The Hard Reality of Pedestrian Accidents The U.S. Department of Transportation sponsors the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) and according to this agencies website, there were 5,977 pedestrians and 783 bicyclists killed in crashes (2017) with motor vehicles in the United States. Together these vulnerable road users account for a growing share of total US traffic fatalities: in 2003, pedestrians and bicyclists represented 12.6 percent of total traffic fatalities, and in 2017 they accounted for 18.2 percent of fatalities. Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities increased by 32 percent in the ten-year period between 2008 and 2017. During that same time period, total traffic fatalities decreased by 0.8 percent.
Who is getting killed in pedestrian accidents?
A detailed breakdown of the age, gender, and location of pedestrian crash victims is available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) fact sheets. Some of the alarming statistics are:
- 82% of pedestrian deaths in 2020 occurred in urban areas, up from 73 % in 2016.
- 26% of pedestrian deaths in 2020 occurred in crashes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and 25 % occurred between 9 p.m. and midnight.
- On average, a pedestrian was killed nearly every 1.5 hours in traffic crashes in 2016.
- In urban areas, 49% of pedestrian deaths in 2020 occurred on roads with speed limits of 40 mph or less; in rural areas, 17% of deaths occurred on such roads.
Unfortunately, New York is very well represented in these statistics. Approximately one-fourth of all pedestrian deaths take place in California, Florida, Texas and New York. The PBIC reports that 41 percent of all pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. (but only 5 percent of all traffic fatalities) occurred in those four states. This had led to the current NYC Mayor in making a strong push to lower the speed limit in the NYC, in a somewhat desperate effort to lower the danger level for pedestrians. It may not comfort you to know that you have a lot of company as a pedestrian accident victim (or surviving family member) in New York. However, you can take solace in 5 decades of experience when it comes to advocating for injured pedestrians. RGLZ Personal Injury Law is ready to represent your interests in a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Let Us Make Justice Work for You
If you were seriously injured while out and about on foot in New York City or elsewhere, you’ll likely face a long, uphill battle of recovery. If you lost a family member in a fatal pedestrian accident, you may be plagued with questions of “Why?” as well as grappling with expenses and practical losses that go along with the emotional pain of losing a husband, wife, mother, father, son or daughter in an accidental death. Attorneys at RGLZ have decades of experience, and a track record of numerous favorable outcomes for pedestrian accident victims in New York. We are prepared to fight to ensure that you receive all available compensation, at maximum levels. This compensation can help you cope with the expenses and losses associated with a serious injury such as a shoulder or knee injury, a broken leg, a brain injury or a spinal cord injury. All personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no fees to us unless we recover compensation for you. To schedule a free consultation with a Suffolk County personal injury lawyer at RGLZ, call 866-639-5567 or contact us by e-mail. We’ll make justice work for you.
FAQs
What does a typical pedestrian accident case look like?
The most common pedestrian accident involves a pedestrian crossing a street in a walkway/crosswalk and being struck by a motor vehicle. Injuries can be very severe with even a lower impact accident.
What should I do if I’m injured in a pedestrian accident?
The pedestrian who is struck by a car turning in front of him/her needs to attempt to document the incident as best as can possibly be done. This includes taking photos, or having someone take them on behalf of the pedestrian; identifying all witnesses to the incident; calling the police; determining where in the intersection the impact took place; verifying that the walk/do not walk sign was working at the time; and notifying the insurance carrier for the driver of the incident, since the carrier is responsible for the injured party’s bills under the no-fault law in NY.