Vehicle speed is one of the top considerations in the wake of determining fault for a pedestrian crash. Higher speeds significantly increase the likelihood of severe or deadly injuries. Pedestrians struck on roads with high speed limits, such as rural roads, are at elevated risk of a poor outcome.
Pedestrians tend to be safer walking on roads and sidewalks in areas with lower speed limits. However, pedestrian crashes at lower speeds can still cause serious injuries. A somewhat new form of pedestrian crash associated with larger vehicles often occurs at low speeds but can result in devastating consequences.
Frontover collisions often involve children
When a driver fails to notice a pedestrian as they pull out of their garage, parking space or driveway, their vehicle speed is likely low. However, the pedestrian they strike could still sustain major injuries, especially if the pedestrian is a child.
Frontover collisions occur when a driver fails to notice a pedestrian approaching the vehicle from the front. Often, they may be in the blind spot at the outer edge of the windshield.
Children are at especially high risk of frontover collisions, as drivers can easily fail to notice them in traffic. They may then sustain fractures or other serious injuries. Drivers can minimize the risk of frontover collisions by carefully monitoring their surroundings, especially in parking lots and residential neighborhoods.
Those affected by front-over collisions and other pedestrian crashes may find that their total losses exceed the insurance coverage available. Working with an attorney to negotiate an insurance settlement or file a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary after a low-speed frontover collision.