According to a recent report from GHSA, the Governors Highway Safety Association, the total number of pedestrian wrongful death and injury accidents have increased significantly in the past decade. In fact, the number of wrongful death accidents due to pedestrian’s being hit has increased by 19 percent between the years of 2009 and 2014. Unfortunately, it is now clear that pedestrian deaths are now at the largest proportion when compared to all the other types of car accident fatalities for the past quarter of a century.
What the Study Says about Pedestrian Accidents
According to the aforementioned study, there has been an increase of 10 percent to the total number of pedestrian wrongful death accidents in 2015, compared to 2014, and these trends seem to be similar to what is happening between the years of 2016 and 2017, but the data for these years is not yet in place. In fact, the number of pedestrian wrongful death accidents have increased at a consistent rate of approximately 13 percent each year, since 2005.
What is somewhat surprising is that the state of Florida is considered one of just four states that account for almost 40 percent of all pedestrian versus motor vehicle deaths, with the other states being New York, Texas and California.
What is Causing More Pedestrian Accidents?
While the state has taken steps to help reduce occurrences of pedestrian accidents, the numbers are still going up. Many attribute this increase to the use of more and more technological innovations, which result in more people being distracted while behind the wheel. Some of the steps that the state has taken to reduce these deaths and injuries to pedestrians include:
- Increasing the police presence
- Providing more pedestrian education
- Encouraging drivers to avoid using their phones while behind the wheel
In addition to cases of distracted driving resulting in pedestrian injuries and deaths, alcohol use also plays a role, as well as pedestrians who don’t pay attention to what is going on around them. In fact, these two factors alone account for approximately 50 percent of all pedestrian accidents that occur in the state of Florida today.
Attempts to Prevent Pedestrian Accidents
In the state, there have been steps taken to help safeguard pedestrians. Some of the methods that are being used today include:
- Increasing the use of traffic signals
- Providing signs on roadway overpasses
- Providing pedestrian islands
Unfortunately, these efforts have not been as effective as many in the state would have liked, with a large number of people still suffering injuries and death due to these accidents.
What to Do If You are Involved in a Pedestrian Accident?
If you are ever involved in a pedestrian accident, or someone you love is killed because of this, then you may have the right to file a claim against the responsible party. The best way to know if this is possible is to contact an attorney who has prior experience with these types of cases. They can review the information of your case and help you proceed if a lawsuit is a viable option.
If you need help after a pedestrian accident, contact the team of attorneys from Fetterman & Associates by calling 561-845-2510.
Additional Reading
Driver Error is the Most Dangerous Behavior for Car Accident Personal Injury Claims
What You Need to Know About Vehicle Defects that Cause Car Accidents