Walking around a city or public area is often a fast way to get around, but when large vehicles disregard safety rules, it can put you in danger.
Taking the time to learn more about what situations and problems are unique to pedestrians can help if a vehicle harms you.
Height
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most pedestrian accidents only involve a single car instead of a typical two-car collision on a road.
Children are especially at risk for harm in these kinds of accidents. An inattentive driver could fail to see shorter people walking along a sidewalk when it is dark outside or if rain is falling.
Inability to escape
When a driver is ignoring the surrounding traffic in order to speed, they may run over the sidewalk and into a group of pedestrians. Losing control of their car can cause them to make turns that also put you in danger if you are waiting for a light to walk across an intersection.
While these kinds of crashes may not affect other people in vehicles as much, an unprotected pedestrian will likely not have time to get out of the way.
Visibility while standing still
Drivers who are dependent on maps in order to find their way may look down and run onto the sidewalk without stopping. People in vehicles can also make dangerous decisions if they are unfamiliar with the roadways.
Vehicles that do not have visibility while backing up can potentially harm you if the driver does not check the space around them properly. Understanding the risks for pedestrians around cars can help you decide what steps to take next if you get hurt.