Facts About Accidents

On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 111 minutes. That indicates that over 4000 pedestrians are killed each year in the United States. Traffic safety is an inter-play between drivers and pedestrians, acting responsibly and obeying traffic rules. Sadly, it is human nature to act against rules at times, which can lead to devastating outcomes.

If you, or a loved one, have been involved in a pedestrian accident, contact us. We can help. Click here for a free evaluation of your case.

Pedestrian Action

Accidents between pedestrians and cars happen for different reasons in various situations. Consider the following circumstances:

• Crossing, no signal or crosswalk causes 22.3 percent of accidents
• Crossing, with a signal causes 21.7 percent of accidents
• Crossing, against the signal causes 9.9 percent of accidents
• Other actions in the roadway cause 9.8 percent of accidents
• Emerging from a parked vehicle causes 6 percent of accidents
• Crossing, no signal, marked crosswalk causes 5.7 percent of accidents
• Going off/on a stopped school bus causes 0.2 percent of accidents

Traffic Safety Facts

• 71 percent of all accidents involving pedestrians occur in urban areas
• 64 percent of all accidents happen at night
• 68 percent of all pedestrians that are killed are male
• 23 percent of the children killed in traffic are pedestrians
• 17 percent of pedestrians killed are elderly citizens
• 48 percent of pedestrian accidents take place over the weekend
• 47 percent of all fatal crashes involve alcohol
• 31 percent involve intoxicated pedestrians
• 17 percent involve intoxicated drivers

Pedestrians’ Rights and Duties

Pedestrians are always subject to traffic-control signals and have to obey traffic lights at any time. When traffic-control signals are not in place or not functioning, a driver has to yield the right of way once a pedestrian has entered the crosswalk. At a point, however, where a pedestrian tunnel or overpass has been provided, pedestrians shall yield the right of way to all vehicles.

Pedestrians also exercise the right of way on sidewalks extending across alleyways, building entrances or driveways. However, once pedestrians leave the “right of way” zones and try to cross at unmarked points of the road, even if tunnels or overhead pedestrian crossing is provided, vehicles have the right of way. At the same time, it is prohibited to cross intersections diagonally unless authorized traffic-control devices indicate otherwise.

Hot Topics include:

• Bus accidents
• Right of way
• Accidents and bicycles
• Rules and regulations
• Wrongful death

In case you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian and you feel that injuries were suffered due to another road user’s negligence, it is important to consult legal help. Click here for a free evaluation of your case.