In 2017, 5,977 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes involving motor vehicles according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration. This number is included in the recorded fatal crashes for our entire country, which was a total of 37,133 fatal traffic crashes.
The good news is that this is a decrease from 2016, when an estimated 6,080 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes. The bad news is that it’s only a small decrease. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-vehicle occupants involved in traffic fatalities together account for 19% of all traffic fatalities. This is a 5% increase over the course of a decade, and pedestrian fatalities are clearly the frontrunner. At this rate, a pedestrian is killed every hour and half.
We are all pedestrians at some point. Just like drivers, pedestrians have specific laws that apply to them. Those laws aren’t always the same in every city or state. Most people assume that if they are a pedestrian they have the right-of-way in every or most situations but that isn’t true. Pedestrians don’t always have the right away. Whether alcohol or other distractions are suspected causes of a crash, every case is unique in determining who is responsible in a fatal pedestrian traffic crash.
If you or someone you know has been injured or killed as a pedestrian in a traffic crash, contact an experienced attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or toll free at 713-222-7211.