Our parents frequently warned us when we were kids about the dangers of playing in the road. New research is proving they were right all along. The studies show that even walking on the streets as an adult may not be as safe as we once thought it was. According to new statistics, pedestrian traffic deaths are on the rise, and more people got killed in 2018 than in any year since the 1990s.
How Many Pedestrians are Losing their Lives?
According to research put together by the Governors Highway Safety Association, more than 6,000 pedestrians were killed in the United States in 2018 alone. This number doesn’t even include those who were hit but didn’t suffer fatal injuries. The startling statistics reveal a 4% increase in pedestrian deaths since 2017 and a 35% jump over the last ten years.
Why the Rise in Accidents?
Researchers have suggested that an increase in larger vehicles on our roads is going hand-in-hand with the rising number of fatalities involving pedestrians. SUVs are increasingly more popular with motorists, and they play a significant role in accident-related pedestrian deaths, with a 50% rise in fatalities associated with SUVs compared to just a 30% rise in car-pedestrian deaths.
Not only are large vehicles increasingly the cause of these accidents, but smartphones are also taking some of the blame for the growing number of pedestrian deaths. With more people distracted by their phones, that’s been putting more and more pedestrians in dangerous situations, while making drivers less observant. The results have been deadly.
Drunk driving also plays a role in these grim statistics, with about half of all pedestrian fatalities involving some sort of alcohol use by either the driver or the pedestrian.
What to Do if You’re Hurt
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident after being hit by a car, there’s still hope that you can have a secure future. Laws hold negligent drivers accountable for the accidents on our roads, and those deemed responsible are forced to pay damages that include covering the medical bills of the victims, along with compensation for their pain and suffering.
Losing a Loved One to a Pedestrian Accident
If you’ve lost a loved one during a pedestrian accident, you can still receive compensation through a wrongful death claim. The funds that you receive can help cover medical bills, expenses, and provide the family with money to continue maintaining their normal way of life.
If you’ve been injured in an accident where you were a pedestrian hit by a vehicle, it’s important not to wait or hesitate about filing your claim. Contact an attorney today and get started on the road toward receiving the financial compensation that you deserve.
Experienced Kansas Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Southwest Kansas pedestrian accident lawyer Joseph T. Welsh has handled cases like yours. If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, let Joe put his knowledge of the legal system and of how insurance companies operate to work for you.
Joseph T. Welsh, Attorney at Law is a former U.S. District Attorney for the District of Kansas, and he has extensive experience with arbitration and mediation in and out of the courtroom. Contact his office today at (620) 510-5030 for a free consultation.