During October, USDOT and NHTSA celebrate National Pedestrian Safety Month as a way to get the message out about preventing pedestrian accidents. We all start out as vulnerable pedestrians, and even after getting our driver’s licenses, there are times when we are back on foot as pedestrians. While there are natural risks with drivers and pedestrians moving in the same areas, there are several steps that both drivers and pedestrians can take to ensure pedestrian safety and prevent pedestrian accidents. In this article, we share tips on how to prevent pedestrian accidents.
If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident because of a negligent driver, you do not have to navigate your recovery alone. Look for an experienced, local pedestrian accident attorney and schedule a free consultation. In this meeting, the injury lawyer should ask questions about your accident and discuss your legal rights. If you decide to work together, they will gather evidence and fight for a full and fair settlement for your losses.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Pedestrians are especially vulnerable in traffic accidents because they literally have no protection in the event of a crash. There is a high likelihood of being thrown onto the pavement and struck by other vehicles, leading to serious injuries or worse. Here are some pedestrian accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis:
- 68,244 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes in 2023.
- On average, a pedestrian died every 72 minutes and one was injured every eight minutes in traffic crashes in 2023.
- Eighteen percent of all traffic deaths in 2023 were pedestrians, and three percent of all people injured in traffic crashes were pedestrians.
- Seventeen percent of the children 14 and younger killed in traffic crashes in 2023 were pedestrians.
- Seventy percent of the pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2023 were males.
- Alcohol use was reported in 46 percent of all fatal pedestrian crashes in 2023, with a blood alcohol concentration of .01 for the driver and/or the pedestrian.
- In 2023, urban areas had a pedestrian fatality rate much higher (84 percent) than rural areas (16 percent).
- Eighty-nine percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in single-vehicle crashes in 2023.
- One out of every four pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2023 (24 percent) was struck by a hit-and-run driver.
How to Prevent Pedestrian Accidents: Top 6 Ways for Drivers to Prevent Pedestrian Accidents
Drivers play a key role in keeping pedestrians safe. Here are the top five ways drivers can help prevent pedestrian accidents:
- Always obey speed limits, especially in residential areas and school zones.
- Stay alert and avoid distractions like phones while driving.
- Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections.
- Be extra cautious in low-visibility conditions, such as at night or in bad weather.
- Watch for pedestrians when turning, backing up, or entering/exiting driveways.
- Never get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
Top 5 Ways for Pedestrians to Protect Themselves from a Car Vs. Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians can take simple steps to stay safe and reduce the risk of accidents with vehicles. Here are the top five ways pedestrians can protect themselves:
- Always use crosswalks and follow pedestrian signals.
- Stay alert and avoid distractions, like phones or headphones, while walking.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
- Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night or in low-light conditions.
- Walk on sidewalks whenever possible, and face traffic when walking along roads without sidewalks.
With one out of four drivers who hit a pedestrian fleeing the scene, it is a good idea to take a picture of the car and their license plate as soon as the accident happens, if you are physically able. If not, write down any and all observations you can about the driver and their vehicle as soon as possible.
Seek the Help of a Pedestrian Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced pedestrian injury attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
