Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are all too common in the United States, with as many as 6,000 people dying from a pedestrian accident every year. In addition, nearly 130,000 pedestrians are injured in accidents. While certain measures are being introduced every day to help reduce this issue, it’s still a rampant problem in the U.S.
Here are five things you should know about them from a pedestrian accident lawyer.
Fact #1: Alcohol is a Huge Factor
It’s easy to think that alcohol only plays a part in vehicular accidents, but pedestrian accidents are quite common as well. In fact, according to the CDC in 2015, 48 percent of pedestrian accidents involved alcohol. However, in these cases, it wasn’t always just the driver who was drunk. In many of these cases, about 34 percent of them, the pedestrian had a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.08.
Fact #2: The Elderly and Children are Affected the Most
In data collected by the CDC, it was found that 19 percent of all pedestrian fatalities and 13 percent of all pedestrian accidents involved a pedestrian who was 65 or older. On the other hand, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 6,000 children were killed from this kind of accident in 2015—a shockingly high number.
Fact #3: Cellphones Play a Major Role
Texting is one of the many reasons why accidents occur, especially the ones involving pedestrians. From drivers not paying attention behind the wheel to pedestrians crossing the street without looking both ways, texting is a serious distraction that can put lives at risk. It’s best to not have your phone out while you’re behind the wheel and to always be aware of your surroundings as you cross the street.
Fact #4: Road Rage is a Common Cause
This may sound unlikely, but road rage is an incredibly common cause of pedestrian accidents. Many times, drivers will do things they regret while experiencing white, hot road rage and it can, unfortunately, result in an accident.
Fact #5: We Can Make the Road a Safer Place
Accidents are something that nobody wants, but luckily there are many ways we can make the roads safer than ever before. From not texting behind the wheel to calling an Uber whenever we drink more than we plan to, we can avoid painful and even fatal accidents.
Call a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer if You’ve Been Involved in an Accident
A pedestrian accident lawyer will be able to help you if you seek compensation for your injuries, were involved in a hit and run, or need help navigating the legal aftermath of an accident. Call the pedestrian accident lawyer at Quinonez Law Firm today!