The Facts About Pedestrian Accidents

Every now and then, everybody needs to take a little bit of a walk to get from Point A to Point B. Whether you’re taking a walk out of necessity or just for fun, everybody is a pedestrian at some point in their lives. Walking is supposed to be a simple way to get around and get some exercise, but lately, there has been an alarming increase in the amount of fatal pedestrian accidents in the United States.

In a 2019 report published by the GHSA, 6,227 pedestrians were killed in accidents involving cars and other motor vehicles in 2018, the highest that number has been since 1990. And that doesn’t even include the number of pedestrians who were non-fatally injured in accidents.

What’s Causing the Increase of Pedestrian Accidents & Fatalities?

In many cases, pedestrian accidents are the fault of the driver of the car. Pedestrians can easily be hit if a driver if a driver fails to yield the right-of-way or if a driver simply fails to see a pedestrian in time. Distracted driving may be another reason why fatal pedestrian accidents are on the rise. If a driver is too busy looking at their phone, they might not see a pedestrian crossing a street as they’re supposed to.

Some traffic safety experts also believe that fatal pedestrian accidents might be on the rise because of the types of cars people drive. According to the GHSA, the number of SUVs involved in pedestrian deaths has increased 50% since 2013. Since SUVs are larger and heavier than sedans, they tend to cause more severe injuries.

Alcohol is another factor in many pedestrian accidents. Approximately 17% of fatal pedestrian accidents involved a driver with a BAC level of 0.08 or higher.

Where Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Occur?

While pedestrian accidents can potentially happen any place where cars and pedestrians are both found, they tend to be most common in urban areas. According to the 2019 GHSA report, about 60% of pedestrian fatalities occurred on local streets and state highways. Pedestrian accidents also tend to be most common after dark. Between 2008 and 2017, nighttime pedestrian accidents increased 45% while daytime accidents increased 11%.

Who is Most at Risk for Pedestrian Accidents?

Anyone who is a pedestrian faces the risk of being hit by a car, but statistically speaking, certain age groups tend to have a higher rate of fatal pedestrian accidents. According to the CDC, pedestrians age 65 and older accounted for 20% of all pedestrian deaths in 2016.

When a pedestrian is hit by a car, the results can be devastating. Even if the accident isn’t fatal, pedestrian accidents can result in a multitude of very serious injuries.If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, don’t hesitate to contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Goodwin & Scieszka, you’ll be able to speak to a lawyer experienced in Michigan car accident law. Contact us today to get help with your case today.