Motor Vehicle Accidents Pose Serious Risk for Utah Pedestrians

October 03, 2012

With the back-to-school season in full swing, it is a good time to review pedestrian safety tips for both you and your youngsters. Pedestrian traffic accidents are a serious concern in Utah and across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle accidents resulted in over 4,800 pedestrian fatalities in 2007. In addition, over 118,000 pedestrians sustained injuries due to such accidents that year.

Utah has not been immune to these tragic accidents. The Utah Department of Health reports that there are approximately 40 pedestrian fatalities in Utah in a given year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ranked Utah 29th in the country for the number of pedestrian deaths between 1996 and 2005.

While that puts Utah in the safer half of the country, citywide the state does not fare as well. In 2004, the Salt Lake City/Ogden area was considered the 31st most dangerous metro area for pedestrians in the nation.

In addition to the traffic fatalities, many Utah pedestrians sustain personal injuries severe enough to result in hospitalization after a motor vehicle accident. For instance, in 2006, medical expenses for the 175 hospitalized individuals in Utah amounted to practically $5 million. Not surprisingly, the rate of injury for pedestrians is extremely high -- 95 percent of pedestrians involved in motor vehicle accidents sustain injuries.

High Risk of Pedestrian Accidents for Utah Children

In Utah and across the country, children are at particular risk of being involved in a pedestrian traffic accident. As children are not as familiar with traffic laws as adults, motorists must be particularly cautious when driving near them. In the U.S., over 39,000 pedestrian children suffer injuries caused by car accidents annually. Shockingly, for children 14 years of age and younger, approximately 20 percent of motor vehicle fatalities involve pedestrian youth.

Moreover, children in Utah are especially susceptible to motor vehicle incidents on private property. These accidents often occur in parking lots and driveways, involve a vehicle traveling at a low rate of speed and frequently in reverse. Despite the speed of the vehicle, these accidents typically result in severe injuries or death. According to the Utah Department of Health, approximately 64 children who are 10 years of age and younger are hit by a motor vehicle on private property each year. In addition, an average of four children are killed in such accidents annually.

While these statistics can be unnerving, it is important to note that action can be taken to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents and fatalities. A good rule of thumb is to always cross the street in a crosswalk, and to look to the left, right and back to the left before venturing into the crosswalk. When walking along the road, it is always best to walk on a sidewalk, if one exists. Additionally, approximately 59 percent of the pedestrian deaths in Utah happen when it is dark, between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Consequently, pedestrians walking at night should always wear reflective clothing.

Utah Pedestrian Personal Injury Lawsuits

Often when a pedestrian is injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident, the driver is partially or wholly responsible for the crash. Utah drivers are required to yield to pedestrians whenever they are crossing at an intersection. Drivers are expected to abide by the posted speed limit and to decelerate near areas frequented by children, such as schools.

When someone is injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, consulting with a skilled personal injury attorney will ensure the party's rights are protected and just compensation is received.

Article provided by Feller & Wendt, LLC
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