According to the Michigan State Police, more than 100 pedestrians die annually across the state. Do not let the small number of pedestrians fool you. The truth is, more than 80% of pedestrian victims either die or get seriously injured.
That’s due to many factors. Firstly, there is a lack of safety measures observed by a typical pedestrian. Pedestrians do not wear safety gear typically worn by bicyclists and motorcyclists. They also tend to have a slower time to react to an incoming accident. Secondly, the lack of efficient lighting on the streets causes pedestrian deaths. Most of the recorded deaths by the Michigan State Police take place between 6 PM and 12 midnight.
Factors Affecting the Rise of Pedestrian Fatalities
Despite the different actions that the government takes to reduce the number of pedestrian deaths, the statistics remain consistently increasing. Here are some reasons why the number of pedestrian accident fatalities is on the rise.
- Population growth
More people means more people on the streets. That also means that there are more people in every square meter of land.
Aside from this, the population is also aging. Elderly on the street are more prone to accidents and less likely to survive a severe collision with a car. They spend a long time crossing the road that even an accident with a cyclist could be a fatal one.
There are also new, younger drivers who can be inexperienced or careless on the road. They can be involved in severe accidents with pedestrian fatality.
- Active lifestyle
People nowadays are encouraged to live a more active and healthier lifestyle. Among the latest trends is the use of a pedometer or setting daily running or walking goals to improve one’s endurance and cardiac health. People are encouraged to walk more and reach a certain number of steps per day. Therefore, they spend more time walking on the streets.
Some pedestrian accidents involve joggers or those who train for marathons. These people spend almost everyday training outside, increasing their risk of being in a pedestrian accident.
A more active lifestyle can also mean that people live faster-paced lives with more daily activities. It makes them rush on the street, which can lead to a fatal pedestrian accident.
- Gadgets such as smartphones and GPS
Aside from other factors on the street like traffic lights, other cars, the weather, and more, gadgets are a major contributor to driver distraction. With recent advancements in technology, more people are using smartphones and GPS in their cars. People are always linked through new social media and communication platforms, even when driving.
The truth is, the top reason for vehicular accidents is distracted driving through the use of mobile phones. Other gadgets that can cause distractions inside the car are the radio and GPS. Many drivers resort to navigation apps to find their way, but those can also distract them. When drivers are distracted, they may miss seeing pedestrians crossing the streets or by the sidewalk.
- Increase in vehicle number and size
Not only are there more cars, but most current car models are bigger. The growth of population and economic stability allows more people to be able to afford a private vehicle. That means that there are more cars on the street daily.
Also, gone are the days when smaller cars are the trend. People now prefer SUVs and bigger models for their growing families. The issue is that larger cars are more deadly and can cause severe injuries. SUVs have bigger bodies, larger bodies, and flat bumpers which could hit a pedestrian higher on the body, therefore becoming fatal.
How an Automobile Injury Lawyer Can Help You Win Your Pedestrian Fatality Claims
No matter what the cause of pedestrian death is, this fatality should be taken seriously. There should be someone or something at fault that caused the incident to happen in the first place.
To help us know the root cause of the incident, we would need all the evidence we can get. Afterward, we at The Clark Law Office can assist you with your claims. We are a team of accident attorneys that specialize in road and vehicular accidents. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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