As the weather warms up in the spring and summer and people begin to spend more time outdoors, the number of pedestrians on the roads will increase. Unfortunately, this means that pedestrian accidents will be more likely to occur. Pedestrians who are struck by cars or trucks are likely to experience multiple types of severe injuries, and in many cases, these accidents are fatal. By understanding the reasons that these types of accidents occur, injury victims can determine who was responsible, and they can take action to recover financial compensation that will address their injuries and other damages.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Data released by the Illinois Department of Transportation for 2020 shows that while pedestrians were involved in only 1.3 percent of all motor vehicle accidents, these accidents accounted for 15.8 percent of fatal crashes and 5.8 percent of crashes involving injuries. The risks that pedestrians face are significant, and some of the most common factors that play a role in pedestrian accidents include:
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Alcohol use - Around 46 percent of all fatal pedestrian accidents involve some consumption of alcohol by either a driver or pedestrian. While pedestrians may be at higher risk of being injured if they have consumed alcohol, drivers who are intoxicated are much more likely to cause injuries to others. Drunk driving significantly affects a driver’s ability to notice and respond to pedestrians, and an intoxicated driver is much more likely to inflict serious or fatal injuries in a collision.
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