Pedestrians know they have to be careful when crossing the street. New York street corners aren’t the only places with potentially dangerous traffic. Parking lots and driveways come with risks, as vehicle-pedestrian accidents happen in those places as well. Some collisions are worse than others, and specific vehicles may present more dangerous hazards.
Pedestrians and vehicle dangers
Any vehicle could prove dangerous to pedestrians, including even subcompact cars. However, larger models, such as pickup trucks and SUVs, come with increased hazards. A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reveals as much, and the study is not a cursory one. Roughly 14,000 fatal pedestrian accidents underwent analysis by IIHS researchers. The conclusion points to SUVs and pickup trucks as being more dangerous than standard cars. Vans and minivans also came with additional dangers to pedestrians.
The study notes that trucks and SUV crashes with pedestrians become more likely when the oversized models perform left hand turns. Such information seems plausible since left hand turns often require more precautions than righthand ones. Left turns into intersections may result in a driver’s concentration suffering from multitudes of distractions. Design issues add to the problem. For example, the height of an SUV or pickup truck could undermine the ability to see a pedestrian.
Other reasons for pedestrian accidents
Specific negligent behaviors could act as multipliers for pedestrian accidents. For example, a driver who converses with a passenger and takes their eyes off the road when making a turn could be deemed negligent. Drunk driving, speeding, and making an illegal turn on red also reflect negligent behavior.
A negligent driver may face claims for any harm inflicted on pedestrians. In a wrongful death lawsuit, the amount could be significant.
