Auto Accident Lawyer

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data indicates that in 2016 there were 5,987 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in the United States. A total of 5,900 traffic crashes had one or more pedestrian fatalities. On average, a pedestrian was killed every 1.5 hours in traffic crashes, as a pedestrian accident lawyer Phoenix, AZ relies on knows well.

The 5,987 pedestrian fatalities in 2016 were a 9-percent increase from 5,495 pedestrian fatalities in 2015. In 2016, 16 percent of all traffic fatalities were pedestrians, according to NHTSA.

Pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to be killed in a car crash on each trip, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

More pedestrians’ fatalities occurred in urban areas (76%) than rural areas (24%). Fewer pedestrian fatalities occurred at intersections (18%) than at non-intersections (72%); most pedestrian fatalities occurred in the dark (75%) than in daylight (22%), dusk (2%), and dawn (1%).

The most vulnerable victims of pedestrian injuries and deaths include those ages 65 and older.

More than one in every five children between the ages of 5 and 15 who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reports that each year there are over 600 child pedestrian fatalities. Pedestrian injuries are one of the leading causes of injury related deaths for children in the United States.

Children do not appreciate traffic risks and rules. Children under 2 years of age suffer the highest number of injuries as pedestrians. Risk factors include reduced visibility for drivers and children, streets with higher speed limits, streets with many parked cars, and streets without crosswalk signals.

Prevention practices include teaching children not to cross streets by themselves, modeling behavior by crossing at street corners and following traffic signals and teaching children to look left, right and to continue looking while crossing a street.

Children need adults to provide guidance and supervision. Unfortunately, a child may see a driver, however the driver may not see the child, the driver may be distracted.

NHTSA Safety reminders for pedestrians include the following:

• Walk on a sidewalk or path when one is available.
• Be cautious, night and day when sharing the road with vehicles. Never assume a driver sees you (he or she could be distracted, under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, or just not see you).
• Be predictable. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections when possible, this is where drivers expect pedestrians.
• If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area, wait for a gap in traffic that allows you enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for traffic as you cross.

NHTSA Safety reminders for drivers also include:

• Look for pedestrians everywhere. Pedestrians may not be walking where they should be or may be hard to see – especially in poorly lit conditions, including dusk/dawn/night and poor weather.
• Always stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk or where pedestrian crosswalk signs are posted.
• Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk, they may be stopped to allow pedestrians to cross the street.
• Slow down and look for pedestrians, be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Follow the speed limit; slow down around pedestrians.

Thank you to our friends and contributors at the Law Office of Paul Englander, PLC for their insight into pedestrians and car accidents.