How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents In Wisconsin?

According to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association, the pandemic has brought out the worse in drivers in Wisconsin and across the U.S. According to its findings, the state was among those where pedestrian deaths increased in the first six months of the breakout. In 2019 alone, Wisconsin recorded 13 deaths which increased to 22 during the first quarter of 2020, which is also a 69% increase from 2019.

In other words, whether you walk to work or prefer to walk to the local grocery store, you should have a personal injury lawyer in Kenosha on speed dial.

Top Reasons for Pedestrian Accidents in Wisconsin

Pedestrians are some of the most vulnerable and defenseless victims of car accidents. In most cases, their injuries can be quite severe and take months to heal. If you are one of them, knowing some of the frequent reasons for pedestrian accidents can help you work with your Kenosha personal injury attorney to prove a driver’s negligence and ensure you get full compensation for damages.

A pedestrian can get injured if drivers:

• Fail to yield to them when they are turning on an intersection.
• Backs into them while backing out of a parking spot or driveway.
• Fail to give pedestrians such as joggers or walkers enough space.
• Fail to yield to them on a crosswalk.
• Fail to see them.
• Fail to stop for a bus that is dropping or picking up passengers.

While pedestrians can reduce risks of such accidents by following laws such as obeying crosswalks, watching out for other vehicles while crossing, etc, drivers are usually the ones who are found negligent by Kenosha personal injury attorneys. That’s because most pedestrian accidents involve distracted driving, speeding, or drunk driving which can strengthen your claim.

Pedestrian Right of Way

While every accident that involved pedestrians is unique, your personal injury lawyer in Kenosha will look at all of the facts surrounding the case to understand who had right of way. As per Wisconsin law, pedestrian right of way on the roads can be divided into these categories:

• Pedestrians can walk on roads if there is no sidewalk available. However, if that is the case they should walk on the left side when possible and move to the outer edge to ensure they remain safe from vehicles.
• Drivers have to allow pedestrians to cross the road at fully controlled intersections that have traffic signals.
• If there is no pedestrian signal or crosswalk at an intersection, drivers still have to yield to pedestrians crossing the street.

Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles on the road can suffer from a wide range of injuries. From minor cuts and cruises to severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries and broken bones to paralysis, their life can turn upside down. Depending on the injuries, they can get stuck in countless rehab sessions, require permanent assistance, be paralyzed, and pay expensive medical bills to boot.

By hiring the legal services of the Law Offices of John V. O’Connor, you can ensure that the negligent party covers those damages and you get the compensation you deserve. John has more than 35 years of experience fighting for the rights of accident victims such as yourself. Get in touch for a consultation today.