In Minneapolis, seven people have died so far this year as a result of vehicle-pedestrian accidents. Yet, these numbers don’t reveal the hidden toll that cars take on pedestrians every day. According to MPR News, in 2015, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle about once every day and a half. For personal injury victims, these accidents can be devastating.
Pedestrians do not have the protective chassis of a car. When they are struck, they are more likely to suffer serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, broken bones, and post traumatic stress disorder. Concussions, back injuries, and broken bones can result in time missed from work, and can require a long rehabilitation period. For some individuals, the effects of traumatic brain injury can be life-long. Individuals may require occupational therapy, special assistance, or other types of accommodations. This care can be quite costly for victims and families already struggling with lost income and lifestyle changes.
Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, but in many cases, drivers simply do not follow the law. MPR News reports that officers have stopped 742 drivers and cited 307 of these for failing to yield to pedestrians. When drivers fail to yield, the consequences can be serious. Pedestrians often count on drivers yielding when they are walking in crosswalks. Even in cases where pedestrians followed the law, they sometimes suffer injuries due to a driver’s actions.
Victims and families have a right to seek a recovery if a driver’s negligence resulted in losses. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino is a personal injury law firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, committed to helping injured pedestrians and their families seek justice if they’ve been hurt.
While Minneapolis city officials have been working to make the city more pedestrian-friendly, many accidents occur when drivers are turning. Drivers don’t always look before they turn. Minneapolis is reviewing causes of accidents to design streets so that they are more pedestrian-friendly.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, older adults and children are most at risk of pedestrian accidents. While drivers need to exercise caution when turning and make sure they yield to pedestrians, pedestrians can also take important steps to keep themselves safe. For instance, when walking at night, pedestrians can carry a light and wear reflective or bright clothing. Pedestrians should also cross the street at designated cross walks. In some cases, pedestrians who jaywalk or cross the street in an unmarked area surrender certain important protections under the law. Finally, pedestrians should use sidewalks, when possible, but if sidewalks are not available, they should walk on the shoulder of the road and face traffic.
If you’ve been one of the many individuals injured in a pedestrian-vehicle accident, or if you know and love someone who has been hurt, a personal injury lawyer may be able to assist you. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino is a car accident lawyer in Minneapolis, Minnesota committed to helping victims and families seek the recovery they may deserve.