Many people who regularly walk on or near public roads are aware that they are at risk. They cross at marked locations, watch carefully for approaching traffic and follow all signs and traffic lights.
Unfortunately, drivers are not necessarily as cautious as pedestrians are. They can make negligent decisions in traffic that have catastrophic consequences for pedestrians.
Distraction and a failure to monitor surroundings undoubtedly play a role in the significant increase in frontover collisions reported in recent years. Pedestrians may be at increased risk in residential neighborhoods and parking lots due to the rise in frontover crashes.
What causes a frontover crash?
As the name implies, a frontover crash occurs when a driver strikes a pedestrian head-on without noticing them before making impact. Typically, these crashes occur at relatively low speeds. They often occur while people pull out of parking spots or prepare to exit their driveways.
The large blind spots of bigger modern vehicles contribute to frontover crash risk. Drivers may not see people approaching the front end of their vehicles from the side, even though they are only a few feet away from the vehicle.
Combine that with distraction and the false confidence that comes from being in a familiar environment, and the risk is there for people to drive right over local children or a neighbor. Even at low speeds, frontover crashes have the potential to cause debilitating or even fatal injuries.
Pedestrians involved in frontover crashes and similar collisions may need help pursuing compensation from drivers at fault, and that’s okay. Learning more about what contributes to pedestrian risk can help people stay safe and give them the confidence to respond assertively after a car-pedestrian crash occurs.
