Wheelchair users who are pedestrians understand the frustrations of navigating sidewalks, roads, and intersections that are not always easily accessible to people who are disabled. They may not realize that they are also at greater risk of dying in a car accident than other pedestrians who walk or use a bicycle.
A recent study by Georgetown researchers found that people using wheelchairs were 36 percent more likely to be killed in a car accident than other pedestrians and that men were five times more likely to die than female wheelchair users. In addition, they can suffer much more devastating injuries because they are lower to the ground and are hit straight on. This can be a big worry for Florida residents—especially our seniors—who must rely on wheelchairs to get around.
Why Wheelchair Pedestrian Accidents Occur
The researchers at Georgetown analyzed data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System at the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and from news stories about these crashes from 2006 to 2012 in reaching their conclusions. Although they did not specifically study the causes of these accidents, their findings shed light on these facts:
- Almost 50 percent of the collisions occurred at intersections, which often failed to have traffic controls such as stoplights or crosswalks.
- In approximately 21 percent of the crashes, the driver failed to yield the right of way.
- No effort at crash avoidance by drivers was detected in 78 percent of the accidents.
- Drivers had more difficulty seeing wheelchair users than other pedestrians because they are closer to the ground, making it harder for drivers to slow down and brake for them.
- Wheelchair users could have a harder time moving quickly out of the way due to problems maneuvering on sidewalks or on a road that has no sidewalks, or due to their physical limitations.
If you were a pedestrian using a wheelchair in a car accident, you could suffer life-altering injuries like traumatic brain injury, paralysis, serious fractures, and internal organ damage. However, you may be entitled to compensation from the negligent driver who failed to see you or yield the right of way to you as a pedestrian. Call our experienced legal team today at (727) 345-4566 to schedule a free consultation.