Because they’re so vulnerable to the massive weights and high speeds of motor vehicles, pedestrians are far more likely to have the legal right-of-way on the road. And with the advance of smart vehicles and safer cars, today’s drivers have an even greater “duty of care” to avoid colliding with other vehicles, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.
In spite of this, many car drivers are still shockingly careless when it comes to protecting walkers. Add that to the fact that the number of pedestrians and “walking commuters” has steadily increased by 4% nationwide, and it’s easy to see why many pedestrians are facing greater risks to their health and safety.
Here are some of the key factors behind the 2018 increase in pedestrian fatalities:
- Population growth. As all major cities continue to expand – and their traffic becomes ever-more congested to match – more people are opting to walk to work, or use micro-vehicles like bicycles and scooters. According to the GHSA’s report, all 10 of the states that experienced the highest population growth also saw a 5% average increase in pedestrian fatalities.
- Increased distracted driving. With the rise of smartphones, distracted driving has joined alcohol as one of the top causes for pedestrian accidents. The NHTSA estimates that distracted driving claimed almost 3,500 lives in 2016, and those numbers have only continued to rise.
- More SUVs on the road. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that fatal pedestrian accidents involving SUVs spiked by a stunning 81% between 2009 and 2016. Because SUVs and other high-horsepower vehicles are so much more likely to cause fatalities, it’s little wonder that the increased popularity of these vehicles has led to equally high rates of pedestrian death.
- Drunk driving. Although national efforts to reduce drinking while driving have largely been successful, driving under the influence continues to be a top cause for all kinds of accidents. More than half of all fatal pedestrian accidents in 2017 involved alcohol impairment.
Take Decisive Action Against Driver Negligence
When you’ve suffered a serious injury after your pedestrian accident, you’ll likely need vast resources to cover the baseline medical costs, let alone account for your missed work and lost future wages. In some tragic cases, a full physical recovery may not even be possible, as partial and full-body paralysis are all-too-frequent outcomes in pedestrian accidents. Depending on the scope of your injuries, you could also need years of assisted living care.
With the help of our skilled New Bedford personal injury lawyers, however, you may be able to pursue maximum compensation from the negligent party. With more than 75 years of combined experience helping accident victims throughout Massachusetts, we’re committed to getting the results that our clients need to move forward into the future, so they can focus on recovering from painful injuries.
Ready to speak with our experienced legal team at Morgan & Murphy, LLP? Call us today at (508) 966-7254 for service in Framingham, Plymouth, Quincy, and beyond.