Many Colorado drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks or intersections, resulting in tragic pedestrian accidents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that 4,378 pedestrians died in traffic-related accidents in the U.S. in 2008 and 69,000 pedestrians suffered injuries in traffic crashes that same year. Unfortunately, negligent or reckless drivers are at fault for many pedestrian accidents.
Pedestrians often suffer devastating injuries because they are completely unprotected against the force of a car, truck, or other motor vehicle. In addition, severe pedestrian injuries may require expensive long-term medical care, which victims and their families may be unable to afford. If you have suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a Colorado pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation, so it is important to discuss your situation with an experienced Colorado pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Drivers are expected to exercise reasonable care around pedestrians, particularly children. Pedestrian accidents involving cars, trucks, and SUVs are more likely to occur in urban areas, including busy city streets and intersections. At highest risk for pedestrian accidents are adults ages 65 and older and children between 5 and 9 years of age.
Factors that commonly cause pedestrian accidents include:
Motor vehicles are not the only cause of pedestrian accidents in Colorado. Many pedestrians suffer injuries from slip and fall accidents, unmaintained sidewalks, and falling objects or debris.
Factors such as a motor vehicle’s speed and size can influence the severity of pedestrian injuries suffered in a pedestrian accident. Speeding cars and trucks as well as larger vehicles are more likely to cause severe injuries or death to pedestrians.
Tragic pedestrian injuries include:
Treatment for pedestrian injuries often requires extensive hospital stays and rehabilitation, both of which can be very expensive for pedestrian accident victims.
Even if you were not in a crosswalk at the time of your pedestrian accident, you may still have a case against the auto driver if the driver did not exercise proper care. The Fowler Law Group specializes in handling pedestrian accidents and other auto and personal injury accident cases. We will work with you to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. Call our Fort Collins, Colorado office today at (970) 232-3322 to schedule a free review of your pedestrian accident case.