As per the Governors’ Highway Safety Association (GSHA), pedestrian deaths caused by drivers of motor vehicles increased by 35% between 2008 and 2019. The overwhelming majority of pedestrian deaths occur on local roads at night. The GSHA also reports that during the 10-year period preceding 2019, crashes after sundown and before sunrise accounted for more than 90% of that increase.
Why is it So Dangerous for Pedestrians After Sundown?
There are a number of reasons why danger increases for pedestrians at night. Here are a few of them:
- Even when motorists have their headlights on, it becomes far more difficult to see pedestrians at night, especially when they’re a hundred yards away. Given the diminished visibility at night, the attention of motorists is focused on other vehicles on the roadway.
- Reaction time for motorists is slower at night, especially when roads are wet, or weather conditions are bad. That’s when drivers have increased difficulty seeing objects on or near the roadway.
- Drowsy or fatigued drivers have significantly longer reaction times when they encounter pedestrians.
- Drivers who are distracted by phones, infotainment centers or other distractions might not see a pedestrian until it’s too late.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two always slows reflexes and increases the risk of an accident.
Two Tragic Philadelphia Nighttime Pedestrian Accidents
In May 2020, a well-known mummer was struck by a car and pronounced dead at the scene in a tragic Philadelphia nighttime accident that occurred on the 11000 block of Knight’s Road. The car that hit him sped off, and the identity of the driver who hit him has yet to be determined. A few days later, another pedestrian was hit and seriously injured by the driver of a stolen SUV at night. That driver also left the scene, but he was caught by police.
Eligibility for Compensation
A nighttime pedestrian who is hit and injured as a result of the carelessness and negligence of a motorist is likely to suffer serious and permanent injuries. He or she becomes eligible for an award of damages as compensation for their injuries and damages. In its efforts to save money, the driver’s insurance company will take whatever legal steps that are necessary to push some or even all of the fault for the accident over onto the pedestrian.
Statements to Insurers:
Pennsylvania law doesn’t require you to give any type of a statement, and the opposing insurance company will likely only try to use your words against you in the future to attack your credibility. Speak with a lawyer from our offices instead.
Contact a Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
After any accident involving a serious injury, contact a highly rated Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer such as Edith Pearce. Unlike the huge firms with dozens of attorneys and many different attorneys handling different aspects of your case, Edith Pearce is personally involved in every case that we handle. She genuinely cares about her clients and you will not be treated like just another case or file.