Pedestrian Accidents Increasing
I’m Ed Smith, a Roseville personal injury lawyer. All of us are pedestrians at some point, and pedestrian safety is at an all time low. Due to a pedestrian’s total lack of physical protection, injuries can be serious. Let’s explore the incidence of pedestrian accidents, why they happen and what can be done to make pedestrians safer.
Incidence of Pedestrian Accidents
In the year 2015, 5,376 pedestrians were killed in the United States.That means that in a little more than an hour and a half, a pedestrian dies. This is an almost 10 percent increase over the previous year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 129,000 pedestrians were seen in emergency departments in the United States in 2015.
Characteristics of Pedestrian Accidents
Certain characteristics of pedestrian accidents are applicable nationwide:
- Rural areas are safer for pedestrians. About 26 percent of such accidents occur on rural roadways as opposed to the 76 percent of pedestrian accidents that happen on urban streets.
- Speed affects the outcome of pedestrian accidents.
- Fewer pedestrian accidents happen in the daylight (23 percent) than during the nighttime hours (74 percent).
- One-fifth of all children who died due to traffic accidents were pedestrians.
- Older pedestrians over the age of 65 are more likely to be killed or injured than younger ones. Almost 20 percent of those killed and 13 percent of those injured were over 65. However, fatality rates were highest for those in the 50 to 54-year-old range and those over 80.
- Close to 70 percent of all pedestrians killed were male.
Alcohol Use and Pedestrian Accidents
Overall, close to 50 percent of accidents where a pedestrian was injured or killed were those where either the pedestrian or the driver was legally drunk. In 34 percent of pedestrian/motor vehicle crashes where a pedestrian was killed, the pedestrian was legally intoxicated. Conversely, only 15 percent of motorists were drunk.
Types of Motor Vehicle/Pedestrian Accidents
The majority of pedestrian crashes (90 percent) involve one vehicle while the remaining 10 percent involved multi-vehicle accidents. Passenger vehicles usually hit pedestrians with the front end of the vehicle. Buses and trucks commonly hit pedestrians on the right side or when backing up.
Difference in Pedestrian Accidents by State
States with good weather conditions have the greatest number of pedestrian accidents. California is considered to have the most pedestrian accidents followed by the state of Florida. In California, of all fatal traffic accidents 23 percent are pedestrian accidents. Only the District of Columbia has higher pedestrian deaths at 45 percent.
Ways to Keep Pedestrians Safer
There are things you can do to stay safe when walking:
- Try to walk on the sidewalk if one is available.
- If a sidewalk is unavailable, use the shoulder of the road.
- Always walk opposing traffic. This gives you the ability to maneuver out of harm’s way.
- Don’t walk or drive distracted. Talking on the phone or even listening to music can make you less aware of what is going on around you.
- Don’t think that drivers see you. Try to make eye contact if possible.
- Cross at intersections or using a crosswalk. Drivers are more likely to expect to see a pedestrian in such settings.
- When a crosswalk or intersection is unavailable, select a well-lit area and wait until traffic is clear to cross.
- Make sure you are easily seen. Wearing bright clothes or reflective emblems or using a flashlight helps.
- Don’t drink and walk.
Roseville Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Roseville personal injury lawyer. If you or a family member has been involved in an accident, you might be facing exorbitant medical bills or lost wages. This is the time to call an injury lawyer. Call me at (916) 921-6400 in the Roseville area or (800) 404-5400 if you are out of town. I will offer friendly and free advice.
I’ve helped my neighbors in Roseville and Northern California with bicycle accidents and brain trauma. In all cases, I fought to make sure they received the compensation they deserved for the damages they suffered.
If you would like to know what my clients thought of my legal services, go to:
Visit my settlements and verdicts page to see how some of their cases were resolved.
Milliondollaradvocates.com is a group of trial attorneys who have won $1 million judgments and settlements. I am a member from California.
You can learn more about personal injury law here on AutoAccidents.com.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/buildings-city-crossing-1838418/
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