Pedestrian Accidents Sustain on Deadly Trend Across Indiana
It remains striking that more and more
pedestrians are killed in traffic-related crashes in the U.S. each year, making this group one of the few to experience
an increase in annual fatalities. For example, Metro police recently reported
a pedestrian death at the 2600 block of Westlane, east of 71st Street and Michigan Road. Investigators told local news, “a male
in his 30’s emerged from a vehicle at the entrance to a residential
addition and was struck by a vehicle.” The victim was taken to St.
Vincent where he was pronounced dead. Luckily the drivers of both vehicles
remained at the scene and are cooperating with police to identify the
issues related to the accident but it’s likely the event could have
been prevented.
The Governors Highway Safety Association data report “Spotlight on
Highway Safety” estimated that nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed
by automobiles for the second straight year in 2017 while all other traffic
deaths decreased by 14 percent. Indiana has a poor rate of 0.94 pedestrian
deaths per 100,000 people with the 12th highest pedestrian fatality rate
in the country.
Pedestrians Account For 16% of All Motor Vehicle Deaths
The reality is that many pedestrian accidents are caused by the driver
of the vehicle, leaving little room for the pedestrian to avoid the incident.
Most pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas where there can be more
than one factor at play but some of the more common driver errors causing
pedestrian injury or fatality can happen anywhere and include:
- Inexperienced or New Drivers
- Illegal U-Turns
- Failure to Follow School Zone Driving Practices
- Failure to Make A Full Stop at Intersections
- Speeding, Impaired Driving, and Distracted Drivers
Along with communities creating comprehensive safety programs to promote
safe pedestrian practices, increased public service campaigns focused
on safe driving, and advancements in in-car technology, there remains
a strong need to send reduction rates of pedestrian crashes, fatalities
and injuries, down across Indiana. The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration recommends the following safety steps and precautions for
any person on foot, walking, running, jogging, or hiking near a roadway.
- Avoid using alcohol and drugs.
- Bright or reflective clothing will ensure you visibility any time of the day.
- Avoid using distractors like phones or headphones.
- Never assume a driver sees you.
- Cross at crosswalks or other places on the road where drivers expect to
see pedestrians. - Stay off of freeways, restricted-access highways and other pedestrian-prohibited roadways.
- Walk on a sidewalk if available, and if not, walk on the shoulder, facing traffic.
The pedestrian accident injury
attorneys at Wagner Reese can provide these additional, very basic ways to become a more mindful
pedestrian and travel safely while walking, whether the area is a quiet
parking lot or congested intersection.
- It is critical to look in all directions when crossing, even if you are
at a crosswalk with a walk signal or a driveway. - It is a terrible and potentially disastrous idea to dart across a road
quickly because you cannot see in both directions. - For children and adults alike, keep your head up and stay alert to changes
in your environment. - While we certainly wish otherwise, it is not safe to assume a driver will
yield the right of way to a pedestrian. Take a moment to notice traffic
patterns and always watch for vehicles and motorcycles.
As noted above, in most cases the driver is liable in a pedestrian-car
accident because of an error or illegal driving choice they made. In fact,
even when the pedestrian has been negligent and carries some of the blame
for an accident, the driver is often also partially at fault.
Seek Financial Recovery for Your Injury
If you or a loved one has been injured or tragically taken in a
pedestrian accident, the personal injury attorneys at Wagner Reese are here to assist you
with a recovery plan. We can help determine fault in the accident, as
well as work to help secure the compensation you and your family deserve.
Connect with us by
submitting our online form and our attorneys will review your information and respond promptly. If
you wish to speak directly with us, please call 1-888-710-9377.
