Winter Weather Heightens Risk of Pedestrian Accidents

 Posted on January 24, 2023 in Vehicle Vs. Pedestrian Accidents

As increasingly dramatic rain storms in California make national news, the rainy season is clearly upon us. Most Californians welcome this time of year and, despite the potential destructiveness of the rain, hope for an end to the ongoing dry conditions the state continues to suffer from. 

However, a major drawback of rainy weather is its impact on the frequency and severity of road crashes, especially relating to pedestrian accidents. Research shows that pedestrians suffer more from accidents with vehicles during rainy weather, and that the injuries they suffer are more severe. The likelihood of a fatal pedestrian-auto accident is also higher in rainy weather. If you have been injured or a loved one’s life has been tragically lost as a pedestrian getting hit by a car, you deserve to know your rights. A civil suit that obtains compensation for your injuries and losses cannot undo the accident, but it can help you on the pathway toward recovery. 

Rain Contributes to Adverse Driving Conditions

Bad weather makes pedestrian-auto accidents more likely for a number of reasons. Visibility is reduced, especially at night, making it dangerous for pedestrians to cross the street even at designated crossings. Furthermore, drivers are often distracted in bad weather, paying closer attention to other cars, the rain on the windshield, or the many other things that distract drivers even in good weather. 

Auto-pedestrian accidents tend to be more severe in rainy weather as well because it can be harder for a car to stop or slow down in the rain. Drivers who forget to turn on their headlights risk being unseen by pedestrians, causing cars to hit pedestrians at high speeds. 

Can I Sue the Driver That Hit Me If I Was Jaywalking? 

Poor drainage can cause massive puddles at intersections, making pedestrians prefer to cross the road at other locations. However, if you were crossing the road in a place that was not a designated pedestrian walkway, your compensation may be affected by the jaywalking. Much depends on the behavior of the driver. For example, if you looked carefully in both directions before crossing the street and were hit by a driver whom you did not see because he was drunk and speeding in the rain, even if you share a portion of the blame for the accident, the driver may have more liability than you. Your compensation would simply be reduced by the amount of negligence for which you are responsible. 

Call an Experienced Temecula, CA Pedestrian Injury Lawyer

If you have already been hit by a car as a pedestrian, you know how seriously these events can impact your life. Get the legal help you need from a team of Riverside County, CA pedestrian injury attorneys with Maineri Law Firm. We are committed to aggressively pursuing compensation on your behalf and will examine every option for rectifying the harms you have suffered. Call 951-698-4200 today for a free consultation. 

Source: 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30412822/