More Utah pedestrians being hurt or killed in accidents

A record number of Utah pedestrians are being seriously injured or killed in pedestrian-versus-car accidents.

2013-03-28

March 28, 2013 (Press-News.org) 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
Visit us at www.eisenbergandgilchrist.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

The New Medical Negligence Apology and Notice Laws: A Bold New Frontier for Newborn Safety

2013-03-28

Introduction. When a child is born with severe birth injuries such as kernicterus (brain damage) due to extreme jaundice, parents often do not realize that anything is wrong with their baby until days, months, or sometimes years later. That is because jaundice in a newborn baby is too often considered a harmless condition by health care providers. Parents walk out of the hospital smiling broadly, with a yellow newborn in their arms, believing that she is perfectly healthy with a nice tan. They frequently are told by nurses just to stick the baby in the sun for a while. ...

4 Year Old Dies Because of Hospital Mistake

2013-03-28

A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of an Illinois family following their 4-year-old son's death from an overdose of hydrocodone. The boy was brought to CSF Saint Anthony's Medical Center for a standard tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. While in the hospital, the child was administered heavy narcotic medication including morphine and Vicodin. Upon discharge the mother was given a prescription for more Vicodin and instructions to give it to her son once every 4 hours. Several hours later that night, the mother awoke to the sound of gasping for air from her son and called ...

The Hidden Dangers Of Cheerleading

2013-03-28

Decades ago, cheerleaders led crowds at sporting events with pom-poms, clapping and toe kicks. Those days are gone. Today, cheerleading is a competitive, physically demanding activity that takes place year-round. Complex stunts, pyramid building and athletes tossed high in the air have taken the place of the splits, and the injuries show it. In fact, cheerleading accounts for more than 65 percent of all catastrophic injuries suffered by female high school athletes during the past 25 years. The catastrophic injuries from the sport may cause permanent brain injuries, paralysis ...

Older Motorcyclists May Suffer More Severe Injuries In Accidents

2013-03-28

The idea that Americans are settling into rocking chairs as they age is now a myth, if it was ever true. Both younger and older baby boomers -- those born between 1946 and 1964 -- are turning to new hobbies or reconnecting with activities they enjoyed in their younger years. Among the new activities: motorcycles. Between 1998 and 2003, the mean age of motorcycle owners rose from 33 to 43, according to an industry trade association. About a quarter of motorcycle riders in the U.S. are 50 or older. This newfound or rediscovered joy of the open road could come with consequences ...

Medical Malpractice in Illinois

2013-03-28

Medical malpractice is an act or omission by a medical professional that results in medical care that fails to meet accepted standards. It can include a variety of errors such as failure to diagnose, medication errors and surgical errors. Medical malpractice claims are generally litigated in a manner similar to that of other negligence claims in Illinois, although some specific requirements are different. Illinois law also regulates caps for medical malpractice awards. Malpractice procedures must involve experts The Illinois General Assembly provides rules for filing ...

Knoxville Bankruptcy Lawyers, Clark & Washington, Discuss Hostess' Money Troubles

2013-03-28

The bankruptcy attorneys in Knoxville, Clark & Washington, would like to turn their attention towards Hostess' recent decision to file for bankruptcy. Not many people would have thought that the company that produced the famous treat Twinkies would have gone under, but the Knoxville bankruptcy attorneys note that anything can happen in this economy. Suffering from poor sales, the business has made the move to auction off its brands. According to the law firm, Hostess has been successful in attempts to auction off its bread brands, which has been a back and forth struggle ...

Learn from David Buick's Bankruptcy, Suggest Nashville Bankruptcy Experts, Clark & Washington

2013-03-28

Although car mogul, David Buick, was a great inventor, his brilliance in automotive design did not correspond with his financial insight or managerial skills. The Nashville bankruptcy attorneys at Clark & Washington discuss his story. In 1902, with $5,000 in his pocket, Buick created Buick Manufacturing Co. Three cars were developed, but that was not enough to make his business sustainable. He was forced to borrow money from a friend who instead of lending him the money introduced him to a firm that was going into car production. Buick teamed up with the company, ...

Hoping To Keep The Drama Relative To The Race This Year, The Boat Race Returns For Another Gruelling Contest

2013-03-28

Easter arrives early this year and with it comes the welcome addition of two Bank Holidays. London fully embraces the holiday with egg hunts galore - for adults and children alike - plenty of family friendly events and, of course, a number of church services. Easter is also a major celebration of food and, for those hoping to eat more than just chocolate, a number of London restaurants can be conveniently booked through LondonTown.com. Sunday sees the return of The Boat Race, a highly competitive race between London's two most prestigious universities. This year's race ...

Bibiyan Family Philanthropic Foundation Now Accepting 2013 Applicants For Highly Coveted BFPF Award

2013-03-28

The BFPF Award for Social Good will be awarded annually to Social Media and High Tech companies that manage to leverage the social web and new media to effectively bring about meaningful change via charitable causes or other non-profit means. Says Founder Tom Bibiyan "We want to hear from other innovative companies that are really using the web make a significant social difference. If you think your company has what it takes, we'd love to hear from you." Interested parties and companies may submit their creative concept for social good via the website at ...

iCAN Named SIIA Education CODiE Award Finalist for Best PK-12 Personalized Learning Solution and Best Instructional Solution in Other Curriculum Areas

2013-03-28

Eugene, Oregon-based AVANT ASSESMENT today announced that iCAN was named a finalist for the 2013 SIIA Education CODiE Awards for Best PK-12 Personalized Learning Solution and Best Instructional Solution in Other Curriculum Areas. The SIIA CODiE Awards the premier award for the software and information industries, and have been recognizing product excellence for 27 years. The awards have over 75 categories and are organized by industry focus of Content, Education and Software. This year's program features 23 Education categories, several of which are new or updated to ...

More Utah pedestrians being hurt or killed in accidents

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: