Pedestrian Injury

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,884 pedestrians were killed in crashes with motor vehicles—another 65,000 pedestrians sustained moderate to severe injuries after being struck by a motor vehicle. Although the number of pedestrian accidents decreased for the two decades prior to 2012, that trend reversed in 2012, and the numbers began climbing. Further statistics regarding pedestrian accidents include the following:

• The majority of pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas (73 percent);
• Males are overwhelmingly the victims of pedestrian fatalities at 70 percent;
• The average age of pedestrians who are killed in an auto accident is 47;
• About 14 percent of the drivers involved in pedestrian crashes had a BAC above the legal limit, and
• Texas, Florida and California report the most pedestrian fatalities in the nation.

Children are at a particular risk for being struck by an automobile for two reasons: smaller children may pull away from their parents and dart across a busy street, unaware of the dangers, and school age children are often at risk walking to and from school, or getting on and off the school bus.

Those who have been injured in a pedestrian accident are likely to be seriously injured. After all, a human being with no protection is no match for a 3,500-pound metal and glass vehicle. The attorneys at Coxwell & Associates are well-aware of the many challenges you may face as an injured pedestrian following your accident which was the result of a negligent driver. We understand that medical expenses could be extremely high, and that you may be hurt so severely you are unable to return to work. Our attorneys are committed to ensuring you receive the best settlement possible, allowing you to once more look forward to your future.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

The primary causes of pedestrian accidents are the result of one of the following:

An ever-increasing number of multi-tasking drivers are a factor in all accidents, but perhaps pedestrian accidents in particular. Drivers may be texting, talking on their cell phones, eating, talking to passengers in the vehicle, changing radio stations, looking for a parking space, or turning around to monitor the children. All of these behaviors can have tragic consequences when an unsuspecting pedestrian is in the vicinity. 

Where Most Pedestrian Accidents Occur 

As you would expect, the majority of pedestrian accidents occur in areas where pedestrian activity is particularly concentrated. That being said, there is a higher ratio of deaths to injuries when a pedestrian accident occurs on a rural road, largely due to higher speeds and reduced hospital access. Older pedestrian deaths are more likely to occur in intersections, because older pedestrians may cross the intersection more slowly, or have a slower reaction time and/or diminished vision. About half of all pedestrian/vehicle accidents occur in an intersection, with the vehicle traveling straight, and the pedestrian crossing, either in a marked or unmarked intersection. Overall, walking at night or crossing a road results in the largest number of pedestrian deaths and injuries.