Connecticut pedestrians and drivers must share the road to make certain that everyone stays safe. Unfortunately, there are incidents where pedestrians will be hit by a car and suffer injuries and death. The vulnerability of pedestrians leaves them susceptible to the worst-case scenario when they are hit. While automakers and legislators are actively trying to formulate and implement strategies to improve safety, recent information shows a trending and troublesome rise in the number of fatal pedestrian accidents across the U.S. It is important that people are aware of this to avoid an accident and to know what to do after one has happened in terms of seeking compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety studied data related to pedestrian accidents and found that, between 2009 and 2016, there was a 46 percent increase in the U.S. For its part, Connecticut has had 215 such accidents in 2018 alone, nine of which resulted in a fatality. Anecdotal evidence shows how prevalent the problem is. For example, in April a woman was crossing the road when she was hit by a vehicle. The man who hit her got out of his vehicle to assist her and was also hit by a car. The woman survived. The man did not.
The study suggests that speeding is a major factor in the increase. Also problematic is higher speed limits as it is believed that, the faster a vehicle is traveling, the more likely it is that there will be injuries of greater severity and death. Another concern is drivers using cellphones behind the wheel, but the data is not sufficient to formulate a conclusion in that area. Most of these accidents occur on suburban and urban roads near busier roadways – not close to an intersection. IIHS believes that improved lighting, crosswalks and intersections will go a long way toward improving the safety of pedestrians.
When a pedestrian is in an accident with a motor vehicle, the likelihood of injuries and fatalities is high due to the sheer nature of the situation. People who have no protection can suffer life-changing damage after being hit by a car. That can mean spinal cord injuries, brain damage, broken bones, cuts and an endless stream of problems with accompanying costs. With fatalities, the loved ones will be forced to pick up the pieces in a personal and financial way. A lawyer experienced in pedestrian accidents can help with investigating the incident and filing a claim to receive compensation.
