What Are the Leading Causes of North Carolina Pedestrian Crash Injuries?

Whether you are a driver or a pedestrian in the Tar Heel State, you face the possibility of being involved in a pedestrian accident. This can be an overwhelming and traumatizing experience, leaving you with legal and medical bills, along with fear for your future. Fortunately, a pedestrian accident lawyer can answer questions like, “What are the leading causes of North Carolina pedestrian crash injuries?”

fperWhat Are the Leading Causes of North Carolina Pedestrian Crash Injuries?

In 2024, North Carolina had the 16th-highest pedestrian accident rate in the nation. In 2022, over 8,000 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle accidents. To understand the leading causes of North Carolina pedestrian crash injuries, it can be helpful to learn more about the different elements that may factor into an accident, including drivers, road conditions, and pedestrians themselves.

Driver-Related Accident Factors

Individuals operating a motor vehicle have an elevated responsibility to ensure safety on the roads. This is mainly because a car provides you with far more security than it does for those outside the car. Some of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Failure to yield. When a driver fails to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks, especially in highly populated urban areas, it can lead to pedestrian accidents.
• Distracted driving. Driving may feel boring at times, but the need to focus never lessens while you are operating a vehicle. Drivers who are texting, changing the radio, doing their makeup, using their phones, or otherwise not paying attention to the road are often a major and consistent cause of pedestrian accidents, as they may not notice their surroundings until it is too late.
• Impaired driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and/or prescription medications can significantly impair your reaction time and decision-making abilities, thereby increasing the risk of pedestrian accidents. The legal blood alcohol limit, or BAC, in North Carolina is 08% for standard drivers who are 21 years and older, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.00% for anyone under the legal drinking age.
• Speeding. Whether you are running late for work, street racing, or angry about something during the day, speeding is never a smart choice. Higher vehicle speeds can increase the chances of pedestrian accidents, along with the severity of any injuries if an accident occurs.

Environmental Factorsf

Some factors may be mostly out of a driver’s or pedestrian’s control, including the following examples:

• Hazardous road conditions. Poorly maintained roads, construction zones, or a lack of necessary infrastructure can often contribute to accidents. Areas without crosswalks at dangerous intersections, stop signs, and other yielding opportunities may increase dangers for pedestrians.
• Poor visibility. Snow, rain, and/or reduced visibility at night or during inclement weather can increase the likelihood of pedestrian accidents, as drivers and pedestrians alike may have trouble seeing in such conditions. Drivers may also struggle to brake in time when the roads are slick and traction is poor.

No matter the weather or conditions, however, both drivers and pedestrians are responsible for adjusting their level of awareness and caution to the surrounding circumstances. For example, if it is dark outside, it is not wise to cross a poorly lit street while dressed in dark colors.

Drivers must also maintain a heightened awareness of those around them during these types of conditions. You may need to stop abruptly for a pedestrian you did not see in the rain or drive more slowly in the snow. That way, you do not slide through a crosswalk or lose control of your vehicle.

Pedestrian Factors

While it is always important for drivers to do all they can to avoid potential pedestrian accidents, the pedestrians themselves also have a responsibility to abide by North Carolina’s pedestrian accident laws. Pedestrians can be found liable for an accident, even if they are the only ones physically injured, if they caused said accident while breaking pedestrian laws.

Here are some examples of when a pedestrian may be found responsible for causing an accident:

• Jaywalking and/or distracted crossing. When you cross the street outside a crosswalk, it is considered jaywalking, which is illegal in North Carolina. Crossing the street while distracted can also lead to a pedestrian accident, where the pedestrian may be found at fault.
• Intoxication. While there is no walking equivalent of BAC driving rules, pedestrians who are impaired due to alcohol or drugs are at a higher risk of being involved in a collision, for which they may be found at fault.

Why Should I Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

When deciding whether to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer, you may also be curious about who to hire. With past trial experience and applicable knowledge, The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., can represent you at every stage of your case, including in the courtroom should the need arise.

FAQs

Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way in North Carolina?

While drivers always have the added responsibility of trying to avoid a pedestrian accident, this does not mean that pedestrians always have the right of way in North Carolina. It is illegal to jaywalk, which involves crossing the street without the presence of a crosswalk, as it can surprise drivers and lead to accidents.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in North Carolina?

All pedestrian accident cases are unique, and the cost of hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer tends to vary by case in North Carolina. Some potential factors that may influence your overall cost include:

• How much time and work your case requires
• The level of complexity the case presents
• The North Carolina pedestrian accident attorney you hire to represent you

What State Currently Has the Highest Number of Pedestrian Accidents in the United States?

As of 2024, New Mexico is the state with the highest number of pedestrian accidents, with North Carolina falling sixteenth in the nation. There are a wide variety of reasons for this, but one common trend appears to be whether pedestrian and driver safety were factored into the creation of the infrastructure. The absence of crosswalks, stop signs, and clear yielding signs can lead to an increased risk of accidents.

What Are Some of the Leading Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in North Carolina?

Some of the leading causes of North Carolina pedestrian accidents include failing to yield at crosswalks, distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding. There are additional factors that drivers cannot control, like poor visibility due to weather or darkness, along with hazardous road conditions. Jaywalking or impaired behaviors can also lead to pedestrian accidents.

Get More Information Today

You do not need to face your pedestrian accident case alone. Contact The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., today to arrange a consultation.