New cars are rolling off the assembly line every single day. Despite the global financial crisis, auto manufacturers are meeting consumer demands by producing about 165,000 new vehicles every day.1 With this significant number of different makes and models of vehicles being produced every day, it is not unreasonable to think that there is no consistent or across the board preference for transportation. However, everyone shares a common form of transportation as all road users are pedestrians.2
MO Car Accidents Involving Pedestrians
It is not uncommon to overlook pedestrians as an at-risk road user, but statistics reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that over 4,000 pedestrians die each year in auto accidents.3 Based on the NHTSA’s 2015 publication, pedestrians are classified as those individuals “on foot, walking, running, jogging, hiking, sitting, or lying down” and account for 14 percent of traffic crash fatalities and 3 percent of traffic crash injuries each year.4 There are several environmental factors that contribute to pedestrian fatalities and injuries. The NHTSA report based on research from 2013 indicates that the ideal setting for a pedestrian involved accident would be in an urban area, at a non-intersection location, and in the dark. These specific conditions are ripe for a pedestrian involved auto accident, because 73 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas over the 27 percent in rural environments, 69 percent occur in non-intersections in comparison to the 20 percent of accidents at intersections, and more accidents occurred in the dark at 72 percent rather than in daylight, dawn, or dusk.5 Statistically there is a significant correlation between pedestrian accidents and the time of day and day of week. The two largest percentages of pedestrian accidents occur within two evening time periods. From 6 to 8:59 p.m. 26 percent and from 9 to 11:59 p.m. 23 percent of pedestrian accidents occur.6 These findings indicate that more fatal pedestrian accidents occur in the evening hours when there is poor lighting conditions, lower visibility, and more distracted or drunk pedestrians as well as drivers on the roadways.7 However, the causes of pedestrian crashes at night are lined to a combination of factors: pedestrian behavior, physical environment, the vehicle and driver, and special conditions such as weather, unlawful street vending, and construction.8
Improving Pedestrian Safety in Missouri
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every two hours there is a crash-related pedestrian death and every 7 minutes a pedestrian injury. In order to reduce the number of deaths and injuries, it is important to know who is most at risk. Older adults above the age of 65 account for 20 percent of the deaths and 9 percent of the injuries to pedestrians.9 One in every five children who die in a traffic crash every year is a pedestrian.10 When a traffic accident involves the death of a pedestrian, 48 percent of the time the pedestrian or driver was alcohol impaired.11 These at risk populations should increase visibility by using flashlights and reflective clothing, pedestrians should travel with a sober person, use designated crosswalks and intersections, and only when a sidewalk is unavailable, walk on the shoulder facing traffic.12
Contact an Experienced St. Louis Pedestrian Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
If as a pedestrian you were injured during a motor vehicle accident it is important to discuss the circumstances of your collision with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney who can help to determine what claims should be filed and protect your legal rights and interests. To contact an auto accident attorney for a free consultation please feel free to call the The Bruning Law Firm trial attorneys at 314-735-8100.
LET US GET STARTED ON YOUR ST. LOUIS CAR ACCIDENT CASE TODAY
If you or someone you care about has been seriously injured in an auto accident, contact The Bruning Law Firm today. We provide the comprehensive, professional legal representation you deserve at a time when you need it most.
Call or contact our office online today to schedule a free consultation.
References:
- http://www.worldometers.info/cars/
- http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Cats/listpublications.aspx?Id=13&ShowBy=Category
- http://www.popcenter.org/problems/pedestrian_injuries/
- http://www.cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafety/Pedestrian_safety/
