People who are involved in motor vehicle collisions can suffer multiple types of serious injuries. Pedestrian accidents are among the most dangerous types of collisions, and a person who is struck by a car, truck, bus, or other vehicles can suffer severe bodily injuries or wrongful death. Victims of these types of accidents may be able to pursue compensation from a negligent driver. An experienced personal injury attorney can help victims gather evidence to demonstrate that a driver was liable for their injuries, as well as documentation of the injuries and damages they have experienced as a result of being struck by a vehicle.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Between 2010 and 2019, the number of fatalities in pedestrian accidents increased by 46 percent. More than 6,000 pedestrians were killed in collisions on public roads in 2019. When non-traffic fatalities are considered, including those that occurred in parking lots or driveways or on private property, pedestrian accidents accounted for a total of more than 7,500 deaths. In addition to fatalities, more than 100,000 people receive emergency medical treatment each year for non-fatal injuries in pedestrian accidents.
Elderly adults and children are at a higher risk of being involved in pedestrian accidents. People over the age of 65 account for around 20 percent of pedestrian fatalities and 10 percent of pedestrian injuries. Around one in five deaths of children under the age of 15 in motor vehicle collisions occur in pedestrian accidents. Race and socioeconomic status are also risk factors in pedestrian accidents. Non-white people experience a higher proportion of pedestrian fatalities than would be expected based on their share of the national population. Studies have also found that pedestrian accidents are four times more likely to occur in poor neighborhoods.
While intersections can be dangerous, and pedestrians may be injured by drivers who do not obey traffic signals or fail to watch for people in crosswalks, the majority of fatal pedestrian accidents occur in areas other than intersections. In 2019, 63 percent of pedestrian fatalities took place on non-freeway arterial roads that carry local and regional traffic through cities and towns, and 21 percent of these accidents took place on local streets that serve residential neighborhoods and downtown areas. Pedestrian accidents are also more likely to take place at night, with around 75 percent of fatalities occurring after dark.
Contact Our Appleton Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one have been struck by a vehicle, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. There can be crucial timing constraints with collecting and preserving evidence, obtaining witness statements, and reporting requirements. Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd. can help you determine your options for recovering compensation. We will act quickly to ensure that evidence is gathered and preserved. We will work to obtain all relevant evidence, including recordings of calls to 911, reports from police officers, statements from witnesses, and security camera footage. To schedule a complimentary consultation with our Green Bay pedestrian accident attorneys, contact our office at 920-739-7366.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/pedestrian_safety/index.html
https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/pedestrians/
https://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/Ped%20Spotlight%202021%20FINAL%203.23.21.pdf