In America between 2000 and 2009, a pedestrian was hit by a motor vehicle an average of once every seven minutes. A recent report by a nonprofit group, Transportation for America, shows that more than 47,700 pedestrians were killed during that period, with an additional 688,000 pedestrians suffering non-fatal injuries.
According to the report, Memphis is seventh among the nation's most dangerous metro areas for pedestrians, with a Pedestrian Danger Index of 132. Nashville, ranked 14th nationally, is not far behind with an index of 109. Boston is the safest city on the list, scoring a 22.
Nationwide, pedestrian deaths account for nearly 12 percent of all traffic fatalities. Older pedestrians are nearly twice as likely to be killed as those under 65, and children also face an increased risk. Pedestrian injuries are the third leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of 16.
Racial and ethnic minorities also suffer disproportionately high pedestrian death rates, and male pedestrians are killed at twice the rate of females.
A majority of pedestrian deaths occur on arterial roadways with speed limits of 40 miles per hour or greater, which often are not built with pedestrian safety in mind. A pedestrian hit by a car traveling at 40 mph faces a mere 15 percent chance of survival, and the survival rate drops off further at higher speeds.
Pedestrians are three times more likely to be killed at non-intersections than intersections, and only one in ten fatalities occurs inside a crosswalk.
Clearly accidents involving pedestrians are a very dangerous form of motor vehicle accident. If you or someone in your family has been injured in such an accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at our firm to discuss your specific case.
