Pedestrian Deaths At Their Highest In 30 Years

Perhaps you know someone who was injured while walking in New Haven, Connecticut. The fact is that many pedestrian accidents end in fatalities, and the number of these fatalities has been rising for some time now. Specifically, it began to climb from 2009 onward after seeing a 20-year-long decline.

The Highest Number of Pedestrian Deaths Since 1988

The Governors Highway Safety Administration has made a preliminary analysis of traffic deaths in 2019 using data spanning the first six months of that year. In a report, the GHSA estimated that there were 6,590 pedestrian fatalities in 2019: a 5% increase from 2018 and a 60% increase from the 4,109 people who died in 2009. If this number is accurate, it’s the highest seen since 1988.

Five States With the Most Fatalities

The GHSA pinpointed five states that, altogether, accounted for 47% of the pedestrian fatalities in 2019. These five states, which make up one-third of the U.S. population, were Georgia, Florida, Texas, California and Arizona.

Florida also had one of the highest rates of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people. New Mexico and Hawaii were two other states with a high rate. The lowest rates were in Vermont, Wisconsin and Idaho.

What’s Causing the Spike in Fatalities?

All other traffic deaths saw a 2% increase overall between 2009 and 2018, which begs the question of why pedestrian fatalities have spiked. The GHSA offers several explanations, such as the warmer weather bringing more people outdoors and the increased number of drivers who are distracted by their phones.

Also significant is how there are more SUVs and light trucks on the road. Due to the way these vehicles are designed, pedestrians struck by them run double the risk of sustaining fatal injuries.

A Lawyer to Protect Your Rights

You or your loved one may be wondering how to seek compensation for the cost of medical treatments, the wages lost and the pain and suffering inflicted. A lawyer who works on cases involving pedestrian collisions may be able to represent you as you take your case to the driver’s auto insurance company.