Pedestrian Injuries

Posted on Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Every year in the United States, there are thousands of accidents on our roads. Over 100,000 of them involve pedestrians who suffer serious injury or death. Victims range from children at school crossings to adults walking through parking lots of stores and shopping centers. The majority of these injuries and deaths are the result of careless drivers of cars, trucks or even motorcycles. This carelessness can take many forms, including speeding, failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, failure to observe other traffic signals. Drunk drivers also cause a large number of pedestrian accidents.

When cars collide with pedestrians, there is a high potential for serious injury. Pedestrian/motor vehicle accidents are a serious problem throughout the world. The United States has a particular problem with pedestrian deaths and injuries. About 5,000 pedestrians are killed and another 64,000 are injured in motor vehicle accidents every year in this country.
What Are The Major Causes of Pedestrian Injuries?

Pedestrian injuries occur most frequently in urban areas because pedestrian activity and traffic volumes are greater compared to rural areas. The following represents pedestrian accident statistics for the United States according to 2008 research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that was based on analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS):

• 4,378 pedestrian deaths occurred in 2008.
• Pedestrian deaths declined by 7 percent from 2007 to 2008, compared to a decline of 10 percent for all other crash deaths.
• Pedestrian motor vehicle crash deaths account for 12 percent of crash deaths.
• The rates of pedestrian deaths in motor vehicle crashes per 100,000 people are highest for people ages 70 and older.

Many pedestrians are killed on crosswalks, sidewalks, median strips, and traffic islands. Physical separations such as overpasses, underpasses, and barriers can reduce the problem. Increased illumination and improved signal timing at intersections also can be effective. Because traffic speeds affect the risk and severity of pedestrian crashes, reducing speeds can reduce pedestrian deaths.

Vehicle factors are important too, because the most serious injuries often result from pedestrians being thrown onto the hoods, windshields, or tops of vehicles. Serious head, pelvis, and leg injuries are common, and the severity of such injuries could be mitigated by improving vehicle designs and changing materials.

When pedestrians are injured by cars and trucks or other motor vehicles, the attorneys at Coker, Schickel, Sorenson, Posgay & Iracki have the experience, skills and resources to take action against the drivers of those vehicles that cause these injuries. Unlike insurance companies that look only to protect their own interests, our firm is dedicated to doing what is right. Our legal team will thoroughly investigate the accident, examine and preserve the evidence, obtain witness statements, and take the steps necessary to overcome the insurance company’s tactics.

Coker, Schickel, Sorenson, Posgay & Iracki is ready to help you obtain justice – the full, fair and complete compensation you need for your past and future pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.

If you would like an attorney to review your case, please contact us here or call our office at 904-356-6071 to arrange a free confidential consultation.