Understanding pedestrian accidents and injuries
A pedestrian accident describes any incident where a person on foot is injured due to an encounter with a vehicle or, in broader terms, any external factor that should have been controllable.
It’s not just about cars hitting people; these accidents can occur in various scenarios, each with its own complexities. Here’s a closer look at what can count as a pedestrian accident:
- Vehicle collisions: The most common scenario involves a pedestrian being hit by a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of motor vehicle. These incidents often occur on pavements, on pathways, in car parks, or while a person is walking along the roadside.
- Bicycle accidents: Pedestrians might also be injured by bicyclists, especially in areas where bike paths intersect with pedestrian walkways or in crowded urban environments where bicycles and pedestrians share close quarters.
- Public transportation incidents: Accidents involving buses, trams, or trains, whether it’s being struck by one of these vehicles or injured while embarking or disembarking, fall under pedestrian accidents.
- Slips, trips, and falls on public pathways: Injuries resulting from poorly maintained pavements, car parks, or public walkways, such as those caused by potholes, uneven surfaces, or ice and snow, are also categorised under pedestrian accidents. These cases often involve a failure by the responsible party to maintain a safe environment.
- Electric scooters and other personal mobility devices: The rising popularity of electric scooters and similar devices has led to an increase in accidents involving pedestrians. These can occur when a pedestrian is struck by an e-scooter or when trying to navigate around them on shared paths.
