Pedestrian Behavior Can Play a Major Role in Serious Accidents
Pedestrian accidents continue to be a major safety concern across the United States. Roughly 17% of all traffic fatalities involve pedestrians, and more than 1 in 5 of those deadly crashes are hit-and-runs. As more people spend time outdoors, these numbers have only grown—making pedestrian safety more important than ever.
The National Safety Council classifies pedestrians as Vulnerable Road Users because they have no protection against a moving vehicle. And while negligent drivers cause many of these collisions, risky pedestrian behavior can also increase the likelihood of a dangerous or even fatal accident.
Understanding the most common mistakes pedestrians make can help you and your family stay safe.
Headphones Can Prevent Pedestrians From Hearing Danger
Many people use walks or jogs as a way to relax, especially during stressful times. But wearing headphones—especially with both ears covered—can block critical sounds like:
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A fast-approaching car
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A reversing truck
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Emergency vehicle sirens
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A motorcycle turning into your path
Florida law already prohibits drivers from wearing headsets that limit their ability to hear. For pedestrians, staying aware of your environment is even more crucial.
Ignoring Crosswalks or Signals Puts You at Risk
Most pedestrian crashes occur outside intersections, often when a person decides to cross mid-block or ignores the walk signal. Jaywalking may feel harmless, but it places your safety in the hands of drivers who may not anticipate someone entering the roadway.
Picture this:
You’re carrying take-out food home and decide to cross in the middle of the street instead of walking to the crosswalk. You assume you have time—but the approaching driver speeds up to catch a green light. Seconds later, you’re struck, resulting in a traumatic brain injury or broken bones that could have been avoided.
Nighttime Walking Without Bright Clothing Can Be Deadly
More than 75% of pedestrian accidents happen after dark. Visibility is everything.
Bright or reflective clothing gives drivers a better chance to see you and slow down. And while impaired or distracted drivers still pose a danger, increasing your visibility can dramatically reduce the risk of a serious collision.
If you’re walking at night, make yourself as visible as possible. Your safety depends on it.
Distracted Pedestrians Create Dangerous Situations
We talk often about distracted driving, but distracted pedestrians can cause accidents too. Common distractions include:
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Texting
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Talking on the phone
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Scrolling through apps
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Adjusting music
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Engaging in intense conversations
If you’re absorbed in your phone, you may miss a changing signal or step into a lane of traffic unexpectedly. Intoxicated pedestrians face similar hazards—their impaired judgment can lead to sudden, unpredictable movements that drivers cannot anticipate.
Walking With Traffic Instead of Facing It Increases Risk
When sidewalks are unavailable, pedestrians may need to walk on the shoulder. In these situations, always walk facing oncoming traffic.
If you walk with traffic, you cannot see vehicles approaching from behind—especially speeding cars, which the CDC identifies as a major factor in both the severity and likelihood of pedestrian crashes. Facing traffic gives you time to move out of the way if a driver drifts too close.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Pedestrian Accident?
Depending on the circumstances, drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, or pedestrians themselves may be found at fault.
A negligent driver is typically assigned the majority of responsibility. However, if a pedestrian acted recklessly—jaywalking, walking intoxicated, ignoring signals—the driver’s insurance company may argue that the pedestrian shares some of the blame.
Regardless of fault, pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, including head trauma, spinal injuries, broken bones, and long-term disability. These injuries require extensive medical care and can lead to overwhelming financial strain.
Injured in a Pedestrian Accident? Applebaum Accident Attorneys Can Help.
A serious pedestrian accident can change your life in seconds. You may be dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and lost income—while an insurance company works hard to limit what they pay you.
At Applebaum Accident Attorneys, we understand what’s at stake. Our team will:
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Conduct a detailed investigation into how the accident happened
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Gather evidence to prove the driver’s negligence
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Handle all communication with the insurance company
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Fight for full compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term needs
If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident, you deserve answers—and a legal team who will stand up for your rights.
Contact(855-Call-Paul)
Applebaum Accident Attorneys today for a , no-obligation case review. We’re here to help you rebuild and move forward.
