On behalf of Law Offices of Anthony Urban, P.C. posted in Auto-Pedestrian Accidents on Monday, December 8, 2014.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,743 pedestrians nationwide were killed in traffic accidents in 2012. Motorists in Pennsylvania might be surprised that this equates to more than 12 pedestrian deaths every day. Additionally, 76,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic accidents in the year 2012, amounting to one every seven minutes.
In comparison to 2001, the national tally of pedestrian deaths fell 3.2 percent in 2012. Certain figures pertaining to pedestrian accidents in 2012 are noteworthy. For example, among the 2012 pedestrian fatalities, 69 percent were male, and the average age was 46, reportedly. Almost 32 percent of pedestrian deaths happened between 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m., and 73 percent occurred in urban areas.
Pedestrian injury cases in 2012 decreased 2.5 percent from the 78,000 reported in 2001. However, hospital records indicate that police only report a fraction of accidents involving pedestrians.
Pedestrians account for 14 percent of national traffic deaths, reportedly. However, statistics from a national survey indicate that vehicles only cause 12 percent of all reported pedestrian injuries. The most common causes were trips on uneven or cracked sidewalks and natural trips and falls.
In Pennsylvania, there were a total 1,310 traffic fatalities in 2012, reportedly. Among those, the NHTSA reported that 12.4 percent, or 163, were pedestrians.
People injured in a pedestrian accident might receive financial restitution for damages they suffered if they file a personal injury claim against the driver or party demonstrably responsible for the event. Starting the process of filing a claim involves keeping a record of medical expenses and lost time at work. The injured pedestrian may ask a lawyer about the exact records and documentation needed to strengthen their personal injury case.