“Distracted Walking” an Increasing Cause of Pedestrian Injuries

Distracted driving is a well-known source of serious injuries and death, claiming about 5,000 lives nationwide each year according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, “distracted walking” caused by using a cell phone or texting while traveling on foot is also starting to be a factor in car, pedestrian, and other accidents, according to the NHTSA.

In the past seven years, reports of pedestrians visiting emergency rooms for injuries suffered during a “walking while texting” or similar distraction incident have increased four times over, and researchers believe this number is still lower than the true amount of distracted pedestrians. Recent reports of serious injuries caused by distractions include a man who walked off the edge of a train platform while texting. Luckily, he was able to climb to safety before a train arrived.

States are taking different approaches to the problem. In Delaware, busy intersections now sport signs reminding pedestrians to “look up” and that drivers may not be looking for them. Other cities have begun fining distracted pedestrians in an attempt to encourage them to pay attention to their surroundings before a serious accident occurs.

Whether driving, biking, or walking, paying attention to your surroundings is your best defense against an accident - but it’s not always foolproof. If you’ve been injured by a distracted driver, the experienced pedestrian injury lawyers in Seattle at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help. Call us today at (888) 228-3860 for a free and confidential case evaluation.