Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. | November 29, 2015 | Wrongful Death

It is never ideal for a pedestrian to be walking near a busy interstate. With all the cars and trucks whizzing by at high rates of speed, pedestrians are especially vulnerable on an interstate. Interstates are constructed to allow the rapid movement of motor vehicles; they are not meant to accommodate an abundance of pedestrian traffic. A pedestrian could easily be fatally injured if hit by a truck or car moving at highway speeds. And in fact, over 10 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents occur on interstates.

Typically, if a pedestrian is on the interstate, it is likely due to some sort of problem. For example, a motorist driving on the interstate could experience mechanical difficulties and have to pull over on to the shoulder. The motorist may then get out of his or her vehicle to examine the problem. And while doing this may be necessary, it places the stranded motorist in the precarious situation of walking very close to speeding cars and trucks.

For this reason, motorists should always be on the lookout for pedestrians who are stuck on the side of the highway. When seeing a stranded motorist, drivers should slow down if possible. Additionally, if a driver is in a lane next to the pedestrian, he or she may want to get into another lane.

Motorists have a responsibility to avoid striking pedestrians. But sometimes fatal automobile-pedestrian accidents happen because a driver is intoxicated or distracted. The fact is, a pedestrian who is struck by a fast moving car or truck will likely suffer catastrophic injuries.

If you have lost a loved one who was struck by an automobile operated by a negligent driver, you may wish to file a wrongful death suit against the responsible party. A personal injury attorney could investigate the accident to help determine liability. The attorney could also assess your family’s circumstances to help determine an appropriate level of compensation.