Sanitation Worker Hit By Minivan
Walking is a popular, convenient and inexpensive method of transportation. Unfortunately, a pedestrian who is struck by a moving vehicle often experiences devastating consequences, including potentially substantial and permanent injuries. Sometimes this may even happen during the course of a workday, as a recent case illustrates.
Sanitation Worker Struck By Vehicle While Directing Traffic
According to WKTV, a sanitation worker was recently struck by a vehicle while he was standing on the road next to his truck. The New York State Police reported that the worker was in the process of directing traffic around his truck when the accident occurred.
The man was hit by an oncoming minivan, which was attempting to get around the sanitation truck, during his attempt to direct traffic. The sanitation worker was transported to a nearby hospital and reportedly suffered injuries to his head, back and knee.
Pedestrian accidents are a serious issue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that approximately 5,000 pedestrians are killed in motor vehicle related accidents each year. Additionally, over 78,000 pedestrians are injured, usually severely, when struck by a motor vehicle.
Car Accidents Involving Pedestrians
Negligent driving may be a contributing factor in some pedestrian accidents. Negligence is commonly defined as the “failure to do, or not do, something that a reasonable person would, in a similar situation, in order to protect others from foreseeable risks.” Additionally, drivers are required to use “reasonable care under the circumstances” when operating a motor vehicle. A driver who fails to use reasonable care and strikes a pedestrian may be found negligent. Failing to use “reasonable care” may include actions such as:
- Speeding
- Disobeying traffic signs or signals
- Failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian
Demonstrating a driver’s failure to use reasonable care is one element of successfully proving negligence. An injured pedestrian must also show that the failure to use reasonable care caused the accident that injured the pedestrian and the pedestrian was injured as a result.
A successful negligence claim means that an injured pedestrian may be entitled to recover damages. A driver may be responsible for both personal and property injuries caused by the accident. These can include medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
It may be extremely beneficial for a pedestrian who is injured due to a driver’s negligence to speak with a personal injury attorney. A qualified attorney understands the substantial costs and catastrophic consequences associated with a pedestrian accident. An experienced attorney can aggressively work towards collection all deserved financial compensation.