Pedestrian accidents are a growing danger in the United States. In fact, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, pedestrian accident fatalities in 2016 and 2017 hit a 25-year high, with approximately 6,000 pedestrians killed each year.
Though Pennsylvania has its fair share of pedestrian accidents, in recent years, many organizations throughout the state have stepped up efforts to increase pedestrian safety, such as conducting targeted enforcement stings for failure to yield to pedestrians.
This heightened focus may actually be working: from 2016 to 2017, fatal pedestrian accidents in Pennsylvania dropped by 20.3 percent. Still, these accidents happen far more often than they should.
Consider these pedestrian accident statistics for both Pennsylvania and the United States as a whole:
- Approximately 1.5 people per 100,000 were killed in pedestrian accidents in 2017.
- From 2014 to 2016, there were 481 pedestrian fatalities in Pennsylvania.
- During that time period, 118—or 25 percent—of the pedestrians killed in Pennsylvania died at intersections.
- In 2016, 79 people died in pedestrian accidents in Pennsylvania; in 2017, 63 pedestrians were killed.
- In 2017, 16 fewer pedestrians died in accidents in Pennsylvania than in 2016—a decrease of 20.3 percent.
- Fatal pedestrian accidents in the United States increased 9 percent from 2015 to 2016.
- From 2016 to 2017, fatal pedestrian accidents rose 11 percent.
- In 2016, 70 percent of pedestrians killed in fatal accidents were male.
- Alcohol was involved in 48 percent of all fatal pedestrian crashes in 2016.
- More than 25 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents occur from 6:00 p.m. and 8:59 p.m.
- According to the National Safety Council, distracted driving and walking are considered contributing factors in the increase of pedestrian accidents.
Consult an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages. Contact the Accident and Injury Law Group today to schedule an appointment for a free, no-obligation consultation.