Rising Pedestrian Accidents in Oregon: Causes, Consequences, and Legal Help

Oregon Pedestrian Accidents on the Rise

Increasingly, Oregon sees an increased number of pedestrian injuries or even deaths from being struck by motor vehicles. Every 88 minutes (opens in a new tab), a pedestrian dies in a car-related accident. Every year, roughly 6,000 pedestrians lose their lives or are injured in accidents where they are hit by motor vehicles. Additionally, an estimated 137,000 pedestrians across the US were treated for nonfatal crash-related injuries in emergency rooms in 2017 (opens in a new tab). The most common location for these accidents is at intersections or crosswalks when motorists don't yield the right-of-way or stop for traffic devices like stoplights or stop signs. Because of the massive difference in size and weights, pedestrian-on-vehicle accidents nearly always result in the pedestrian's significant personal injury or death. It will surprise nobody that a large, fast-moving vehicle is no match for a comparatively fragile and exposed. Injuries to pedestrians anywhere, including Portland and other cities around Oregon, are most typically the result of:

• Drivers failing to follow speed limits (speeding)
• Distracted or inattentive and drivers
• Negligent drivers
• Intoxicated drivers
• Reckless drivers
• Inexperienced or new drivers

See also What are the 10 most common driver errors that cause injury in Oregon vehicle accidents?

Without a doubt, distracted drivers - whether from fatigue, cell phones, radio, intoxication, or other distractions - are the primary cause of pedestrians' injuries. Poor weather and visibility, often in low-light or nighttime conditions, exacerbate this problem and reduce drivers' ability to both see and avoid pedestrians. Every driver must maintain a proper lookout and maintain control of their vehicles under all conditions. These conditions place a further duty on drivers to maintain speeds and distances that allow them to account for others' safety in their surroundings.

Pedestrians Who are Hit By Cars or Trucks Can Result in Death or Serious Injury

Pedestrian accidents result in several injuries that include broken bones, brain injuries, skull fractures, burns, skin lesions, spinal cord injuries, burns, sprains, lost limbs, or other catastrophic injuries, including death. A pedestrian accident victim may require costly and extensive medical care,rehabilitation, treatment, and physical therapy. All of these expenses may be collectible in the form of damage compensation from the wrongdoer and their insurance company.

If you or a loved one has been hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian in Portland or anywhere else in the state of Oregon and have suffered an injury,Pacific Injury Law Firm can help you recover financially from your pedestrian injury. Our firm is committed to helping people who have been injured from accidents of all types including pedestrian injuries. The attorneys at Pacific Injury Law Firm are experienced Portland,Oregon pedestrian injury lawyers you can trust for dependable legal representation and to guide you through the process of financial recovery.

Contact us for a free consultation and an evaluation of your pedestrian injury claim or other personal injury cases.