When walking in the street, you can’t really control who or what you encounter. No matter how cautious you are, no one is truly safe from accidents. All the more if it involves things you can’t control like a pedestrian accident caused by a driver.
In Michigan, crashes have been consistent over the past years. From 2008 to 2018, the numbers are relatively similar, and it doesn’t seem to show significant improvement. It’s scary because truck accidents don’t just damage vehicles and roads. They also cause severe injuries and can even take lives.
Drivers and pedestrians could both fall victim to accidents, but pedestrians are in a more dangerous situation. Unlike drivers, pedestrians are unprotected. One strike is enough to cause fatal injuries.
How Dangerous are Pedestrian Accidents?
According to the Michigan State Police, 80% of pedestrian accidents result in severe injuries, including death. More than 100 pedestrians die from vehicular accidents each year.
Pedestrian accidents seem to be more fatal between 6 PM and midnight. These accidents typically happen because the pedestrian crosses streets or roadways other than heavily lit intersections. Drivers in these scenarios are often unmindful of the possibility of a pedestrian crossing the road, making it too late for them to yield.
This does not even take into account the difference between cars, SUVs, and semi-trucks.
Why are Semi-Trucks Dangerous For Pedestrians?
Semi-trucks are more dangerous to pedestrians than you know. One swerve, and it is enough to injure thousands of pedestrians. Most people don’t understand that while drivers do have control over their vehicles semi-trucks, they do still cover a lot of area. Hence, it is more difficult to control a big vehicle than a regular car.
With that amount of mass, it is not surprising that semi-truck drivers get into accidents. These accidents, due to their huge size, are enough to kill pedestrians and drivers alike.
Just this June 2019, a semi-truck crashed at 4:30 am near Barton Drive on the Huron River Bridge. According to the Michigan State Police, a semi-truck was parked at the side of the road requesting for assistance when another semi-truck lost control and crashed unto the parked vehicle. The colliding semi-truck easily rolled over and caught fire, leaving its driver dead. The driver of the parked semi-truck, on the other hand, suffered minor injuries.
Earlier this year, in April 2019, a semi-truck’s tire blew out while driving westbound on 26 Mile Road causing the driver to lose control and crash into a home. The home was left severely damaged, thankfully, with residents not present at the time.
If a semi-truck can damage an entire home and even cause the death of its own driver, imagine what impact it could bring to an unprotected pedestrian in the wee hours of the night when visibility is low. Clearly, any person can fall victim to a semi-truck accident, and all we can do is just to be cautious.
What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?
If you’re a pedestrian who can’t help but walk at any time during the day, especially at night, here are a few things to help decrease your chance of getting into an accident:
- Cross at designated areas only and use sidewalks as much as possible
- Only cross at heavily lit areas to avoid unnecessary accidents especially at night
- Look both ways regardless if the road is one way
- While crossing, try to get eye contact with the driver before crossing to ensure that he is aware that you are about to cross
- At night, it is encouraged to wear reflective clothing to ensure visibility, especially if your streets aren’t particularly well-lit
These are just a few tips you should take note of the next time you walk the streets. While they may not promise 100% safety from accidents, they may lessen your chances of getting into one.
Legal Help in Case of Semi-Truck Accidents
If you ever find yourself in a semi-truck accident, or any personal injury accident, you can trust The Clark Law Office to help you.
The Clark Law Office has served hundreds of clients for decades. Our lawyers are professionals and have extensive knowledge of personal injury laws. We have years of litigation experience, enough to give you the protection you need. Let us take away the stress of insurance claims, so that you can focus on proper medical care and healing. Contact The Clark Law Office now!
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