When you walk near moving vehicles, it is crucial to recognize the risks that you face. Whether you find yourself in a parking lot or alongside a busy street, you become particularly vulnerable as a pedestrian. Sadly, many pedestrians lose their lives when these accidents take place each year.
Reviewing statistics on pedestrian fatalities is crucial for drivers as well as those who walk near traffic. It is also important to go over some of the reasons why these accidents continue to claim so many lives.
Data on pedestrian deaths
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that over 7,000 pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2020. Out of all the traffic accident deaths throughout 2020, pedestrians represented one out of every six fatalities, or roughly one fatality every 75 minutes.
In 2019, alcohol played a role in 46% of fatal pedestrian accidents. Sadly, driver negligence causes many of these fatalities, and those who show no regard for traffic safety guidelines must face consequences when their negligent behavior leads to a death.
Fatal pedestrian accident risk factors
The CDC reports that high speeds make pedestrian accidents more likely and increase the severity of an accident. Aside from speeding, other factors increase the chances of a pedestrian losing his or her life. A majority of fatal pedestrian accidents take place outside of intersections and on roads in urban places. However, it is essential to remember that fatal pedestrian accidents can happen wherever moving vehicles are present.
If you lost someone in your family as a result of a pedestrian accident, you could face different challenges, such as unmanageable emotional pain and financial hardships. Examine your options and the details of the fatal pedestrian accident carefully.