Pedestrian accidents are an unfortunate and common occurrence here in the United States. In 2017, there were 5,977 pedestrians killed in traffic accidents. That same year, roughly 137,000 pedestrians were treated for nonfatal injuries sustained in traffic accidents.
Causes of accidents
Several factors contribute to the prevalence of crashes involving pedestrians. The leading cause is alcohol; 47% of all crashes resulting in the death of a pedestrian involved the consumption of alcohol.
High vehicle speeds contributed to the likelihood of a pedestrian being struck, as well as the severity of their injury. Urban areas and non-intersection streets also have a higher rate of pedestrian deaths. Night time impairment also contributes to the rate of fatal pedestrian collisions.
Driving safety tips
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has several safety tips for responsible driving. Some of these tips can curb the likelihood of pedestrian collisions. One tip is to slow down and stop when turning or entering a crosswalk.
Another tip is to never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk, as there may be people using the crosswalk that a driver can’t see. A third tip is to be extra cautious when backing up – pedestrians could be moving behind the vehicle.
Aftermath of a crash
An accident involving a pedestrian can lead to serious physical injury if not outright death for the pedestrian. Some of those injuries could include broken bones, back, neck, spine, and/or traumatic brain injuries. Any one of those injuries can mean significant medical costs, lost wages, loss of mobility, etc.
In short, it can devastate a person’s life financially, physically, and mentally. Financial recovery, at least, is possible through a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. Beyond recovery of present financial costs, a personal injury lawsuit can also help an injured pedestrian pay for the future costs they will incur because of their injury.