What You Need to Know about Pedestrian Accidents

by | Nov 6, 2014 | Uncategorized

pWomenCellPhonePreCrash_Dollarphotoclub_30342243-300x199.jpg Large, metropolitan areas like Chicago are home to a number of pedestrians. On any given day, Chicago’s busy roadways are filled with cars, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Unfortunately, pedestrians can also be the victim of traffic accidents. In fact, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2012, 4,743 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States, and another 76,000 pedestrians were injured – which averages to one crash-related pedestrian death every 2 hours and a pedestrian injury every 7 minutes.Perhaps most startling is the fact that pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to be killed in a car crash on each trip.

Who Is Most At Risk for Pedestrian Accidents?

According to the CDC, the following people are most at risk of being injured or killed in a pedestrian accidents:

  • Older adults. The CDC reports that pedestrians ages 65 and older accounted for 20% of all pedestrian deaths and an estimated 9% of all pedestrians injured in 2012.
  • Children. In 2012, more than one in every five children between the ages of 5 and 15 who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians, according to the CDC.
  • Drivers and pedestrians who are alcohol-impaired. Alcohol is involved in approximately 48% of the traffic crashes that resulted in pedestrian death. Where alcohol involvement was reported, 34% of pedestrians killed had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of greater than or equal to .08 and 14% of drivers had a BAC of 0.08 or more, according to the CDC.

Ways to Prevent Pedestrian Accidents

The CDC offers the following safety recommendations for pedestrians:

  • Carry a flashlight when walking and wear retro-reflective clothing.
  • Whenever possible, cross the street at a designated crosswalk or intersection.
  • Walk on a sidewalk, or if a sidewalk is not available, walk on the shoulder and facing traffic.

What to Do If You Are the Victim of a Pedestrian Accident

If you were injured or a loved one died in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to recover money damages in a personal injury accident. It is important to seek prompt medical attention and consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible so that claims can be filed in a timely manner and evidence can be preserved. The Chicago personal injury lawyers at Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish are committed to helping injured pedestrians obtain maximum financial recovery.  If you were injured in a pedestrian accident or a car accident, contact our office at (312) 445-9084 to speak with one of our car accident lawyers.   Additional Information:

  • Bicycle Safety Tips
  • Back-to-School Safety Tips for Parents and Caregivers
  • Why You Need to Act Quickly Following a Personal Injury Accident

  Steinberg Goodman & Kalish  (www.sgklawyers.com) is dedicated to protecting victims and their families.  We handle medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, professional negligence, birth trauma, and railroad law matters. Contact us at (888) 325-7299 or (312) 445-9084.

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