San Diego has always been a popular destination for tourists and people looking to relocate their families. People cite the climate as one of the number-one reasons as to why they come here.

However, the warm weather also means more people travel the city on foot rather than by car. This can increase your chances of being injured in a San Diego pedestrian accident. New reports indicate walking while distracted can increase those risks greatly.

An Overall Look at Pedestrian Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), overall traffic fatalities were down in 2010. However, the amount of pedestrian injuries rose again. The NHTSA reports that in 2010:

  • Pedestrian fatalities jumped 4.2 percent.
  • Pedestrian injuries increased 19 percent.

More Pedestrians Injured Due to Distractions

Walking distractions might be the major culprit. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports an increase in pedestrian fatalities due to walking distractions involving electronic handheld devices, such as cell phones. They also report a spike in distracted walkers being treated in American emergency rooms. The number has quadrupled in the past seven years.

“We are where we were with cell phone use in cars 10 years ago or so,” said Jonathan Akins, Deputy Executive Director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Association. “We knew it was a problem, but we didn’t have the data.”

Common Walking Distractions

Many distractions can take a pedestrian’s attention away from navigating the streets or a parking lot on foot. However, electronic handheld devices are becoming more of a problem for walkers. Common distractions involving electronic handheld devices include:

  • Operating a cell phone to make and/or receive calls.
  • Sending and receiving text messages.
  • Listening to music or downloaded e-books.
  • Viewing online news articles and websites.
  • Playing online or downloaded video games.

Common Places of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians should always be wary of the dangers motorized vehicles pose to them. However, there are certain places where a distracted pedestrian accident is more likely to occur. They include:

  • Shopping centers.
  • Beach and coastal parking areas.
  • Parking lots in rural areas.
  • Along city and downtown streets.
  • Parking structures near office buildings.

If You Have Been Hurt in a Pedestrian Accident

Regardless of how or who was responsible for your accident injury, you might be able to hold the other driver responsible for your damages. However, proving they are liable is no easy task. That is why you should contact Keith J. Stone.

Mr. Stone and his team are experienced in helping accident victims recover for their damages. He will evaluate the merits of your case and provide you with insightful answers concerning what you should do next.

Order Your Free Book

To get a head start in building a strong accident case, you can order from our website a free copy of our informative guide, What to Do in an Auto Accident.

If you have been injured in pedestrian accident, call San Diego pedestrian accident attorney Keith J. Stone at (619) 531-2022 or 888-59-HELP-NOW. He can provide you with the answers you need for the results you want.

The San Diego-based Office of attorney Keith J. Stone serves the following areas in Southern California:

San Diego, Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Ventura Counties including the cities of:

San Diego, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Riverside, Chula Vista, Irvine, Glendale, San Bernardino, Huntington Beach, Oxnard, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Oceanside, Rancho Cucamonga, Santa Clarita, Garden Grove, Ontario, Pomona, Palmdale, Pasadena, Corona, Torrance, Escondido, Lancaster, Orange, Fullerton, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, El Monte, Inglewood, Costa Mesa, Downey, West Covina, Victorville, San Buenaventura (Ventura), Norwalk, Burbank, Carlsbad, Temecula, South Gate, Murrieta, Mission Viejo, Rialto, Compton, El Cajon, Carson, Vista, Westminster, Santa Maria, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Hawthorne, Alhambra, Hesperia, Whittier, Newport Beach, Chino, San Marcos, Buena Park, Lakewood, Indio, Baldwin Park, Chino Hills, Blythe

Keith J. Stone also handles cases originating elsewhere in California and across the USA.