You face many different risks whenever you walk alongside the road or near moving vehicles, from busy streets to parking lots. Distracted and drunk drivers sometimes collide with pedestrians, and these accidents also occur during periods of low visibility.
Drivers and pedestrians need to have a solid understanding of the risk factors associated with these accidents, as well as the prevalence of deadly crashes. This can help deter additional pedestrian fatalities and make the roads safer. Unfortunately, data shows that far too many pedestrians continue to lose their lives in motor vehicle accidents.
Statistics on pedestrian deaths
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that in 2020, pedestrians accounted for one out of every six traffic accident deaths. During 2020, a pedestrian died in a traffic accident every 75 minutes. In fact, over 7,000 pedestrians lost their lives over the course of the year.
Tragically, pedestrians become especially vulnerable when a collision occurs, and have a higher chance of losing their lives in comparison to those riding in motor vehicles.
The characteristics of fatal pedestrian accidents
The CDC reports that people 65 and over made up 20% of the pedestrians who died in traffic accidents in 2020. Furthermore, 46% of fatal pedestrian accidents involved alcohol. The chances of a fatal pedestrian accident increase during the nighttime, in urban locations and on roads outside of intersections.
If your family lost a loved one because of a negligent driver who caused a fatal pedestrian accident, you should take a close look at how you can secure justice on their behalf and hold the driver accountable.
