According to a new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), projections based on data from the first half of 2021 indicate that pedestrian traffic fatalities for the entire year will reach a 40-year high in the U.S. The report projects pedestrian fatalities in New York to rise by 22.8 percent from 241 in […]
New York Pedestrian Collisions
According to a new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), projections based on data from the first half of 2021 indicate that pedestrian traffic fatalities for the entire year will reach a 40-year high in the U.S. The report projects pedestrian fatalities in New York to rise by 22.8 percent from 241 in 2020 to 298 in 2021. The GHSA cited reckless driving practices as one of the leading causes for this rise in deadly pedestrian accidents.
Although any motor vehicle collision can lead to injury, pedestrians face a higher risk of severe injury or death. Along with the emotional trauma, pain, and suffering, and the period of rehabilitation that often accompanies serious injuries, injured pedestrians often incur costly medical bills, prolonged time off work, costs for supportive services, and other accident-related expenses.
While the GHSA report noted several factors behind the increase in pedestrian fatalities, the proliferation of certain unsafe driving practices constituted one of the most significant factors. While the report referenced several driving behaviors, two of the most significant dangerous driving practices noted included alcohol-impaired driving and speeding.
Alcohol-Impaired Drivers: The number of reported drunk drivers (i.e., motorists with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit) involved in fatal pedestrian collisions jumped by over 16% during 2020. All 50 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) prohibit driving with a BAC of .08 or higher. The NHTSA advises that drivers with a BAC at this level can experience a wide range of negative effects on their driving ability, including but not limited to impaired perception, poor information processing (e.g., signal or hazard detection), slowed reaction time, impaired concentration, and decreased speed control. When a drunk driver hits a pedestrian, the injury victim will almost always have the right to pursue a lawsuit because drunk driving constitutes negligent conduct.
Unsafe Speed: The findings of the GHSA also singled out a 20% rise in speed-related pedestrian-vehicle collisions. Speeding presents a dual threat to pedestrians because braking distance increases along with the force of impact. Both the likelihood and severity of a pedestrian accident rise when a driver fails to maintain a safe speed. The seriousness of injuries experienced by a pedestrian tends to increase exponentially with increases in speed. The risk of a driver causing the death of pedestrians increases from 10 percent to 90 percent when the motorist’s speed increases from 23 mph to 58 mph.
If you or a loved one have been hurt by a drunk, speeding, or otherwise negligent driver, a seasoned New York pedestrian accident attorney can explain your legal rights and discuss how to protect those rights.
Parker Waichman LLP helps families recover monetary compensation for harm caused by dangerous drivers. For your free consultation, contact our Pedestrian Accident Law Firm today by using our live chat or calling 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
