Despite the seemingly never-ending increase in car ownership, many Connecticut residents continue to find themselves walking, jogging and biking on the state’s roadways. Whether walking to one’s car after shopping, taking a jog after a hard day of work or enjoying a weekend bike ride with family and friends, these individuals are at risk of harm. No matter have safe they are while near busy roads, an errant driver can take them by surprise and cause an injurious or fatal accident in the blink of an eye. Due to the lack of safety implements utilized by pedestrians, these individuals often suffer extensive harm that can ripple through their physical well-being to their emotional health and financial stability.
The problem isn’t going away either. According to the CDC, nearly 5,000 pedestrians were killed in 2013, accounting for one death nearly every two hours. In addition to these fatalities, another 150,000 pedestrians were rushed to the hospital after being involved in a pedestrian accident. Statistics even show that pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed in a car accident than those contained within a vehicle.
There are, of course, certain factors that may increase the chances of a pedestrian accident. A drunk driver, for example, may be more likely to ignore crosswalks and drive onto sidewalks. But even those who are usually attentive can take their eyes off the road for just a few seconds to check a cell phone and, perhaps, cause devastation.
There is no excuse for negligence behind the wheel. Those who cause injurious or fatal pedestrian accidents need to be held accountable for the damages they have caused. Victims can attempt to do so by pursuing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Those who wish to learn more about how to do so should consider speaking with an experienced legal professional.
Source: CDC, “Injury Prevention & Control: Motor Vehicle Safety,” accessed on Oct. 31, 2016
