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Greater attention being paid to avoiding pedestrian accidents

On Behalf of | Oct 15, 2021 | Injuries

In Kentucky and across the United States, October is dedicated to pedestrian safety with National Pedestrian Safety Month. This is not a random step to remind people on the road to be vigilant about pedestrians. It is to address a rising problem and prevent injuries and fatalities in auto-pedestrian collisions. Even if the initiative and attempt to highlight the dangers pedestrians face yields positive results, it is unfortunately unavoidable that pedestrian crashes will continue to happen for a litany of reasons. Those who have been injured or lost a loved one should have a fundamental understanding of how to address the problems that can come up in the aftermath.

Local and national entities focus on pedestrian safety

Working in tandem, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) are working to make the roads safer for pedestrians. In 2020 alone, there were 92 pedestrians in Kentucky who lost their lives in an accident. Nighttime driving was a major factor as 73 of the deaths happened after dark. To date in 2021, there have been 50 pedestrian fatalities with 36 happening after dark.

A prominent concern is distraction. That is true for both drivers and pedestrians. In addition, the prevalence of reckless driving behaviors is a known problem. Since pedestrians have no protection, being hit by any vehicle can cause broken bones, brain trauma, spinal cord damage, internal injuries and more. These can be life-changing and expensive not just financially, but personally. For example, even if a person who was hit recovers after treatment, they might never return to the way they were before, contribute to a family, work the same job and be the same person. This should be addressed.

Professional advice may help with personal injury litigation

Often, a pedestrian accident is due to a driver’s behavior. Gathering evidence about how and why the accident occurred is a vital aspect of personal injury litigation. Immediately after the crash, those who were impacted should be aware of their rights. Contacting and consulting with those who are experienced in these cases and pursuing a claim can provide information and guidance with how to proceed.