Pedestrian accidents in Indiana and across the nation are a source of concern. Since pedestrians are inherently vulnerable to injuries and fatalities after being hit by a motor vehicle, it is understandable that government agencies and law enforcement seek strategies to reduce the number of collisions. Still, despite these attempts and technological advancements, the problem has been getting progressively worse.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 2019 saw nearly 6,600 pedestrian deaths, based on preliminary statistical analysis, but if it holds, that is a 60% rise over the previous decade. At the same time, there was only a 2% increase in traffic fatalities for other reasons during that span. From 2018 to 2019, there was approximately a 5% increase in pedestrian fatalities. The number of deaths was the highest in 30 years.
The statistics were only available for the first six months of 2019, and the GHSA does not make projections. Some states have greater risk than others, but this is a challenge throughout the country. After a consistent reduction in fatalities from 1988 to 2009, the numbers started to spike culminating in the decade-long increase shown from 2009 to 2018 in which it rose by 53%. It should be mentioned that more people were on the road in 2019, increasing the chance that there would be an accident based on that volume.
Other factors include the prevalence of SUVs. These vehicles have been proven to cause more pedestrian fatalities because of their size and weight. Pedestrians hit by an SUV have double the chance of dying than those hit by a car. Pedestrians who are hit by a motor vehicle may face hefty medical costs, lost income and extensive problems as they try to recover. This can impact them and their family. If there is a fatality, these challenges are multiplied. Recovering compensation may assist with addressing these issues. Gathering information on how to move forward after pedestrian accidents can help to determine what steps to take.
