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Pedestrian accidents are increasingly common and have a high potential to cause a pedestrian’s death. Over the last few years, the number of accidents involving pedestrians has soared, with many of the pedestrians being killed as a result of the injuries sustained in the accident. Those who do plan on walking will want to understand the statistics and learn more about how to stay safe and prevent becoming the victim of an accident.
Increase in Pedestrian Fatalities
Over the last couple of years, there has been a dramatic increase in pedestrian fatalities. Estimates show that 2015 to 2019 were the deadliest years for pedestrians in the last four years. With more people deciding to walk and get exercise during the pandemic, the U.S. saw another jump in pedestrian accidents and fatalities. Those who are injured in an accident like this have the option of speaking with a lawyer like Michael T. Gibson P.A. to get help obtaining compensation for their injuries. If the pedestrian is killed, the next of kin may be able to receive compensation.
Night Time is More Dangerous
Studies have shown that walking at night is more dangerous than during the day due to reduced visibility. Statistics for pedestrian fatalities show that around 75% of pedestrians killed in an accident with a vehicle were killed at night. Anyone who is walking at night will want to take the proper precautions to be as safe as possible. This includes walking in well-lit areas, wearing reflective clothing, and paying close attention to traffic at all times. If it’s not possible to avoid walking at night, taking the right precautions can help prevent an accident.
Most Accidents Do Not Occur at an Intersection
While it’s common to hear about accidents that occur when a pedestrian is attempting to cross the road, these only account for around 25% of pedestrian fatalities. Around 74% of pedestrian fatalities occur somewhere other than at an intersection. This could be due to the pedestrian attempting to cross the road, a pedestrian walking in the road, a vehicle going off the road, or for other reasons. Crossing at the crosswalk is always the safest option for pedestrians. When crossing, it is important to not only pay attention to the signals but to keep an eye out for vehicles that may not yield.
Alcohol Impairment and Accidents
Drugs and alcohol contribute to a high number of pedestrian accidents. This can include the driver or the pedestrian being under the influence. Driving under the influence is known to have a high potential for causing an accident. Walking while under the influence is more difficult than many might believe, and it’s easy to fall or end up crossing the road without looking for traffic, which could cause an accident. In 2020, around 32% of pedestrians killed in a traffic accident were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Around 13% of pedestrian fatalities involved drivers who were under the influence at the time.
Roads are incredibly unsafe for pedestrians, and this has caused the number of pedestrian accidents and fatalities to increase significantly over the past few years. It is more important now than ever before for pedestrians to take steps to protect themselves by walking. If a pedestrian is injured in an accident that was not their fault, they can work with a lawyer to request compensation from the at-fault driver.
