Lawyers for Pedestrian Hit By Car Injured

HIT BY CAR WHILE WALKING ON ROAD? 

On average, 20 pedestrians were hit and killed by motorists each day in the United States last year.  (Estimates compiled by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)). That totals 7,485 people for the year.  It is the highest number of pedestrian fatalities recorded in the past four decades. It is truly surprising how frequently cars hit people walking on the street.

Lawyers for Pedestrian Hit By Car
Lawyers for Pedestrian Hit By Car

The GHSA’s preliminary data indicates there were 2.32 pedestrian deaths per billion vehicle miles traveled in 2021. Certainly, last year’s numbers were an anomaly due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. However, they are “well above the pre-pandemic average of 1.9.” The fatality rate per 100,000 people similarly increased in 2021, rising to 2.26 from 2.02 the year before. The number of pedestrian injury cases have been increasing as well.

Data analyzed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates “the percentage of speeding-related pedestrian crashes involving children ages 15 and younger more than doubled in the previous three years.”

CAUSES OF PEDESTRIAN CAR ACCIDENTS

Speeding is cited as a major contributing factor in rising pedestrian death tolls. According to the GHSA, “The average risk of death for pedestrians increases exponentially the faster a vehicle is traveling. It goes from 10% at 23 mph to 90% at 58 mph.” Of course, distracted driving and impairment of either the driver or the pedestrian are also frequently factors.

Earlier this year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found an alarming trend indicating that pickup trucks and SUVs are significantly more likely to be involved in pedestrian fatalities than smaller cars. The heavier weight and reduced visibility of big and tall vehicles is cited as a contributing factor to pedestrian fatalities by the GHSA report. Of course anytime a car hits a person, there is likely to be a serious injury. The Minnesota Department of Transportation also has a number of articles on pedestrian car accidents. There are also specific laws regarding a pedestrian’s rights and duties while walking on the road.

INJURY LAWYER PAM ROCHLIN

Pam Rochlin is a top rated injury lawyer with 25 years’ experience. She has represented numerous innocent people who were hit by a car. If you were hit by a car while walking on a road or crossing the street, call us for a free consultation. The insurance issues can be complicated. However, we will take the time to answer your questions and make sure you understand everything. The primary focus of our lawyers is to make sure you get the compensation you are entitled to.