Understanding the Risks of Pedestrian Accidents in Illinois
Nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2016. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that pedestrians are one of the only groups that have experienced an increase in fatalities in recent years; in fact, pedestrian deaths have been increasing since 2009. Pedestrian safety is a widespread issue, since at some point every day, everyone is a pedestrian. Pedestrian accidents can result in serious injuries and, in some cases, death, which is why it is important to understand the causes of these accidents and what you can do to decrease your chances of being seriously injured in a collision with a vehicle.
What Increases the Risk of Pedestrian Accidents?
The NHTSA has done extensive research on pedestrian accidents in an effort to grasp why they happen so frequently and what can be done to decrease their prevalence. Studies have discovered that certain risk factors play a part in whether or not a person is likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident:
- Age: Children who were ages 10 to 14 and adults who were ages 50 to 54 had the highest rate of pedestrian fatalities at 22 percent. Adults ages 55 to 59 and 60 to 64 trailed behind with 21 percent and 20 percent of traffic fatalities that occurred as pedestrians.
- Gender: Of the people killed in pedestrian traffic crashes, an overwhelming number of them were male--more than two-thirds, or 70 percent. Overall, the male pedestrian fatality rate for every 100,000 people was more than double the rate for females--2.63 compared to 1.09.
- Environmental Conditions: Certain conditions can increase the risk of pedestrian accidents, such as lighting conditions, season, and time of day. Nearly 75 percent of pedestrian accidents occurred when it was dark, whereas 22 percent of accidents occurred in the daylight. During the fall and winter months, pedestrian accidents are more likely to happen between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., whereas during spring and summer months, pedestrian accidents are more likely to happen between 9:00 p.m. and midnight.
Get Help From a Dedicated Kane County Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Pedestrians who are struck by a motor vehicle can suffer severe and extreme injuries that can affect their daily lives and cause them a great deal of pain. If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you should get in touch with a knowledgeable and successful Aurora personal injury lawyer. Contact Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. to discuss your case and learn how to obtain rightful compensation for your suffering. Call our office at 630-907-0909 to set up a free consultation.
Sources:
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812493
https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/pedestrian_safety/index.html
