When individuals think about an auto-pedestrian accident, they might think about a pedestrian and a passenger vehicle. They may think that individuals can get hit by a car while walking on a city street. However, passenger vehicles are not the only risk to pedestrians in Washington. Commercial motor vehicles, like large trucks, can also pose a serious hazard.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, pedestrians and bicyclists are at risk of an accident with a large truck. Between 2009 and 2013, there has been a 30-percent increase in pedestrian fatalities in accidents between trucks and pedestrians. Additionally, there has been a 39-percent increase in fatalities between large trucks and bicyclists.
These accidents are caused by a variety factors. Individual should understand these factors in order to keep themselves safe from an accident with a large truck. According to data by the FMCSA, 42.9 percent of all fatal pedestrian truck accidents were caused in areas where it was dark. This environmental factor was also blamed on causing 11.5 percent of all fatal accidents between trucks and bicyclists.
However, environmental factors were not the only cause of these accidents. Truck driver distraction was also a major cause in these accidents. According to data, the driver was inattentive in 14.5 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents. Other causes for these fatal accidents included the truck’s failure to yield.
An auto-pedestrian accident of any kind is very dangerous. Pedestrians lack the protection necessary to avoid serious injuries from these types of accidents. When a negligent truck driver is responsible for causing an auto-pedestrian accident, accident victims may have the right to compensation. An attorney can help individuals seek this compensation in order to help them move forward from an accident.