Pedestrian accidents occur when motor vehicles intentionally or unintentionally hits an individual crossing the street, standing on a corner, or simply walking along a sidewalk. At any moment, a car or truck can lose control and strike a passersby as he or she is walking to work or school. It happens every day. More than 4,200 people die every year in the United States being struck by automobiles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Approximately 70,000 pedestrians are personally injured annually, most of which are hospitalized for their injuries. According to the City Pedestrian Safety Study & Action Plan, “pedestrians are 10 times more likely to die than a motor vehicle occupant in the event of a crash.”
If you or anyone you know has been seriously injured due to a pedestrian accident, please contact our Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
The Dangers of Pedestrianism
Walking around town to the grocery store or post office isn’t as safe as it used to be. Simply going on foot to work or school is more dangerous today than it has ever been due to the increasing number of motor vehicles congesting rural and metropolitan areas of . With nearly 30% of pedestrian fatalities due to a driver failing to yield when a pedestrian is crossing the street, taking a stroll has become more of a hazard than a pleasant afternoon past-time. Approximately 10-20 pedestrians are killed every year. In many areas of the city, sidewalks are not properly buffered from the danger speeding vehicles present only feet and sometimes inches away.
Pedestrians are under constant threat from aggressive drivers who refuse to yield right of way. Drunken drivers and distracted or inattentive drivers also pose a great risk to pedestrians. Nearly half of all pedestrian fatalities occur on weekends when people are more relaxed and not under the stress of their weekday work schedule. This simple fact results in many individuals letting their guards down and forgetting the potential dangers of pedestrianism. In , 80% of serious pedestrian accidents involve private vehicles, not public service ones like buses or taxis. No matter how many safety precautions are in place, pedestrian accidents can occur in the blink of an eye.
Common spots where pedestrian accidents occur include:
Crosswalks
Sidewalk
Intersection
Busy Streets/Avenues
Busy Garage
Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accident injuries range the gamut from minor injuries like bruising and scratches to catastrophic injuries resulting in permanent disabilities. Pedestrians are ten times more likely to die in this type of accident than in car-to-car accidents.
The most frequent types of injuries received during pedestrian accidents include:
Broken Bones
Traumatic Brain Injury
Spinal Cord Injuries
Road Burn
Bruises
Internal Bleeding
Getting Legal Help
Being struck by a motor vehicle while walking to the park or the local shopping area can result in lifelong consequences. Every year, thousands of pedestrians are hit by cars through no fault of their own. Our experienced legal team can help provide you with all the legal options available to you from seeking justice to receiving compensation for your injuries. Please contact our Personal Injury Lawyers today.
