Being a pedestrian can be risky. At least 2,957 pedestrians lost their lives in the U.S. during the first six months of 2020. Countless others receive treatment for non-life-threatening injuries that they suffer as pedestrians every year.
One recent statistic published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the likelihood of pedestrians losing their life is 1.5 times that of a motorist traveling in an automobile. There are many dangers associated with being a pedestrian. Some individuals are more vulnerable to getting hurt than others.
Which pedestrians are most apt to get injured?
The injury or fatality rate is highest for children and senior citizen pedestrians than for any other population.
CDC data shows that at least 20% of all pedestrian death and 10% of all injuries involve individuals over the age of 65. Another 20% of fatalities claim the lives of children under the age of 15. CDC data also shows that there are many reasons why pedestrians end up being struck by vehicles, including:
- Not crossing the road at properly designated intersections (jaywalking)
- Walking in the street (as opposed to the sidewalk)
- Not carrying a flashlight or wearing reflective clothing at night
- Distractions from phones, radios and other electronic devices
- Walking under the influence of alcohol or drugs
While pedestrians can minimize their risk of injury or death by taking precautions as per the above-referenced CDC recommendations, there’s little they can do about speeding or intoxicated motorists who might make choices that put their lives at risk.
Your right to recover compensation
California laws exist to protect accident victims. They might allow you to recover compensation if someone’s negligence resulted in you suffering serious injuries or losing a loved one. An attorney can go over what those laws are with you and whether you’re eligible to file suit in your case.