Pedestrian accidents are one of the leading causes of death among people of all ages and are especially dangerous for senior citizens and children. With so many young drivers nowadays, it’s important to know what can affect the severity of a pedestrian accident.
And if you are ever involved in a pedestrian accident, you should not be reluctant to hire a personal injury attorney. Before you hire any attorney, make sure you have read testimonials and reviews on their website. You can also check into their practice areas and confirm their knowledge in the area of pedestrian accidents.
Let us now look into 3 important factors that affect the severity of a pedestrian accident.
- Speed of the vehicle
Obviously, the faster the vehicle is going, the higher chance it has of hitting a pedestrian. Though not always the case, vehicles that are going at high speeds can also cause more damage to pedestrians and other vehicles in case there’s an accident.
The speed of the vehicle obviously has a direct correlation with the seriousness of the accident. If you’re hit by an SUV traveling at 55 miles per hour, chances are you will suffer more injuries than if you were hit by a car traveling at 15 miles per hour.
Therefore, when in doubt, always move out of the way. Don’t stand still hoping the vehicle will stop on its own accord. Instead, keep moving and try to walk away from danger as quickly as possible.
- Age of the victim
Older pedestrians are more likely to suffer injury or even death on impact. People over the age of 65 have a higher chance of getting injured or even dying due to a pedestrian accident. This is especially true if the victim suffers from heart disease, as well as other chronic illnesses. The age of the victim has a direct correlation to the severity of the accident.
- Size of the vehicle
Bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans cause more damage to pedestrians than smaller vehicles. This is because these bigger vehicles will be traveling at faster speeds when they hit pedestrians.
Smaller cars can still cause damage, but they will not have as much impact as the larger ones. Therefore, always be careful when crossing the street, especially if there is a truck or SUV coming your way. The size of the vehicle really has to do with the severity of a pedestrian accident.
