The number of pedestrians that get injured or killed in a car accident is staggering. In Alberta, the total for 2016 was 811 pedestrian accidents. It concerns since pedestrian-vehicle collisions can be devastating and traumatic.
This blog article will check crucial facts about pedestrians’ car accidents in Calgary. It will give you a sense of how many persons were affected throughout time.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Calgary?
We have researched different accidents for the past couple of years and identified some ignored causes that are actually causing most of those pedestrian accidents. Here are some through causes of Calgary car accidents that involve pedestrians:
Lack of Awareness
Pedestrians can be in a hurry or distracted, which could cause them to step out into traffic without looking first.
Lower Attention
In some cases, the driver behind the wheel is not paying attention to what is happening around them. People may be processing their thoughts and have their minds on something else.
A Sudden Movement by Pedestrians
A pedestrian is an unsuspecting target for a careless driver. Most pedestrians are unaware that a reckless driver is about to cross in front of them. They may be chatting with passengers or listening to music on their phones.
Drunken Driving
Driving under the influence can lead to serious harm for pedestrians and other drivers on the road. We all know that drinking alcohol can impair our decision-making abilities. It also causes us to lose control over our actions resulting in serious accidents.
Weather Issues
There is no doubt that inclement weather conditions can contribute to pedestrian accidents in Calgary. Typically, lousy weather causes drivers to become distracted and make wrong decisions while on the road.
Statistics About Pedestrian Accidents
On average, there are more than 700 pedestrians involved in traffic accidents every year in Calgary. Comparing 2013 to 2018, pedestrian accident statistics reveal an overall increase. You can also see that most of these accidents happen.
1st Dataset Shows Who are Taking Emergency Department Visit
| Year | Admission type | Accident Count |
| 2013 | Emergency Department Visit | 582 |
| 2014 | Emergency Department Visit | 555 |
| 2015 | Emergency Department Visit | 555 |
| 2016 | Emergency Department Visit | 545 |
| 2017 | Emergency Department Visit | 488 |
| 2018 | Emergency Department Visit | 514 |
2nd Dataset Shows Who are Taking Hospital Admission After the Accident
| Year | Admission type | Accident Count |
| 2013 | Hospital Admission | 116 |
| 2014 | Hospital Admission | 108 |
| 2015 | Hospital Admission | 113 |
| 2016 | Hospital Admission | 107 |
| 2017 | Hospital Admission | 100 |
| 2018 | Hospital Admission | 111 |
Consequences of Accident
One of the tragic consequences is that, in some cases, pedestrian accidents are fatal. Some consequences are:
- brain injury
- A broken bone or leg
- Traumatic brain damage
- Facial injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputation of a limb
- Fatal injury to the vital organs
- Death
How to Avoid Accidents?
There are several ways of evading pedestrian accidents. We can prevent the chances of getting into an accident with a pedestrian by following these good practices:
Keep Your Eyes on the Road
We cannot stress this enough. Always make sure that you need to focused on where you are driving and watch out for pedestrians at all times. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not let yourself become distracted.
Good Weather Conditions
If it is raining or snowing, you must be careful about pedestrians slipping on the road. It’s easy for people to lose their balance on the wet pavement. So, please give them a little more room to avoid collisions. Slow down!
Always Yield to Pedestrians
It would be wise to remind yourself that a pedestrian always has the right of way when crossing a road. If an oncoming car refuses to give way, let them pass first not to cause car accidents.
Stop If a Pedestrian Needs Your Help
We’ve all seen pedestrians run into the road to retrieve something dropped or flung. When this happens, pull over and allow them to cross safely before continuing your journey on the road again.
Be Particularly Careful Near Schools
Make sure to slow down in 20 km/h school zones. During this time, children tend to be crossing the road with their parents or on their own. They are often distracted about walking. Also, they could quickly run out into the street without looking first.
Final Words: Get Help from a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a family member has been harmed in a pedestrian-car accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. These lawyers are well versed in the law and can help your family understand what legal steps they need to take next. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers who deal only with these cases!
