When it comes to statistics in California motor vehicle accident-related deaths, 24 percent of the fatalities in the state are pedestrians. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety(IIHS) recently reported that nationwide pedestrians killed in vehicle crashes soared by 46 percent between 2009 and 2016. The National Transportation Safety Board also weighed in on the subject, reporting that an average of 16 pedestrians are killed daily in this country.
During 2016 and 2017, over 40,000 fatalities occurred on the nation’s highways for each year. There are a multitude of reasons blamed for the staggering numbers from electronic device distractions to speed limit increases on the roadways. There also seems to be an upsurge in larger and heavier passenger vehicles, and when single car accidents kill a pedestrian, the vehicle is often a large SUV or one with a greater than average horsepower.
Some pedestrian accidents seem to have a blood alcohol correlation. It was determined that in 2016, alcohol was present in the blood at 0.08 percent or above of approximately 34 percent of the pedestrians killed who were 16 years of age or older. In the same year, 13 percent of the drivers implicated in pedestrian fatalities were under the influence of alcohol also with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher.
Motor vehicle accidents can cause horrific problems for anyone, but when catastrophic injuries or fatalities occur, it can change the lives of many people indefinitely. If someone sustains crash injuries, brain, or spinal cord injuries in a motor vehicle accident, they may never again enjoy a good quality of life. Drunk drivers or distracted drivers may be held responsible, but consulting with a personal injury attorney who understands the laws might be a good place to find sound advice.