Nobody expects to get hurt when they are simply out walking. But pedestrians have no protection if a negligent driver hits them with a vehicle while they are walking down the side of the road or crossing the street. Pedestrian accidents that leave people seriously injured or killed happen every year.
A study from Car Insurance Comparison finds that Delaware is the third-most dangerous state for pedestrians.
Researchers examined data on pedestrian deaths from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including information on state, race, sex, and age. They used state population data from the U.S. Census Bureau to determine the accident rate in each state.
Careless driving a major cause of accidents
The study notes that Delaware had 32 pedestrian deaths in 2019, and had a death rate of 3.29 fatalities per 100,000 residents – that’s 74.1% higher than the national pedestrian death rate of 1.89 and 112% higher than the median for all states.
In 2019, there were 6,205 pedestrians killed throughout the United States. The top 10 states in the study accounted for half of those deaths, according to researchers.
“What's happening at intersections, the length of blocks, the width of roads, these are things that are contributing to pedestrian deaths, in addition to, pedestrians talking on the phone, as well as drivers talking on the phone being distracted while driving,” said Laura Adams, senior analyst at Car Insurance Comparison.
The study notes that while Delaware often ranks fairly well among states with the best drivers, it has struggled with the issue of careless driving that leads to pedestrian and bicyclist deaths.
The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) hopes to reduce pedestrian deaths through its “Walk Smart Arrive Alive” campaign, encouraging pedestrians to take extra steps to protect themselves against careless drivers.
“We really want to encourage pedestrians to wear reflective items, to carry a flash light, if they don't have a flash light on them they can use the light feature on their cellphone and then you know walk where drivers may expect to see you,” said Kimberly Chesser, OHS director.
Ultimately, however, pedestrians can only control themselves. Motorists have to do their part and share the road responsibly. If they don't, they must be held accountable.
If you’ve been injured, call an experienced car accident lawyer
Negligent drivers are the biggest threat to pedestrian safety. This includes drivers who speed or drive recklessly. Some drivers are texting or are distracted by something else and aren’t paying attention to the road in front of them. Others are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Lives can be changed in seconds in a pedestrian accident. Some people suffer fatal injuries. Others can suffer head trauma, back injuries or broken bones. Medical expenses can add up quickly and become overwhelming. Pedestrians who are hit by a negligent driver deserve financial compensation – but the legal process can be complicated.
Negligent drivers often deny doing anything wrong. Insurance companies will try to pay as little as possible to protect their bottom line and have lawyers looking out for their best interests. That’s why you need an experienced car accident attorney to fight for you if you’ve been injured in Georgetown or anywhere in Sussex County.
The attorneys at the Law Office of Edward C. Gill, P.A. have been getting the results our clients need for decades. We build strong cases and fight the insurance companies to recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.