Pedestrian accidents are an increasingly common form of personal injury accident, with recent numbers suggesting that pedestrian accidents in the United States are reaching their historical peak. A pedestrian accident is dangerous because it ordinarily involves a driver crashing into a pedestrian. Negligent drivers that drive distracted, drunk, or too fast can expose pedestrians to blunt-force trauma that can cause severe injuries like spinal cord injuries, bone fractures, and shoulder injuries.
People going for a walk or saving money by commuting on foot have very little protection to protect them from impact with a motor vehicle. They can receive direct blunt-force trauma that can expose them to life-threatening consequences, as indicated by record-breaking pedestrian accident fatalities in recent years.
Pedestrian accident victims can pursue compensation for damages not covered by insurance caused by a negligent party by filing a pedestrian accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
How Many Pedestrian Accidents Happen Every Year?
One of the most common types of personal injury accidents is pedestrian accidents, which involve motor vehicles striking those walking and running without a vehicle. Some people want to save money on gas or enjoy the fresh air by walking around, but negligent drivers can crash into them and cause severe injuries.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 55,000 United States pedestrians are injured nationwide every year. These injuries result from drivers crashing into pedestrians, possibly because of negligent driving behavior like distracted driving, speeding, and failing to yield the right-of-way.
Without the protection of a vehicle or helmet, the pedestrian can experience direct blunt-force trauma. Their bones, ligaments, tendons, and organs can receive damage that can lead to significant health problems, with the potential for fatal wounds that can lead to wrongful death.
Pedestrian Accident Fatalities in the United States Reaching an All-Time High
Some severe injuries caused by pedestrian accidents can include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), internal injuries, and shoulder injuries. Depending on the severity of the injury, a pedestrian’s life could be in danger from the damage caused by a car crashing into them. According to the NHTSA, 6,516 pedestrians died from accidents in 2020.
Recent reports indicate that pedestrian accident deaths are the highest they’ve been in over forty years in the United States. The alarming death rates for pedestrians have led to the U.S. government allocating resources to solve the problem. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has allocated $5 billion to state and local governments through the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant to help increase safety for pedestrians and prevent pedestrian accident fatalities.
Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Normally Occur?
Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere that allows people to walk and motorists to drive cars, such as streets with sidewalks, parking lots, garages, and intersections. With pedestrians and drivers in the same area, mistakes from either party can lead to a pedestrian accident.
These types of personal injury accidents can occur at nighttime. Drivers may not be able to see the pedestrian in a place without adequate street lights, and they may crash into the pedestrian.
The National Safety Council (NSC) analyzed the NHTSA’s study on pedestrian accidents to identify what types of settings have the most pedestrian accidents. The following are some places where pedestrian accidents can happen:
- Urban settings (84%)
- Open roads (77%)
- During nighttime or at locations without lights (74%)
- At intersections (23%)
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?
The two most common causes of pedestrian accidents are drunk driving and speeding. According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), about 46% of pedestrian deaths in 2019 resulted from a driver or pedestrian being drunk. Drugs, alcohol, and heavy medication can lead to poor judgment, decision-making, and vision. This can lead to a driver or pedestrian making a mistake that can cause a pedestrian accident.
A speeding driver can cause a pedestrian accident when they drive above the speed limit and crash into a pedestrian. When a driver goes above the speed limit, they may not realize they are at a red light. During the red light, the pedestrian could have the right-of-way to cross the street. A speeding driver can run the red light and crash into the pedestrian. This can lead to serious injuries that can cause long-term negative health consequences.
How Can a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help With Your Claim?
Pedestrian accident victims can suffer damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They can pursue compensation through a pedestrian accident claim. Hiring a lawyer to handle the claim can help. They know how to hold a negligent party accountable for their actions. They’ve seen multiple pedestrian accident claim processes and know the best way to maximize your chance of recovering fair compensatory damages.
The following are some ways a pedestrian accident lawyer can help with your claim:
- Calculate the value of your pedestrian accident claim
- Determine who caused the pedestrian accident
- Identify negligent behavior that could leave the at-fault party liable for damages
- File the pedestrian accident claim
- Gather evidence to prove your claim
- Speak to eyewitnesses and expert witnesses
- Negotiate a pedestrian accident settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Represent you in court
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Pedestrian Accident Claim
The Russo Firm’s pedestrian accident lawyers have decades of experience. We have a proven track record of earning fair compensatory damages for pedestrians that suffer severe injuries. We understand how the negligence of a driver can lead to negative effects.
Our pedestrian accident lawyers want to help you recover compensation for your damages. We’ll craft a personalized legal counsel plan together. We want to work with you to ensure we thoroughly represent your interests. And we’ll handle the claims process properly while you worry about recovering from your injuries. Contact us for a free pedestrian accident case evaluation at (561) 270-0913 or on our online contact page.
