Many do not realize this, but one often becomes a pedestrian at many points in the day. When individuals in Washington and other states across the nation get out of their vehicle, while they walk to and from their vehicle, he or she is a pedestrian. This means that whether a person is walking, running, jogging or simply heading to their vehicle in a parking lot, they are pedestrians. It also means that these individuals are put at risk when traveling by foot near traffic.
Automobile drivers are supposed to be aware of their surroundings. This not only ensures that they maneuver their vehicle safely but also that they do not collide with those around them. When a motorist fails to watch for pedestrians or travel slowly in areas when they frequent, this could result in a serious auto-pedestrian accident.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatalities in pedestrian accidents have grown over the years. This statistic has caused researchers to consider what factors increase the risk of a pedestrian accident to occur. To begin, it was found that it was more likely for these crashes to occur in urban areas, happening in roughly 73 percent of them. It was also found that they were more likely to happen at non-intersections, occurring in about 69 percent of crashes.
It was also discovered that pedestrian accidents were more likely to occur in the dark during the times after dusk and during the night. With regards to the age of the victim, it was found that the average age of a killed pedestrian was 46. Those injured were roughly around the age of 36. It was also found that roughly one-fifth of pedestrian fatalities were children 14 years and younger.
These factors indicate that some are more likely than others to be victims of a pedestrian accident. Nonetheless, the reality is that anyone could be a victim of such a crash. Therefore, it is vital to understand what can be done after such a tragic event. Victims and loved ones of deceased pedestrian might be able to file a civil action for compensation. A personal injury claim or wrongful death suit could help with financial awards and holding a negligent party accountable.
Source: Crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov, “Pedestrians,” accessed April 15, 2018