The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety has reported a total of 670 people were struck by cars throughout the entire state in 2010. Of these numbers, 151 were incapacitating, and 68 were fatal. Furthermore, the report broke the numbers down by county demonstrating that some of the most car and pedestrian accidents occurred in the following counties:

  • Oklahoma County (194 Total)
  • Tulsa County (139 Total)
  • Comanche County (44 Total)
  • Cleveland County (37 Total)
  • Payne County (19 Total)
  • Muskogee County (17 Total)
  • Wagoner County (10 Total)
  • Osage County (1 Total)
  • Pittsburg County (1 Total)

As pedestrians do have the right of way at crosswalks, they do not have the right of where in unmarked areas; this is more commonly known as jaywalking. In these areas, pedestrians must yield to oncoming traffic in order to avoid a collision.  Of course, while close to three-fifths of American pedestrian deaths have occurred outside of crosswalks, less than one fifth have occurred in close proximity to a crosswalk.

The auto accident attorneys at The Edwards Law Firm have great sympathy for pedestrians that have been injured due to the negligent actions of another individual. We believe that if you or a loved one has been injured in car versus pedestrian accident, the victim may be eligible to receive compensation for their losses and damages.

Causes of Pedestrian-Auto Accidents

On average, around 5,000 pedestrians are killed each year in the United States by an automobile. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has further broken down this number and discovered that every eight minutes a pedestrian is killed in a collision across our roadways. Unfortunately, pedestrians often believe that if they can see a vehicle, the vehicle can see them, this often fails to be the truth, therefore resulting in collisions. Some causes of pedestrian-auto accidents include:

  • Distracted Driving
  • Driving Under the Influence
  • Failing to Stop at an Intersection
  • Failing to Yield the Right of Way
  • Fatigued Driving
  • Jaywalking
  • Negligent Driving
  • Pedestrian Negligence
  • Reckless Driving
  • Speeding
  • Texting while Driving

An automobile versus pedestrian accident can occur at any location; however they are most prevalent near intersections. As responsible members of this community, both drivers and pedestrians must be aware of each other and pay attention at all times. As the old saying goes; remember to look both ways before crossing the road.

Types of Pedestrian-Auto Accident Injuries

When a pedestrian is struck by a car, it will typically result in injuries to the pedestrian. These injuries will usually depend on how fast the car was traveling, along with the size of the vehicle. In any case, there is a tremendous amount of force created by an automobile, and when it strikes an unprotected person, it can cause serious injuries and possible death.

Some types of automobile versus pedestrian collision injuries include:

  • Back Injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Concussion Injuries
  • Dental Injuries
  • Dislocated Joints
  • Facial Injuries
  • Internal Bleeding
  • Lacerations
  • Loss of Limb
  • Neck Injuries
  • Road Rash
  • Skull Fractures
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Wrongful Death

If you have been hit by a car, it is highly recommended to seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. This will provide you with documentation that can be used by a skilled attorney to develop a robust case against the negligent and injury causing driver.