not being properly marked, or other negligence can result in an increased danger to pedestrians. If lack of lighting, speed control, signs or roadway markings on private property contributed to a car hitting a pedestrian, the personal injury claim filed by your Corpus Christi pedestrian accident lawyer may involve more than just the driver.
School Zones - Speeding through neighborhoods and school zones is extremely dangerous. Using cellphones in school zones is against the law in many communities. Drivers using cellphones, or any other kind of distracted driving or driving under the influence in school zones or residential areas is a recipe for disaster. It is always a driver’s responsibility to be on the lookout for pedestrians, especially children.
Construction Zones - When vehicles pass through construction zones, the law requires them to slow down to the temporary posted speed limit. Even with signs warning drivers of doubled speeding tickets in construction zones, many drivers fail to drive safely. Construction workers are often in and around the roadway for extended periods of time. One distracted or reckless driver can result in the serious injury or death of a construction worker.
Speeding - There is a strong relation between vehicle impact speed and the severity of pedestrian injuries. An estimated 5 percent of pedestrians will sustain fatal injuries when struck by vehicles traveling 20 miles per hour or less. By comparison, 40 percent of pedestrians will be killed if hit by a car traveling 30 miles per hour and 80 percent will be fatally injured by a vehicle traveling 40 miles per hour, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Failure to Yield- Drivers in Texas are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in a number of situations. Drivers must give the right-of-way to pedestrians at an intersection that does not have traffic signs or signals. Drivers must yield if the pedestrian has a WALK signal or on a green light if there is not a pedestrian crossing signal. Drivers pulling out of driveways, alleys or private roads should yield to pedestrians on sidewalks. Drivers should look out for yellow signs indicating areas where large numbers of pedestrians cross the street and slow down. Motorists should be alert for any blind or partially blind pedestrians guided by a service dog or using a white cane. When a driver fails to yield, a pedestrian may be seriously or fatally injured.
Distraction - Driver distraction is the number one cause of a vehicle striking a pedestrian. A driver who is looking at oncoming traffic before making a turn may not see someone who is crossing the street. Texting while driving, emailing, scrolling through social media, and a number of other mobile distractions take drivers’ eyes away from the road, making them prone to missing pedestrians using crosswalks. Other distractions such as eating, personal grooming, fiddling with the radio, using GPS, and drowsy driving all contribute to reckless driving – furthering the chances of pedestrian accidents. Speeding or running red lights or stop signs increase the chance that a driver will hit a pedestrian.
Alcohol - Texas has among the highest number of drunk driving accidents in the nation, and alcohol is a contributing factor to many pedestrian accidents. Fifteen percent of pedestrians struck and fatally injured are hit by drunk drivers, according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Commission, while a third of pedestrians who are killed are legally intoxicated. Some pedestrians under the influence of alcohol walk in the road or even sit or lie down in the road.
Lack of Visibility - About three fourths of fatal pedestrian accidents occurred in the dark, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Pedestrians are more difficult for drivers to see at night, particularly if the person on foot is wearing dark clothing.
Webb, Cason & Manning - Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Corpus Christi
If you or someone you love was the victim of driver negligence in a pedestrian accident, there are laws that protect your rights. Pedestrians who are hit by cars often suffer grave injuries, such as permanent disability, paralysis, or brain damage.
To learn more about how you can take legal action against distracted drivers in Corpus Christi, Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and beyond, contact us as soon as possible to discuss your pedestrian accident case. Whether you’ve sustained a minor or major injury, the accident and injury lawyers at Webb, Cason & Manning will work hard to help you seek fair compensation.