Each year, many accidents occur in the state of West Virginia and all across the United States involving pedestrians. The result of a motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian is often serious bodily injury or death. Often times these accidents are the result of unfortunate encounters that could have been avoided. If you or your love one has been involved in an accident or incident, contact Colombo law today. Our experienced car accident lawyers will be happy to meet with you for a no-risk initial consultation.
Common Reasons for Collisions with Pedestrians
Operating a motor vehicle at high rates of speed is one of the leading causes of collisions with pedestrians. Many times, motorists fail to observe posted speed limits when traveling on highways, streets, and other roadways. This practice is particularly dangerous when traveling through communities in which children are at play. When speeding is the cause of a collision with a pedestrian, motorists are often unable to stop in time after spotting a pedestrian in the lane of travel.
Distracted driving is another leading cause of collisions with pedestrians. In the day and age of modern technology, it becomes easy for motorists to take their eyes and attention away from what is on the road ahead of them. Many drivers do not comprehend how much distance their vehicle travels while they are looking at a cell phone for just 5 seconds.
In West Virginia, the laws relating to the right of way of pedestrians vary depending on the circumstances. The general rule is that motorists must yield to pedestrians were signage or lights indicate that pedestrians should travel in the roadway. However, even when signage is present giving pedestrians the right of way, motorists sometimes fail to acknowledge and comply with the law.
Many individuals and organizations have stressed the risks associated with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, the risks associated with operating a motor vehicle while impaired extend to unsuspecting individuals traveling by foot. This is because impaired driving causes the motorist to have reduced visibility and delayed reactions to road hazards.
Contact The Personal Injury Attorneys at Colombo Law
In many cases, advanced planning can eliminate the “rush factor” that causes many accidents to occur. When an accident does occur, you need an experienced attorney on your side. Colombo Law is a personal injury law firm located in Morgantown, West Virginia. Our attorneys are experienced litigators who have handled thousands of personal injury law cases involving motor vehicle accidents, burns, slip and falls, work-related injuries, medical malpractice, and nursing home abuse or neglect. We have settled and litigated many cases, bringing just compensation for so many of our clients. If you are unsure of whether you have a personal injury claim or how to proceed with obtaining monetary compensation, let one of our attorneys take the stress away from you. Contact one of our attorneys today.
