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GHSA estimates a 60% jump in pedestrian deaths from 2009 to 2019

On Behalf of | Jun 1, 2020 | Auto-pedestrian Accidents

Perhaps you were in a pedestrian accident in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, and you suffered catastrophic injuries. The nation’s roads are becoming more and more dangerous, even deadly, for pedestrians. The number of pedestrian fatalities has, in fact, been consistently going up since 2009. Just as you might file a personal injury claim, so others might be preparing a wrongful death lawsuit.

What the GHSA says about pedestrian deaths

The Governors Highway Safety Administration made a preliminary 2019 analysis of traffic deaths using data from the first six months of that year. Based on this data, the GHSA estimates that 6,590 pedestrians died altogether in 2019. This would mark a 5% increase from 2018 and a 60% spike from 2009. The last time the number has been this high was in 1988.

Fatality rates naturally varied from state to state. Florida, New Mexico and Hawaii had the highest while Vermont, Wisconsin and Idaho had the lowest. Five states accounted for 47% of all the pedestrian fatalities: California, Arizona, Texas, Georgia and Florida. These five states also make up 33% of the U.S. population.

Possible factors in the increase

Only pedestrian deaths have seen such an increase; all other traffic deaths have gone up 2%, the GHSA says, between 2009 and 2019. The report mentions some factors that could be involved here. For example, warmer weather is bringing more drivers and pedestrians out. New technology is also leading to more phone distractions for drivers.

More SUVs and light trucks are on the roads, too. You should know that large SUVs are twice as likely to kill a pedestrian as an ordinary vehicle. These vehicles are designed in a way that lends itself to more head and neck injuries on the part of pedestrians.

Lawyer for a wide range of cases

Personal injury claims that involve pedestrian accidents can be hard to argue since pedestrians are often partially at fault for their injuries. Whether or not this is the case with you, you may want a lawyer to assess your case in light of Tennessee’s modified comparative negligence rule. You may greatly benefit from the lawyer’s personal attention moving forward.

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