Pedestrian Hit by a Car? Here’s What You Need to Know

In 2018 alone, there were nearly 6,200 pedestrian fatalities across the United States, according to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This represents the largest single-year increase in pedestrian fatality rates since 1990 when the agency began tracking such statistics.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., says that while the overall number of people walking around the streets has increased over the past few decades, most of those trips are short ones. They're often taken to cross the street, go shopping, or walk pets. But GHSA points out that many of these trips involve crossing roads where cars are speeding along at high speeds. And even though it's illegal to run red lights and stop signs, drivers still do it.

According to the group, some of the reasons behind the rise in pedestrian deaths include:

• Increased use of SUVs and pickup trucks
• More distracted driving
• Lack of sidewalks
• Poor urban planning
• Failure to adopt safe practices like wearing reflective clothing and helmets

Pedestrian accidents are among the most common types of traffic crashes. Pedestrians account for about one out of every five motor vehicle fatalities each year. According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), pedestrians are 1.5 times as likely to die in a car accident as those riding in vehicles.

The CDC suggests several ways to help prevent pedestrian injuries and deaths. These include wearing appropriate clothing, such as bright colors and reflective materials, and carrying identification. Drivers must always yield to pedestrians crossing in crosswalks, even if it means slowing down or stopping completely.

If you are hit by a motor vehicle while walking, here are some things you should do immediately following the accident:

• Call 911.
• Remain calm.
• Make sure that you are wearing appropriate clothing and shoes.
• Take note of the location where the accident occurred.
• Note down the make, model, and color of the vehicle involved.
• Describe what happened to you.
• Be careful not to move anything around.
• Stay away from the scene of the accident.
• Avoid talking about the incident with anyone except emergency personnel.
• Keep a copy of your medical records and insurance information.
• Contact your personal injury attorney.

An experienced accident lawyer in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, can help you with your accident case. Contact us today at www.thorntonesquirelawgroup.com for a free consultation.