Pedestrian Accidents

How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 5,000 pedestrians are killed and over 70,000 suffer serious injuries each year in the United States. Whether taking a walk in the neighborhood, walking to work or school, or crossing a busy intersection, everyone is a pedestrian at some point.

What Can Motorists Do to Prevent Pedestrian Accidents?

All motorists have a responsibility to obey the rules of the road and make safety a priority, particularly when there are pedestrians in the vicinity. The following are safety tips that motorists should keep in mind at all times:

• Avoid distractions. Distracted driving is dangerous under any circumstances, but particularly when there are pedestrians in the area. Talking and texting on the phone, interacting with another passenger, reaching for something in the back seat, or changing the radio station are all examples of behavior that takes a driver’s attention off the road.
• Do not drink and drive. Alcohol has a negative impact on motorists’ reaction times, coordination, and cognitive functions. Motorists who are under the influence of alcohol are less able to notice pedestrians and stop in time to avoid a devastating collision.
• Look for pedestrians. Motorists are urged to be aware of their surroundings and look for pedestrians, particularly when driving in residential areas, in school zones, near parks, and in urban areas.
• Watch out for children. Children do not always pay attention to traffic signs or follow the rules when it comes to crosswalks and stop signs. Small children tend to run into the road or cross the street without looking. Use extra caution when driving in areas where there are likely to be children walking or riding their bikes.
• Follow the speed limit. The faster a car is traveling, the more severe the injuries are likely to be in the event of a pedestrian accident. Always obey the posted speed limit, particularly in school zones and residential areas.
• Motorists should not assume that a pedestrian sees the car. When a pedestrian is crossing the street, make eye contact with them to make sure they know that the motorist is giving them the right-of-way.

What Are the Most Common Injuries in a Pedestrian Accident?

Unfortunately, when a pedestrian is hit by a car, the resulting injuries are often severe or fatal. Since there is nothing protecting pedestrians from the force of the impact, even a minor accident can cause serious injuries. The following are examples of common injuries that occur in pedestrian accidents:

• Lower extremity injuries. Close to half of pedestrians injured in car accidents suffer injuries to the lower part of their bodies, including trauma to the ligaments and muscles, pelvis fractures, cuts and lacerations, and broken bones.
• Injuries to the head, face, and neck. After lower extremities, these are the second most common body parts that are injured in pedestrian accidents. When the body strokes the windshield or the hood of the vehicle, the pedestrian can suffer neck injuries, jaw fractures, lacerations, concussions, skull damage, and shoulder displacements.
• Injuries to the upper extremities. These are the third most common type of injuries that occur in pedestrian accidents. Oftentimes, they occur when a pedestrian lands on the hood of the car or is tossed over the vehicle. A large percentage of pedestrians suffer from these types of injuries, including musculoskeletal injuries involving the arms, hands, and wrists, and injuries to the abdomen or chest. The most common types of upper extremity injury that occurs in pedestrian accidents are head injuries, which tend to be severe and often fatal.