Pedestrian injuries on the rise because of headphones

Pedestrians have been warned to take of their headphones or turn down the volume when walking and listening to music. A new study has shown that walking while distracted can lead to an accident.

The study published online by the Injury Board shows that 116 pedestrian and vehicle crashes resulting in death occurred while the pedestrian was wearing headphones or ear buds.

Researchers from the University of the University of Maryland analyzed pedestrian accident data from 2004 and 2011. Between 2004 and 2005 they found that 16 pedestrians wearing headphones were injured in accidents. In the following six years over 47 headphone-wearing pedestrians were injured or died. This is a dramatic increase.

Pedestrians are vulnerable when they are walking or attempting to cross a street. It is critical to beware of the surrounding traffic both through sight and hearing. Headphones make it hard to hear traffic and avoid an unexpected accident.

Distracted drivers cause a large number of traffic and pedestrian accidents. Their negligence causes unnecessary suffering and an accident lawyer will hold them accountable for their carelessness.

People who are struck by a car face serious or fatal injury and will often accumulate costly medical care. An accident attorney will fight to make certain the victim doesn’t have to pay for those bills out of their pockets. An accomplished accident attorney will win a favorable settlement for the people they represent.