A pedestrian accident claimed the life of a woman during the early hours on Friday. As 50-year-old Shannon Baird attempted to cross M-37 in Alpine Township, Michigan, she was struck by a pickup truck traveling south. According to the Michigan State Police, Baird was hit at approximately 6:15 a.m. by the truck that was traveling around 50 mph. Despite rescue efforts, Baird was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Authorities did not indicate if citations were issued to the 45-year-old female driver. The investigation is ongoing and the rain could have been a factor in causing the accident.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are nearly 5,000 individuals killed in pedestrian accidents every year and another 76,000 pedestrians suffer injuries. All pedestrians are encouraged to follow safety precautions such as wearing reflective clothing, walking in well-lit areas, and utilizing sidewalks and crosswalks when available. However, the most cautious pedestrian is still at risk of being struck by a vehicle due to the reckless actions of motorists. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, aggressive driving, and distracted driving are some of the more common causes of pedestrian accidents, and those drivers should be held responsible for the negligence.
The St. Louis pedestrian accident attorneys at Meyerkord & Kurth have over 100 years of experience and will fight to hold the at-fault driver accountable for the damages they caused. We will plan and execute a strategy to ensure that you recover the maximum compensation for your damages while being available to answer any questions during the process. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, contact us today for a free no-obligation consultation.