Pedestrian Accidents in San Francisco: Causes and Prevention
San Francisco Pedestrians Accidents in The News
Many San Franciscans are growing concerned about the safety of pedestrians. A San Francisco Examiner story described the public reaction to a string of fatal pedestrian accidents in the Castro and Upper Market sections of the city. Specifically, there have been at least three fatal pedestrian accidents within seven blocks of one another in that area within less than a year. Each story is slightly different—representative of the myriad of dangers faced by those traveling throughout the community on foot. One victim was killed by a Muni driver, a second died after being hit by a bicyclist, and the third was killed following a car collision.
The Examiner article argues that there were wildly different public reactions to each pedestrian death. In particular, while the deaths following the Muni and bicycle accident garnered dozens of headlines and public outrage, few questions were asked following the car crash.
Unfortunately, these pedestrian deaths are not all that out of the ordinary. Over the course of a year, 17 pedestrians died in San Francisco in 2011 alone while walking on the street: 14 of those deaths involved collisions with a car or truck, two were Muni accidents, and the third was a pedestrian-cyclist collision.
Preventing Pedestrian Accidents on the Streets of San Francisco
The executive director of Walk SF—a local pedestrian advocacy group—argued, “People have assumed that car crashes are inevitable—that somehow it’s an act of God—but these accidents are both preventable and tragic, and it’s time we started paying attention to them.”
Some argue that part of the problem is that there is less a “community” of drivers as there is a “community” of local cyclists. Following the most recent death involving a cyclist running into a 71-year old pedestrian, there were calls for mandatory bike-safety lessons. Nothing similar was proposed following the pedestrian death involving the car.
This situation may be changing. Scott Weiner, the City supervisor for the area where these latest accidents occurred reports that local residents are pushing for more focus on pedestrian safety. From looking at bad street designs and improving traffic conditions to increasing enforcement of existing laws, many hope that real changes may soon be made.
Pedestrian Accidents Happening At Alarming Frequency
The attorneys at our firm understand that the kinds of pedestrian accidents that happen more frequently are often pushed to the side — while accidents that cause the same amount of harm spur major attention simply because of their infrequency. Just because pedestrian accidents happen at an alarming frequency doesn’t make them okay. Correcting this imbalance is important, as wide-reaching public awareness efforts can help to lower accident rates and save lives.
No matter what the cause, however, all those hurt in these types of pedestrian accidents should remember the one place where those harmed by the negligence of others can address a wrong: the civil justice system.
Talk to an Attorney Experienced in Pedestrian Accidents
The injury attorneys at our firm have been successful in helping those harmed in pedestrian accidents across the San Francisco Bay Area. Click here to request a free no-obligation consultation or call 415-541-0300 to see if one of our attorneys can help you.
Boone Callaway is a personal injury & medical malpractice lawyer in San Francisco who has been working with clients in the Bay Area for over 25 years. Mr. Callaway is one of only a few personal injury litigators in San Francisco who is a Super Lawyer, AV Rated and is also a member of ABOTA – American Board of Trial Advocates.
