Fatal pedestrian accidents continue to increase in 2018 and a recent study by the Governors Highway Safety Administration noted “pedestrian deaths in the United States are reaching epidemic proportions.” Fatal pedestrian accidents have increased by more than 50% over the past ten years.
According to the study most fatal pedestrian injuries here in California and across the nation occur after the sun goes down. One statistic in the study which leaps out is that accidents after nightfall account for about 90% of the increase in pedestrian fatalities noted over the past 10 years. Is this due to better record keeping or behavioral shifts in our population?
In half of the fatal pedestrian accidents either the pedestrian or driver were reported to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The fact that fatal pedestrian accidents continue to increase in 2018 hints at broader measures. While government agencies continue to explore the relationship between the increasing sales of smart phones and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) there has been no hard evidence to tie them together. The Governor’s study did suggest a link between cell phone distraction and pedestrian injury and wrongful death. The fact these accidents often occur at night makes it more challenging for witnesses to note driver behavior.
When a pedestrian loses their life in a motor vehicle accident there is a high probability the fatal accident resulted in a wrongful death under California law. Wrongful death cases can be legally quite complex, and it is important to work with proven trial attorneys with extensive experience in these cases.
My name is Rivers Morrell, and after more than 40 years of experience as a personal injury attorney I am quite concerned about these statistics. If you or someone you love is injured as a pedestrian we invite you to review the strong recommendations of former clients and the legal industry and contact us or call us today at 949-305-1400 to speak with one of our attorneys personally for a free consultation.
