Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle while Lying on the Road

According to a KSAT News report, a man is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle early this morning.

Police reported the incident occurred at around 4 a.m. on 25200 Beorne Stage Road east of Scenic Loop Road on the northwest side of San Antonio. The driver told police that he was traveling down the road when he struck what he thought was a bag of trash. When he got out to survey the damage, he discovered it was a man lying in the roadway, so he called the police. The victim was hospitalized in critical condition. No charges are pending against the driver.

Did You Know?

74% of pedestrian accidents occur at night, including in well-lit areas and areas with little or no street lights.

Pedestrian Accidents at Night in San Antonio

San Antonio is known for being not very pedestrian-friendly. There are a lot of big trucks and not a lot of sidewalks on poorly lit back roads creating a perfect combination for catastrophic accidents.  Efforts to cull the number of pedestrian accidents are somewhat effective, but there are still far too many people injured in pedestrian accidents in San Antonio.

Unsurprisingly, the majority of the accidents happen at night. Let’s take a look at why that is, becuase better informed pedestrians and drivers working together is the best way to reduce these numbers and make San Antonio a safer place to walk and ride.

Time of Night

Specific hours in the night are more than others — NHSTA data found that most pedestrian accidents at night occur between 6 p.m. and midnight.

This is not really surprising — that six-hour stretch is when many people will be getting home from work, going to dinner, or running errands. This increases foot traffic and road traffic during this time. Pedestrian accidents also skyrocket during fall/winter months because the sun sets so early that 6 p.m. will be quite dark.

These accidents are also more prevalant in heavily populated urban areas, suggesting that higher foot traffic in general leads to more opportunities for accidents.

Location

Most nighttime pedestrian accidents happen at intersections or while crossing the street. The main contributing reasons for this are:

• Pedestrian/Traffic Density — Many pedestrians will be crossing here, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
• Drunk Drivers/Pedestrians — Drunk drivers have slow reaction times and are more likely to be speeding, while drunk pedestrians are more likely to miss oncoming traffic.
• Irratic Crossing Behaviors — Crossing where there is no crosswalk or suddenly stepping into the street from behind a parked vehicle.

Not all of these accidents happen at crosswalks. Around 10% occur in areas where pedestrians are commonly expected to be, such as:

• Parking lots/Garages
• Driveways
• Shoulders
• Bicycle Lanes
• Paths and Trails

Visibility

The most commonly cited reason for these accidents is “I didn’t see them.”

Many people struggle to see at night. Many people suffer from mild night blindness, but the most common reasons drivers are not able to see pedestrians are:

• Speeding
• Distracted Driving
• Fatigued/Drunk Driving
• Dark Clothing (Pedestrian)
• Poor Lighting

Drivers have a responsibility to be more alert at night.

Hurt in a Nighttime Pedestrian Accident in San Antonio? Call Carabin Shaw

We’ve represented injured pedestrians and their families for 30 years, and we always put our clients first. Call the attorneys at Carabin Shaw who care today at 800-862-1260 to get your case reviewed. We look forward to serving you.

Contacting a Carabin Shaw Attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.

¹KSAT News Report

Learn how to walk safely at night in this suggested article by Carabin Shaw.