Pedestrian accidents are one of the most serious vehicle accidents that can occur in Virginia. Since there is nothing to prevent a pedestrian from the full impact of the vehicle hitting them, many pedestrian accident victims often suffer serious injuries that leave them with permanent disabilities. Far too many victims die from their injuries. According to national statistics, approximately 7,000 pedestrians are killed each year, while another 104,000 end up in emergency rooms for treatment of non-fatal injuries.
Here in Virginia, pedestrian accident deaths reached a record high last year – 125 people were killed in pedestrian accidents. Even more alarming is that Virginia is on track for that record to be broken in 2022.
Multiple studies have shown that elderly pedestrians have the highest mortality rate of all pedestrian accident victims. Older pedestrians are at a considerably greater risk than their younger counterparts when are out walking – the pedestrian fatality rate for people over 60 years old is 2.5 times higher than for people under 60.
Study Results
One study tracked data from a 10-year period that revealed that 38 percent of pedestrian fatalities over that decade were people aged 60 or over, despite the fact that that age group made up only 17.5 percent of the population during the study’s timeframe. The numbers were even worse for pedestrians ages 75 and older, who accounted for only six percent of the population, but 18 percent of the pedestrian deaths.
So why are seniors more vulnerable to fatal traffic accidents? Researchers say that seniors often suffer from decreased bone density. This means that their bones are more prone to breaking as a result of a traffic accident. These broken bones can often cause other complications like organ damage or infections that can eventually lead to death.
Second, seniors lack the mobility of younger pedestrians. This can make it more difficult for them to react to changing traffic conditions or to avoid being hit by cars that they did not see coming.
Recommended Safety Measures
The safety recommendations for older pedestrians in the above study were mainly comprised of “simple roadway improvements.” For instance, creating more clearly marked crosswalks would let cars see older pedestrians on the road more easily. Similarly, adding time to the walk cycles at crosswalks and widening pedestrian islands would provide more safe spaces for older pedestrians during the crossing. These changes become more even more important as Virginia’s elderly population continues to increase.
New Interactive Map
Recently, our Virginia personal injury law firm announced the publication of a new interactive map that reveals the most dangerous areas for pedestrians in the state.
The map was created using data collected from the Virginia Department of Transportation on pedestrian accidents that occurred between January 1, 2015, and June 30, 2022. Our zone analysis grouped pedestrian crashes that occurred within 250 feet of one another. You can see the results of that study here: The Most Dangerous Areas for Pedestrians in Virginia.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm
If you or an elderly loved one was recently the victim of a pedestrian accident, reach out to a dedicated Virginia pedestrian accident attorney today. Our firm’s skilled team of professionals can help you understand your legal options for the injuries that were suffered. Victims of pedestrian accidents are often entitled to financial compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and any other losses that were caused by the accident.
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we have extensive experience in pedestrian accidents and are dedicated to getting our clients the financial compensation they deserve, like the $227,000 pedestrian personal injury settlement our firm was able to obtain for one client who suffered a heart seizure while undergoing surgery to repair the broken leg he incurred when a driver hit him in a crosswalk.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with one of our seasoned Virginia personal injury attorneys and find out what legal options you may have.
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