Maine Injury Lawyer Blog
While car accidents are extremely dangerous, most people forget about the risks associated with pedestrian accidents. A pedestrian accident involves an incident involving a pedestrian being hit by a motor vehicle. These accidents can often be more harmful than car accidents because a motor vehicle moves much faster than a pedestrian. Individuals hurt in a pedestrian accident will often file a lawsuit against the responsible party to recover monetary compensation for the injuries they suffered. Below is an example of a recent pedestrian accident along with statistics discussing the prevalence, causes and misassumptions about these types of accidents.
According to a recent news report, a man was killed in Portland after being struck by a motor vehicle. The victim was walking down the street around 1:20 A.M. when he was hit by a car. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. No charges have been filed against the driver yet, but police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact them.
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are common in Maine. In the state, from 2016 to 2020, there have been over 1,300 total pedestrian crashes. While most of these have resulted in injury, over 5% of these accidents have been fatal. Regardless of the age of the victim, such accidents can take a dramatic physical and emotional toll on the individual harmed. However, on average, the most common age of the pedestrian is between the ages of 30 and 39 years old. But in over 15% of pedestrian accidents, the injured person has been a child.
Many people assume that pedestrian accidents are more prevalent at night when it is harder for both pedestrians and drivers to see. However, this is incorrect, In Maine, 57% of these accidents occur during daylight, while approximately 39% occur when it is dark outside. While there is not a single explanation for this, the cause of the accident can instead be explained by some wrongful action—whether purposeful or not—that the driver took. Some of these wrongful actions include failing to yield the right of way, over-steering, driving their car in an aggressive manner, and running off the roadway. Of these causes, failing to yield the right of way is the most common.
Because pedestrian accidents can have lifelong consequences for the person injured—along with their family—it is important for those who have been hurt in a pedestrian crash to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Contact a Maine Personal Injury Attorney Today for Immediate Assistance
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maine pedestrian accident, contact the attorneys at Peter Thompson & Associates today. We understand that personal injury lawsuits can be complex and emotionally draining, so we are here to assist you throughout the process. With decades of experience representing clients in a variety of personal injury lawsuits, our attorneys will fight for you to get you the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, no-risk consultation, give us a call today at 1-800-804-2004. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for any of our services unless we can recover damages on your behalf.