American Roads & Cars Are Too Dangerous for Pedestrians

Many would argue that there is nothing “accidental” about pedestrian deaths because many are, in some ways, part of a pattern and practice more indicative of laws and regulations that do not seem concerned about pedestrian injuries and fatalities. In 2022, more than 7,500 pedestrians were killed on our roads, reflecting the highest rate of death for pedestrians in the last 40 years. The two factors that are a part of this pattern and practice are vehicles that are getting bigger and heavier, and more and more people living in places with dangerous roads.

Yet we still live in a society that seems to view these fatalities on a case-by-case basis, as “just another accident,” even though the majority of them seem to share striking commonalities. Examples include areas that repeatedly involve pedestrian accidents: Cars hitting pedestrians after mistakenly turning and entering walking or bike paths; the exact same events, same routes, same locations, same mechanisms of harm, etc.; over and over again. People who had been killed there before and after, on the same path, by drivers doing the exact same thing.

More Than Just Negligent Driving

The truth is that many of these accidents involve more than just negligent drivers; they involve, for example, an area that is simply too confusing to drivers to avoid hitting pedestrians: Areas that look like adjacent roads, with double yellow lines running down the middle, and nothing preventing a car or truck from turning onto it. As a result, there are sometimes also local governments who must also be held accountable for failing to take reasonable steps to prevent serious harm and/or death.

Unsafe Vehicles

The issue is also simply that the vehicles have become much more dangerous for pedestrians because they are heavier and bigger, and this includes such “progressive” vehicles as electric cars, which are known for being heavier due to the presence of large batteries. The truth of the matter is that when a car is rated for safety, that rating has nothing to do with safety for pedestrians and only incorporates safety ratings for passengers of the vehicle itself.

If You’ve Been Hurt As A Pedestrian, Contact Our Macon, Georgia Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a pedestrian, it is critical that you speak with an experienced Macon pedestrian accident attorney immediately, as these cases can become complex and even involve more than one responsible party.  At the Law Offices of Buzzell, Welsh & Hill, we will help you navigate the process, gather evidence, address the issue of insurance company involvement, and represent you, if necessary. Contact us today to schedule a free confidential consultation to find out more.

Source:

slate.com/technology/2023/07/pedestrian-deaths-road-safety-traffic-accidents.html