The number of pedestrians hits and killed by passenger cars has skyrocketed in recent years, causing a great deal of alarm and consideration as to the reasons this is happening. The percentage has risen by 50 percent since 2009. An Accident Attorney in College Park represents clients seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle and also represents families after a fatal incident.
More Large Passenger Vehicles on the Road
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety attributes at least some of this increase to the predominance of sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks on the roads. The number of fatalities involving SUVs and pedestrians has risen more than 80 percent over 10 years. Although being struck by any passenger vehicle is dangerous for a person on foot, the larger automobiles are particularly hazardous for these individuals.
Relevant Statistics
This isn’t the only factor, because the number of annual incidents in which a passenger vehicle hits a pedestrian is also increasing. In 2018, nearly 6,300 pedestrians were killed by vehicles. In 2016, that statistic did not quite reach 6,000. An Accident Attorney in College Park can represent immediate family members who have lost a loved one in a tragic incident.
Problems at Certain Intersections
Sometimes, an underlying problem appears to be connected with specific intersections since accident rates are unusually higher there. A traffic light may not provide enough time for pedestrians to easily cross a road, for example, even when the light has a button to push for a longer walk signal. That signal might last only 20 seconds across four lanes of traffic along with left-turn lanes. Even a physically fit individual has to walk speedily to get across safely.
Expecting Safe Driver Behavior
Nevertheless, drivers are expected to keep an eye on the crosswalk and not start moving until it is clear. When they do not watch for pedestrians and start moving forward or making a left turn in front of someone in the crosswalk, a serious injury, or even a fatality may be the result. Injured individuals and surviving family members may hire an organization such as Jaklitsch Law Group for legal representation.
