Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Lawrence, KS
These grave statistics highlight how serious pedestrian accidents can be in Kansas. Suppose you have suffered an injury in a Lawrence pedestrian crash or have lost someone you love in a Lawrence pedestrian accident. In that case, the Hollis Law Firm personal injury team has the knowledge needed to fight for your rights and recover fair compensation for the losses you have suffered.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Lawrence, Kansas
A Douglas County analysis of the distribution of pedestrian accidents demonstrates that specific Lawrence corridors have more issues than others. High pedestrian accident sites in Lawrence include 6th Street, 19th Street, and Iowa Street.
Common causes for pedestrian accidents in these areas include issues with:
- Infrastructure access
- Roadway operations
- Behavioral issues, such as:
- Failure to yield
- Speeding
- Crossing at night without lights
The City of Lawrence Public Works Department conducted a roadway safety audit to determine site-specific issues. They found that the above corridors could benefit from crosswalk updates, pedestrian countdown signals, and sidewalk replacements.
Negligent Driving Behaviors That Could Lead to Pedestrian Crashes in Lawrence, KS
As vehicle speed increases, the risk of pedestrian fatality rises. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, a motor vehicle traveling at just 30 mph at the time of an accident has a 45% chance of seriously injuring a pedestrian or ending their life entirely.
Speeding motorists cause numerous severe, sometimes fatal, pedestrian injuries in Lawrence, but speeding is not the only issue. Careless drivers can also seriously injure or kill pedestrians by:
- Changing lanes without looking
- Driving aggressively
- Driving distracted
- Driving drowsy
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Tailgating
- Texting and driving
Pedestrian accidents are a nationwide problem, with pedestrian fatalities having risen nearly 46% over the last decade, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the driver will almost always be found at fault, regardless of whether the victim was jaywalking or not. Under Kansas State Law, negligent drivers must compensate injured pedestrians or relatives of victims who have succumbed to their injuries for their damages. Even if the pedestrian was partly to blame for the accident, the deceased pedestrian’s family still has the right to pursue the driver for compensation if they also share some of the blame.
