UK PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ACCIDENT CLAIMS

UK Lawyers represent the injured victims of negligent drivers in pedestrian crossing accident compensation claims on a no win no fee basis. If the other driver has been identified then compensation for the pain and suffering of personal injury and all other losses is always paid in full with no deductions whatsoever. Our lawyers do not require you to pay anything at all to them throughout the course of the claim and no win no fee claims handled by UK Lawyers are genuinely risk free.

Crossings are dangerous places particularly for the unwary, the infirm and those who are elderly and confused. The mere fact that there is a green light does not necessarily mean that all vehicles will or can stop.

According to figures released by the DETR 21% of older road users who are killed in road accidents are pedestrians. Whilst overall casualties are dominated by car occupants, the death rate is higher for pedestrians than for any other road users except the occupants of cars. Problems for older pedestrians include lack of mobility, declining eyesight and hearing loss. In addition many older people are not able to judge speed and distance correctly and may appear as if they have looked for, and seen traffic, but will then step out in front of an oncoming vehicle. A pedestrian crossing accident is a particular risk for older pedestrians. Bone strength declines with age and the body is less able to deal with traumatic shock causing more severe injuries that take longer time to heal. It is important for older people to be aware of their capabilities and limitations and whilst there is a need to retain independence it is vital that they should avoid situations where they can't cope.

Older pedestrians should always cross at ‘Protected Crossing Places' but great care must always be taken when using Pelican or Zebra crossings to reduce the risk of a pedestrian crossing accident. Footbridges and underpasses are safer due to separation from the traffic but some older people may experience difficulty due to the steps or ramps associated with these places. One of the worst places to cross is near to, but not on a crossing because drivers will not expect to find pedestrians there and may be taken unawares.

If it is dark or when visibility is poor older pedestrians in common with other pedestrians need to wear white or bright clothing or at least carry something white. Better still are reflective or fluorescent sashes or armbands. It is unfortunate that much of the warm outer clothing worn by older people is dark coloured and is therefore more difficult for drivers to see in the dark. A pedestrian or cyclist wearing reflective materials can be seen at a distance of 150 metres in low beam headlights, in comparison to 30 metres without a reflector, giving a driver 5 times the distance to notice them and, more importantly, to avoid them.