More Utah pedestrians being hurt or killed in accidents

March 28, 2013

More Utah pedestrians being hurt or killed in accidents

A study just released by the Utah Department of Public Safety shows an alarming trend: more Utah pedestrians are being injured or killed in pedestrian-versus-car accidents. The report provides data from 2002 through 2011 (statistics are not yet available for 2012), and shows that the pedestrian injury rate is the highest it has been in 10 years. The total number of pedestrian accidents - 886 in 2011 - has also peaked.

The most alarming data from the report concerns fatal pedestrian accidents. While pedestrians struck by cars account for only 1.3 percent of total motor vehicle-related accidents in Utah, they represent more than 10 percent of the state's total accident fatality rate. In fact, pedestrians are nearly 11 times more likely to be killed in an accident than vehicle occupants.

Pedestrians are also more likely to be injured in an accident than vehicle occupants, with 86 percent of pedestrians injured in a collision, compared to only 17 percent of people in an automobile.

Troubling driver behaviors

The report not only provides startling statistics about pedestrian injury and fatality rates, but also gives an in-depth look at the scenarios in which accidents occur. For example, about 30 percent of pedestrian accidents occur when a driver is attempting to turn and doesn't see a pedestrian crossing the street. Several other driver behaviors also caused a sizable number of pedestrian accidents.
These include:
-Speeding
-Failing to yield the right of way
-Distracted driving
-Reckless driving
-Vehicle defects (that cause the driver to lose control)
-Not looking carefully while backing up

Staying safe

Obviously, pedestrians do not enjoy the many protective safety features that vehicle occupants have, but there are still ways to stay safe while sharing the road with motorists. The Department of Public Safety's "Heads Up" campaign offers tips to pedestrians about the best way to coexist with drivers, including:

-Using properly marked crosswalks whenever possible
-Looking both ways before stepping into traffic, even in a crosswalk or when a crossing signal is activated
-Wearing reflective clothing and carrying a flashlight when walking at night or in inclement weather
-Using sidewalks whenever possible
-Walking facing traffic when along the shoulder of the road (not walking with the flow of traffic)
-Using extra caution around parking lots or driveways, since many pedestrian accidents occur at points where vehicles are merging with traffic

Getting help

First and foremost, if you have been injured in a pedestrian-versus-car accident, seek medical attention immediately. After treatment has been administered, you will likely have questions about who will pay for your medical bills or compensate you for lost wages while you recover: an experienced personal injury attorney in your area can provide the knowledge you need about your legal rights and options you may have to hold responsible parties accountable.

Article provided by Eisenberg & Gilchrist
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