Despite some recent campaigns to build "walkable" cities and to replace automobiles with trains, cars are not going away any time soon. They are ingrained in American culture and our transportation system. They will continue to be the leading method of transportation and one of the leading causes of death in the United States.
Luckily, most modern cars come equipped with a plethora of safety features like airbags, bumpers and crumple-resistant cabins. But all of these protections only protect the occupants of a car, not pedestrians. Pedestrians continue to suffer a disproportionate amount of fatalities when they are in car accidents.
The Centers for Disease Control puts out studies and safety tips on a variety of topics, including pedestrian injuries and fatalities. This article will go over its findings and how they may help you navigate everyday life.
In 2013, 4,735 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents. And over 150,000 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to car crashes. According to the CDC, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than vehicle occupants to be killed in a car accident.
There are two groups that are far more at risk than others: children and older adults. A tragic 20 percent of children who died in a car accident were pedestrians. Pedestrians of 65 years of age and above have also accounted for nearly 20 percent of all pedestrian deaths.
The CDC advises that pedestrians do the following to reduce the danger:
- Walk on the sidewalk or in a crosswalk whenever possible.
- If there is no sidewalk, then walk on the shoulder facing traffic. Facing traffic allows you to see oncoming dangers and perhaps avoid them.
- The majority of pedestrian deaths occur at night, so the CDC advises you to carry a flashlight or wear reflectors to alert cars to your presence.
If you were injured in a car accident, then you may want to speak to an attorney. You may have a valid legal claim to damages for your injuries. An attorney can review your case and advise you of your options.