Most pedestrian accidents fall within the following categories, however, which can help us determine when we may be at greater risk of causing or being involved in an accident.

1. Backing vehicle-pedestrian accident. These accidents commonly occur at parking lots or on streets where driveways offer limited visibility to drivers who are backing onto the road. It is the responsibility of drivers to be aware of their surroundings and back up slowly enough to be able to react if a pedestrian enters their path.
2. Work or play accidents. Whenever children play in residential areas, there is the chance that they will run into the street after a ball or while chasing another child during a game. Construction workers may also need to perform work on roadways that require them to stay in the middle of the street.
3. Pedestrian crossing a highway. Pedestrians who cross limited access highways or on and off-ramps are at an elevated risk of being struck by high-moving vehicles. While it is ill-advised for anyone to attempt to cross these roads, some people may feel it necessary in the event of a broken down vehicle or accident.
4. Off-road accidents with pedestrians. These accidents take place off of the road, such as when a vehicle leaves the road and strikes a pedestrian on the sidewalk, when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle leaving an alley or when a vehicle strikes a pedestrian standing close to the edge of the road, such as someone waiting at a bus stop or near a disabled vehicle.

5. Pedestrians walking on the side of the road. Whenever pedestrians need to walk along busy streets, they should make every effort possible to use sidewalks. If drivers do not see these pedestrians due to nighttime conditions or inclement weather, it can result in an accident.
6. Through vehicle at an intersection. This type of accident occurs when a pedestrian is crossing an intersection and is hit by a vehicle traveling straight through the intersection. It may occur due to the willful decision to run a light or stop sign, a malfunctioning traffic signal, or the lack of any traffic control devices.
7. Turning vehicle at an intersection. These accidents are primarily the result of poor visibility or lack of driver attention to pedestrians on the road. The driver strikes the pedestrian while turning either right or left while the victim is crossing the street.
8. Failure to yield at a crosswalk. The law requires drivers to stop for anyone choosing to cross the street at these intersections, but impatient drivers and those not paying attention may strike an unsuspecting pedestrian attempting to cross.
9. The midblock dart and dash. This type of accident is primarily the fault of the pedestrian, but the driver can contribute to its likelihood and severity. The pedestrian enters the street from the side of the road and crosses the path of the vehicle just before impact.
10. The multiple threat accident. This type of accident is similar to the dart and dash, except the pedestrian walks between two vehicles that are stopped and into the next lane where he or she is struck by a vehicle whose driver never saw him or her.
11. Mailbox or midblock vehicle. This type of accident occurs when a pedestrian is hit while checking his or her mail or while interacting with a vehicle on the side of the road, such as an ice cream truck. The driver can be held completely liable if he or she was distracted and or speeding immediately prior to the accident.
12. School bus crossing accident. Drivers who are always in a hurry value their own time over the safety of others. This is especially true of those who overtake stopped buses with their lights on and those drivers should be held liable for their careless and irresponsible actions.

While most pedestrian-related accidents fall into the above categories, our pedestrian accident lawyers would like to point out that every accident is unique.

The team at USAAccidentNetwork.com urges victims of pedestrian accidents to get a free, private case evaluation.