How a St Louis Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help With Your Pedestrian Accident

The NTSB has found that over six million motor vehicle accidents occur every year in the US.  Of those auto accidents, more than 100,000 of them involve pedestrians. An experienced St Louis Personal Injury Lawyer can help you with your claim.

Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable when involved in an accident with a car or truck. Frequently, these accidents result in serious injury or death to the pedestrian.  For those pedestrians who survive such accidents, they are far more likely to suffer permanent injuries and lifelong disabilities. A St Louis Personal Injury Lawyer can help.

Pedestrian accidents occur for many reasons, most of which are not the fault of the person walking. Many pedestrian accidents are easily avoidable.  They only occurred because of the carelessness of the driver.  Often pedestrian accidents occur because the driver was inattentive, distracted, speeding, or even intoxicated.

Driving distracted is more common today than ever before.  Many drivers today drive while using smart phones.  These drivers think they can drive safely while making phone calls, surfing the web, checking e-mail, and even responding to a text.  Pedestrian accidents caused by cell phone usage are on the rise.

Many drivers speed as a matter of practice.  Many drivers fail to yield at intersections to pedestrian within the crosswalks.  Many drivers are simply not in the habit of yielding the right-of-way to walkers and joggers.  In the eyes of the law, all of these drivers are “negligent,” or at fault for causing pedestrian injuries.

Both Missouri and Illinois law favor pedestrians at intersections.  This means that pedestrians have the right-of-way at intersections, whether the intersection is painted with a crosswalk or not.  Vehicles at intersections are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the street.  Both states favor pedestrians over drivers even when the intersection is not marked with white painted “crosswalk” lines.  Further, many municipal codes have adopted the same language.

Pedestrians are encouraged to walk safely to avoid pedestrian accidents caused by careless drivers:

1.    Be alert at all times;
2.    Don’t assume any vehicle sees you — even if you think you made eye contact;
3.    Obey all traffic signals — even when you are walking;
4.    Use the “Look left-right-left” before crossing;
5.    Keep your eyes on approaching traffic — even when you think you have reached safety;
6.    Don’t trust one driver “waiving” into an intersection;
7.    Hold every child’s hand from one point of safety until you reach another;
8.    Use crosswalks and sidewalks when available;
9.    Never walk on Interstate Highways; and
10.    At night, wear reflective gear and carry a light.

Pedestrian accidents can cause serious personal injuries, including broken bones, closed head injuries, TMJ disorders, knee surgeries, hip pain, and other injuries.  Pedestrians injured in an accident should call and experienced St Louis Personal Injury Lawyer.

Have you or someone you know been involved in a pedestrian accident and suffered serious injuries?  If so, contact a St Louis Personal Injury Lawyer at the Mueller Law Practice, LLC, for a free consultation regarding your personal injury claim.  We only represent injury victims.  No fee unless you recover.  Free call and free consultation from a St Louis Personal Injury Lawyer.

Call now, then decide:  314.421.4441 or Greg@InjuryLaw STL.com