In recent years, the number of pedestrian accidents has increased dramatically in states all across the country. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, there were 1,072 pedestrian accidents in the state in 2016 alone—some of them right here in the Twin Cities.
The City of Minneapolis commissioned a study on pedestrian crashes in 2017 that found that the vast majority of these accidents are preventable and caused by a driver who failed to yield the right of way to a pedestrian. Alcohol was also a factor in a significant number of pedestrian crashes. Additionally, the study noted that the most common place for a pedestrian accident to happen is at an intersection, with more than two-thirds of these accidents occurring at a traffic signal or crosswalk area.
The City of St. Paul, which is also struggling to rein in pedestrian accidents, has resorted to launching an awareness and enforcement campaign called Stop for Me to help educate the public on Minnesota's crosswalk laws.
Negligence plays a significant role in many of these accidents, as motorists often fail to watch for—or stop for—people crossing the road or walking alongside it. Some of the most common types of accidents include:
- Crosswalk/intersection accidents. If there's anywhere motorists should know to watch for pedestrians; it's at crosswalks and intersections. Sadly, hundreds of pedestrian accidents happen at Minnesota crosswalks and intersections each year, often due to drunk, reckless, or distracted drivers.
- Jaywalking accidents. Even motorists who are diligent about looking for pedestrians near crosswalks and intersections may be less practiced at watching for pedestrians who are trying to cross the road at unexpected points. Pedestrians who were hit while jaywalking may potentially share in liability in Minnesota.
- Backover accidents. These accidents often occur when a motorist is backing out of a driveway or parking spot and fails to see someone who is standing or walking behind the vehicle.
- Side-of-the-road/shoulder accidents. When a street has no sidewalk, pedestrians have no choice but to walk on the side of the road. While walking on the left side of the road, facing traffic, is the safest, pedestrian accidents can occur regardless of whether the victim was facing toward—or away from—oncoming vehicles.
- School bus crossing accidents. One of the most heartbreaking types of these accidents are those that occur when a driver fails to stop when a school bus extends its stop sign, resulting in a child being struck while crossing the street.
Dealing With the Aftermath of a Serious Pedestrian Accident
When it comes to car accidents, pedestrians are particularly vulnerable as they have no meaningful form of protection, which often results in them sustaining horrific, painful, and costly injuries that may put them temporarily out of work or even leave them permanently disabled. That's a high price to pay for someone else's negligence.
If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident in the Twin Cities, you may suffer the physical consequences of another driver's carelessness for months, years, or even for the rest of your life. You shouldn't have to shoulder the financial burden for your injuries on top of everything else. Fortunately, there's help.
There's Too Much at Stake to Go it Alone After a Twin Cities Accident—We Can Help You Find the Right Doctor and Attorney for Your Case
After a pedestrian accident, the motorist who hit you may say they “didn't see” you and hope that that's the end of the matter. Unfortunately for them—and fortunately for you—claiming to have not seen someone before hitting them doesn't absolve a motorist from the consequences of failing to drive safely.
Our free referral service can help you find a highly qualified Twin Cities doctor who can treat and document your injuries, as well as an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you pursue compensation through legal action. Don't wait another day to get the help you need and deserve—call 763-251-PAIN today!