There are a lot of benefits to walking versus driving, like saving money on a car payment and getting exercise and fresh air. Unfortunately, it can also be dangerous. Minnesota victims involved in pedestrian accidents often suffer long-term consequences, like serious injuries, emotional trauma and even financial damages. But determining exactly who is responsible for these things when pursuing a personal injury claim is not always easy.
In order to recover necessary compensation for damages, a victim has to demonstrate that the driver of the vehicle was at fault. Drivers must exercise a reasonable amount of care when behind the wheel, even if they might not see any pedestrians. Because of this, a driver could be considered negligent for engaging in a number of different behaviors, including:
- Speeding
- Texting
- Failing to yield right-of-way at crosswalks
- Failing to signal a turn
- Drinking and driving
- Disregarding traffic or weather conditions
Children who are 5 to 9 years of age are the most likely group of pedestrians for cars to strike. Because of this, drivers must exercise even more caution when there are children around. Even if a driver does not see a child on a nearby sidewalk, he or she should exercise greater care when traveling in areas where children are likely to be. This includes residential areas, parks and schools.
Victims of pedestrian accidents often face uphill battles to recovery. There are not only the physical injuries to worry about, but also things like medical bills, lost wages and the emotional toll of the whole ordeal. Holding a negligent driver responsible for his or her actions may be one of the wisest courses of action for a victim in Minnesota, which usually involves successfully navigating a personal injury claim to completion.
