Drivers have a responsibility to be alert to their surroundings so that they can stay safe and avoid inflicting harm. Pedestrians must also be aware of their surroundings so they can increase their ability to avoid danger. As there are 135 million cars on the road every day in the United States, accidents happen. Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable to death when they are hit by a car. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to die when hit versus those who have protection inside a car during a crash.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Pedestrians are at a very high risk of sustaining injuries in a crash.
- In 2015, a pedestrian was injured in a crash somewhere in the country every 7.5 minutes
- There were close to 129,000 pedestrians treated in emergency rooms from injuries after accidents in 2015
- In 2015, adults over the age of 65 made up 13% of pedestrian accident injuries
- Children between the ages of 10 and 14 had the most pedestrian injuries in accidents in 2015 than any other group
Every 1.5 hours, a pedestrian lost their life in an accident in the country in 2016. Other fatal pedestrian statistics include:
- 16% of traffic deaths in 2016 were pedestrians
- In 2015 there was a 9.5% increase in pedestrian deaths from the previous year.
- In 2014 there were 4,910 pedestrian deaths while in 2015 there were 5,376 pedestrian deaths
- 2015 had the most pedestrian fatalities during the year than seen since 1996
- Between 2001 and 2010 there were a total of 47,392 pedestrian deaths. Of these, 32,873 were male and 14,519 were female
- Older individuals over the age of 65 made up 19% of the pedestrian fatalities in 2015
- 21% of children under the age of 15 who died in traffic accidents were pedestrians accidents
- In 2016 70% of pedestrians who died in accidents were male
- Young children under the age of 4 and between the ages of 5 and 9 made up the most pedestrian deaths in accidents in 2015
Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrians can take steps to increase their safety while out including:
- Carrying a flashlight when walking, wearing highly visible clothing like a reflective vest
- Always use designated crosswalks where possible when entering a road
- Try not to walk on the road and instead walk on sidewalks, paths, or on the shoulder facing traffic when a sidewalk is not available
- Avoid distractions such as listening to music or using your mobile device while walking
- Do not wander about under the influence of alcohol or drugs
In 2015, there were 150 pedestrian deaths in traffic accidents in the state of Illinois. If you lost a loved one in a traffic accident, you may be able to file an Illinois wrongful death suit to pursue compensation on their behalf. The Janesville pedestrian accident attorneys at the Alexander J. Smith Law Offices can help you with your case.
The Janesville personal injury lawyers at Alexander J. Smith Law Offices care about protecting victims’ legal rights. Call us today to set up a free consultation at (608) 237-7035 for residents of Wisconsin or (815) 243-9686 for residents of Illinois. One of our highly knowledgeable Wisconsin and Illinois wrongful death attorneys is looking forward to meeting you.