Within recent years, studies from the U.S. Department of Transportation have found that close to 6,000 pedestrians were killed each year due to car accidents. These studies have also revealed that motor vehicle collisions rank as one of the top leading causes of unintentional death in the United States, creating an even clearer perspective on the scope of pedestrian accident risks on our roadways. Because they have little protection from injury, pedestrians are particularly vulnerable, and they must often rely on their own self-awareness to protect themselves on the streets.

Tips for a Safe Commute

Whether you walk on a daily basis or you only choose walking as a mode of transportation under special circumstances, you are likely to be a pedestrian at one time or another. Being proactive is key to ensuring your safety as you get around on foot, and the most effective way to do this is to remain alert and aware of your surroundings. Sadly, the motorists who cause many pedestrian injuries are often distracted themselves. Negligent drivers can place you at increased risk during your commute, but you can protect yourself in the following ways:

While we commonly hear of driver and passenger death and injury statistics in the news when the subject of car accidents arises, the reality is that pedestrians are just as affected by automobile crashes, making up a large portion of the collision statistics reported each year. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells us that pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed in a car crash than passenger vehicle occupants. Pedestrian accidents in the year 2016 alone claimed nearly 6,000 lives in the United States, and in 2015, around 130,000 pedestrians needed emergency treatment. The nature and number of incidents evolve each year as the CDC releases the latest reports, but all of these statistics point to one common denominator: certain factors put pedestrians at higher risk for injury.

What Increases the Chances of a Pedestrian Accident?

Just how close is someone to becoming a statistic in a pedestrian accident? Research has shown that the following factors can place an individual in harm's way while walking outdoors:

One Sunday evening, 39-year-old Jerry Stern was riding his bike on a popular woody path. When he neared the end of the path, instead of turning around, he walked with his bicycle across Interstate 10 when a Toyota minivan drove up behind him struck him as he was crossing. The driver was traveling eastbound on I-10 when he hit the victim, who died at the scene. The cab driver is not injured but is under investigation pending the results of blood and alcohol tests.

What if I am Hurt by a Motor Vehicle?

Drivers have a duty to drive safely and lawfully. If traffic laws do not apply, the driver has the responsibility to act reasonably and prudently under the circumstances. Failure to do this is negligence, and you deserve to be compensated for your injuries.