The Governors Highway Safety Association recently released some depressing statistics: There are more pedestrian accidents – both with injuries and fatal accidents – than have ever been reported. The report points to several reasons for the increase. Keep reading to learn more. If you have been injured in this or another type of accident, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
More on the Statistics
First, let us take a closer look at the statistics. The study looked at 2018 traffic statistics and found that more than 6,200 people were killed in pedestrian accidents throughout the country. This is a 4% increase from the previous year and the highest number since 1990.
The GHSA got even worse, when it pointed out that pedestrian fatalities have increased by 35% compared to 2008. Just a few states – Arizona, Georgia, California, and Florida – make up for nearly 50% of all fatal accidents. California led the pack with 432 fatalities – the highest ever reported.
As is generally the case, more fatal pedestrian cases involved SUVs, due to their size and weight. From 2013 to 2018, the number of pedestrian fatalities involving SUVs increased by 50%, compared to a 30% jump in fatal pedestrian accidents involving passenger cars.
Factors That Likely Led to an Increase in Pedestrian Accidents
While there is no way to be 100% certain, there are several factors that likely led to the increase in pedestrian accidents. First, as we discussed above, SUVs are much more likely to cause pedestrian accidents, and there are an increasing number of SUVs on the road.
Second, more people are walking than in the past. A different study showed that from 2007 to 2016 the number of people who walk to work increased by 4%. Interestingly, nighttime accidents went up more than daytime accidents – nighttime fatal accidents increased 45% between 2007 to 2017 compared to an 11% increase in daytime fatalities in the same time period.
Finally, drivers are much more likely to have smartphones than they were in 2007 – and so are pedestrians. Drivers may not have their eyes on the road and pedestrians may not be looking as closely as they could when they cross the street, all because they are focusing on their smartphones.
Have You Been Affected by a Pedestrian Accident?
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, or have lost a loved one in a fatal pedestrian accident, we welcome you to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation. We can give an honest, legal opinion on whether or not your case is likely to succeed. If we believe it, we may take it on. We would do so on a contingency basis, which means you would not pay anything until we win your case – and pay nothing at all if we did not win it.
