According to the Wall Street Journal, almost 6,000 pedestrians were killed in the United States last year. The last time pedestrian deaths were this high was 1983.
No one knows for sure the cause for the rise in pedestrian fatalities but I have some thoughts. When was the last time you saw someone walking across the street whether or not at an intersection wearing ear buds? How many times have you seen a driver talking on their hand held cell phone while juggling a coffee cup in the other hand?
One commentator in The Wall Street Journal article said that alcohol was a “clear factor in the rising death toll” and noted that about one-third of the pedestrians killed in 2016 were legally drunk.
In most states pedestrians have a right-of-way when they are in a cross-walk. That does not mean that a person can simply walk out in front of a car and expect to be injury free.
If you have a questions about a pedestrian injury please contact my law office at 800-640-1064 for a free consultation.
