According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Authority (NHTSA), an estimated 7,388 people died across the US in 2023 as a result of being injured in a pedestrian accident. On top of that, more than 60,000 people suffered serious injuries in these types of accidents, making up around 16 to 17% of all motor vehicle injuries and fatalities. But how exactly do pedestrian accidents lead to these sorts of serious injuries, and what can be done to prevent them?
What Are Pedestrian Accidents?
In simple terms, pedestrian accidents are any type of auto accident that involves one or more people who were walking in or around the road at the time of the accident. Typically, these accidents occur at intersections and crosswalks, though they may also occur when people walk along the side of the road in places where there are no sidewalks. On rarer occasions, they may also occur when a motorist veers off the road, such as may occur in a drunk driving accident or in circumstances where a driver suffers a serious mechanical failure.
Why Are Pedestrian Accidents So Dangerous?
Pedestrian accidents result in a disproportionately high number of serious injuries and deaths for the simple reason that most pedestrians are unprotected from the force of an auto collision. While motorists in cars and trucks can expect to benefit from things like seatbelts, airbags, and crumple zones to help limit the harm they suffer, pedestrians have no such safeguards. This dramatically increases the odds of injuries like broken bones, dislocations, muscle tears, and organ damage, as well as problems like spinal injuries or traumatic brain injuries.
What Can Cause Pedestrian Accidents?
While there is no one factor that can definitively cause a pedestrian accident, there are a number of issues that are commonly cited as contributing factors. First, a disproportionately high number of accidents tend to occur at night, when visibility is poor, and bad weather can also significantly increase the chances of an accident. Additionally, many of these accidents are caused by drunk or intoxicated drivers, who are less likely to be able to avoid a collision with a pedestrian when they encounter them in the road.
What Should You Do if You Get in an Accident?
If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, or any other motor vehicle accident, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling personal injury matters. They can help review your case and ensure you get the best possible outcome for your circumstances. The sooner you call, the sooner they can get to work for you.
For more than 50 years, the New York lawyers at Elovich and Adell have represented clients like you in personal injury cases. Our attorneys, conveniently located in Long Beach, handle personal injury, real estate, commercial transactions, criminal defense, and labor and employment claims all across New York State. For a consultation, please call us at 516-432-6263 or visit our contact page for more information.
