If you regularly walk around town instead of driving or riding a bike, you have likely already had at least one instance when a reckless or careless driver almost hit you in a crosswalk. Unfortunately, in some cases, negligent drivers hit pedestrians and cause serious injuries. If that has happened to you recently, a talented pedestrian accident attorney at our firm could help you seek comprehensive civil compensation. In the meantime, it helps to understand what kinds of situations often lead to collisions of this nature—not only to avoid becoming involved in them yourself but also to recognize when you may have grounds to file a lawsuit over a crash. This article discusses some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Merrillville, which our team at the Law Offices of David W. Holub has experience addressing through proactive legal action.
Failure to Yield
Indiana law requires all drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks. No driver can pass another vehicle that has stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross. Despite this, many motorists ignore the rule, and this failure to yield remains one of the causes of accidents involving pedestrians in Merrillville.
Distracted Driving
Alongside failure to yield, distracted driving is another major factor in pedestrian injuries. Even though state law prohibits texting while driving, many drivers still look at their phones, talk to passengers, or focus on anything other than the road. This behavior is a contributing factor to collisions where pedestrians in Merrillville suffer harm.
Failure To Check Blind Spots
Even attentive drivers can cause crashes if they fail to check their blind spots before turning at a crosswalk. Every vehicle has blind spots large enough to hide a pedestrian, and when drivers overlook these common areas, they cause pedestrian injuries in Merrillville.
How Does Speeding and Reckless Driving Cause Accidents?
Some collisions happen because of reckless choices rather than simple mistakes. Drivers who speed, drive drunk, or act irresponsibly put pedestrians at extreme risk. These behaviors often lead to collisions in Merrillville that result in common forms of trauma to pedestrians because reckless drivers cannot stop in time when someone crosses ahead of them.
Contact a Merrillville Lawyer Familiar With Common Causes of Crosswalk Collisions
Even if you know exactly what caused another person to strike and injure you in a preventable traffic collision, filing a lawsuit against them is rarely simple. However, if you were injured due to any of these common causes of pedestrian accidents in Merrillville—or under more unusual circumstances—you can rely on our dedicated legal counsel to help you understand and enforce your right to civil recovery.
A pedestrian injury lawyer from the Law Offices of David W. Holub could answer your questions and guide you through your legal options. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.