Fort Smith, AR Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Pedestrian accidents are sadly not too uncommon.  In fact, hundreds of pedestrians lose their lives in Arkansas every year as a result of accidents, further concerning, is that according to estimates by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, each year 5,000 pedestrians are the victim of fatal accidents. Each year 78,000 pedestrians will be involved in accidents with cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and tractor-trailers according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Ken Kieklak has been devoted to helping injured pedestrians recover from their injuries. He is an experienced personal injury attorney who has experience representing pedestrians.

Why Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Fort Smith

Accidents between pedestrians and vehicles cannot be attributed to one single factor. Rather a combination of factors lead to accidents between vehicles and pedestrians.  Some of the most common factors that lead to accidents in Fort Smith include

• vehicle-vehicle traffic crashes,
• aggressive driving,
• drunken driving,
• street racing,
• speeding in residential areas, and
• traffic congestion.

In addition to these factors, pedestrian-vehicle accidents are more common in certain places. A vast majority of pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas, and these accidents account for nearly 60 percent of all accidents.  In addition, impaired vision among drivers due to lack of daylight, coupled with pedestrian traffic can make it hard for a driver to see a pedestrian on the road, and leads to many accidents. Studies indicate that most accidents involving a pedestrian happen between the hours of 6pm and midnight

While accidents are more prone in urban areas, accidents that happen in more rural areas tend to be more severe. This is because drivers in rural areas tend to be traveling at higher speeds.  According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, an automobile accident happens every eight minutes involving a pedestrian.

Common Pedestrian Injuries

Even at low speeds, the impact on the human skeleton can cause severe harm. Due to the weight and speed of a vehicle many accidents result in debilitating injuries.  Ken Kieklak has helped injured pedestrians seek compensation for the following injuries:

• Coma
• Bone Fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Lacerations
• Traumatic brain injury
• Paraplegia
• Quadriplegia
• Cuts, bruises, scars
• Permanent disfigurement

One of the most common injuries in a car accident when there is a pedestrian involved are leg fractures. This is often due to the location of the bumper and the injured person. In addition, speed is a factor in many pedestrian accidents. As a driver’s speed increases, the chance of fatality increases exponentially when a driver’s speed increases. At 20 MPH, the chance of fatality is 5%. At 30 MPH, the chance that a fatality will result as a result of an accident increases approximately to 45%.  At 40 MPH, the chance of a pedestrian fatality dramatically increases to 85%. Small increases in speed can cause much more serious injuries and even death. Speed is one of the factors that must be looked at when evaluating a pedestrian-motor vehicle accident case.

What are the Pedestrian Laws in Arkansas?

It is important to remember that not only do drivers on the road have a duty to watch out for pedestrians, but pedestrians also have a duty to be safe on the road. According to the State of Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicles, pedestrians must follow certain rules of the road.

Pedestrians must use the sidewalk, utilize crosswalks, pedestrian bridges, or tunnels when possible. Many accidents involving pedestrians are caused when a pedestrian is not properly using the sidewalk, or when they do not cross the road at a designated crosswalk.  If there is not a sidewalk on the side of the road, which is more common in rural areas as opposed to more urban areas, then a pedestrian is required to walk on the left side of the street facing traffic if no sidewalk is available. One of the most common reasons a pedestrian is involved in an accident with a motorist is that they do not utilize the proper crosswalk. Pedestrians are not permitted to cross an intersection diagonally unless the intersection is specifically designed for this.

Divers have their own duties on the road with respect to pedestrians. For example, a driver has a duty to yield to pedestrians who are in a crosswalk. In addition, a driver must always exercise due care to avoid a collision with a pedestrian. However, despite these obligations on both parties, we know that accidents between pedestrians and motorists are all too common. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Administration estimates that a pedestrian will be injured in an accident with a motor vehicle every eight minutes.

Let an Arkansas Personal Injury Lawyer Put 20 Years of Experience to Work for You

For nearly 20 years, Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law has provided respected and trusted legal advice to people throughout the state of Arkansas. Whether you are seeking Social Security representation, a personal injury litigator, or help with a wrongful death claim, Ken is eager to get to know you and understand your situation. For your free and confidential legal consultation call us at (479) 316-0438 or contact us online.