High Risk of Death in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are some of the most dangerous traffic accidents that can occur. Pedestrians are at more of a risk than other motorists for serious injuries because of the lack of protection that is given to those in motor vehicles. Because of this, pedestrian accidents result in fatal injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 6,700 people killed in pedestrian accidents in 2020, an increase of nearly 5 percent from 2019. The NHTSA has focused efforts on reducing pedestrian accidents and has identified certain factors that are commonly present during pedestrian accidents in the U.S. Here are a few things that have been discovered about the risk factors for pedestrian accidents.

Gender Matters

When it comes to pedestrian accidents, studies have shown that males are more likely to be killed in crashes than females. The NHTSA has found that more than two-thirds or around 70 percent of pedestrians killed in traffic accidents are men. In fact, the overall male fatality rate for pedestrian accidents for every 100,000 people is 2.60, which is more than double the rate for females, which is around 1.07.

Environmental Factors Play a Big Role

Some of the most serious factors that can increase the chance of a pedestrian accident are environmental factors such as the location of the pedestrian, the amount of daylight present. A majority of pedestrian accidents, or around 75 percent, occur at places other than intersections, where pedestrians are expected to be. Additionally, around three-quarters or 75 percent of pedestrian accidents occur when it is dark outside. That rate has actually increased by more than 50 percent over the past decade.

Alcohol Involvement Increases the Chance of an Accident

As with any type of activity involving vehicles, the prevalence of alcohol usage increases the chance of an accident occurring. In nearly half of all pedestrian accidents, alcohol usage is recorded by either the driver or the pedestrian. In more than 30 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents, the driver was recorded with a BAC of .08 or more.

Have You Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you have may be able to pursue compensation that will address your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.

The Virginia pedestrian accident attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp have been advocating for victims and their families for more than 30 years, using all available resources to successfully obtain the best possible outcome under the circumstances of the case. Our attorneys have built solid reputations as skilled negotiators who will not hesitate to pursue litigation if the insurance company fails to negotiate in good faith. Call our office today for a free case evaluation and to find out how our legal team can help get you the financial compensation you deserve.

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