5.0 out of 5.0 on Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian v. Vehicle Collisions and the Law
Here’s an obvious fact: when a car hits a person, it’s bad for the person.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2015, there were 5,376 pedestrians killed in the U.S. Of these deaths, 26% occurred between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Believe it or not, 71% of the total pedestrian fatalities were NOT at intersections.
Parking Lot Accidents – A Danger in Colorado Springs?
Most people think parking lots are relatively safe, especially when it comes to car accidents. Sure, there might be an occasional fender bender, but they occur at such low speeds—we assume they can’t cause too much damage.
But complacency is the reason parking lot accidents have the potential to be extremely dangerous.
Pedestrian Injured in Colorado Springs Parking Lot Accident
A man was seriously injured in a Colorado Springs car accident that happened in a parking lot. According to a Fox 21 news report, the pedestrian accident happened in a South Nevada Avenue parking lot near Las Vegas Street in Colorado Springs. Officials say the man was walking across the parking lot when the vehicle struck him. He was hospitalized with serious injuries. The driver of the vehicle was cited for careless driving resulting in bodily injury.
Pedestrian Accident Kills Two in Westminster
A double tragedy happened last week in suburban Westminster, Colorado. According to a news report on Denver’s 9News, the accident happened around 8:45 p.m. on September 3, when a man walking across Federal Boulevard was hit by a truck. The woman driving the truck stopped and went to check on the man. Sadly, another car struck and killed the woman. The man was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Authorities don’t suspect alcohol or speeding to be a factor in the incident. It was simply an unfortunate accident.
Elementary School Student Injured in Colorado Springs Crash
A Pioneer Elementary School student was struck and injured by a driver near the school. According to a Fox 21 news report, the incident occurred at the intersection of Beechwood Court and Woodland Hills Drive. Police say the student was struck by a Jeep Liberty.
The student was transported to an area hospital, but the severity of the injuries is not known. The investigation is ongoing.
School zones can be extremely dangerous for all pedestrians. There are several tips both children and motorists can and should take in order to prevent tragic collisions:
Crosswalk Laws in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs personal injury lawyers understand that the failure on the part of motorists to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks is one of the major causes of deadly pedestrian accidents. Under Colorado law, pedestrians are legitimate users of the roadway. To ensure that their right to cross the road is protected, the Colorado Department of Transportation chooses where to provide marked crosswalks and where to leave a location unmarked. If you are attempting to cross the road, you have the right-of-way at marked crosswalks and intersections. Having the right-of-way in a marked crosswalk does not, however, ensure your safety.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, marked crosswalks are often more dangerous than unmarked crosswalks because pedestrians expect motorists to stop for them in a marked crosswalk. They are especially hazardous on busy roadways with elevated speed limits. Therefore, to avoid being struck by a car, you should not only obey the law, but also use caution when crossing the street.
