Pedestrians may rightly worry about their safety when near traffic. Crossing an Indiana intersection comes with dangers, and so do seemingly safe places like retail store parking lots. However, recent statistics reveal that pedestrian fatalities occur in significant numbers annually. Often, driver negligence contributes to the deaths.
Notes about pedestrian fatalities
One problematic fact about pedestrian fatalities is that 2021 saw an 80% increase in deaths after the lowest ebb in 2009. The total number of deaths in 2021 was 7,388. Pedestrian deaths are enormously high for people between 20 and 69, and fatal pedestrian deaths represent 17% of all motor vehicle accident fatalities.
Pedestrians will undoubtedly benefit by exercising extreme caution close to traffic. Staying near well-lit areas and following all street crossing rules helps. However, pedestrians cannot control the actions of a reckless driver who may put them at risk.
Intoxicated drivers continue to be a problem that plagues the United States. A driver under the influence presents a great risk to pedestrians. The same would apply to other drivers who behave negligently.
Negligence and pedestrian accidents
Impatient and aggressive drivers may not come to complete stops at stop signs or when making right-hand turns at red lights. They could also rely heavily on technology for alerts and do not take all the steps necessary to avoid pedestrian accidents.
Negligent behavior that causes an accident may lead a driver directly into a lawsuit. Catastrophic injuries may leave someone with massive medical debt and other financial burdens. A civil settlement could help the victim recover their losses. In some cases, seeking punitive damages would seem necessary, as might suing above auto liability coverage limits.
