Pedestrian Deaths by Motor Vehicles on the Rise

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Pedestrian Accidents

Major cities always have more pedestrian accidents than suburbs or rural communities. This, of course, is for obvious reasons: the greater the number of people walking around a busy or congested traffic area, the greater the number of occurring accidents.

In recent years, several major cities across the country have taken serious measures to bring the number of accidents involving pedestrians way down, though it does not necessarily seem to be working.

As reported by the New York Daily News, pedestrian deaths from motor vehicles are on the uptick in New York City. And noted in a report issued in January by the New York Police Department, there could be an estimated 200 pedestrian deaths caused by motor vehicles in New York by the end of 2014. Different police statistics show that this is a significant increase from the 156 pedestrian fatalities in 2013, the 152 reported in 2012, or the 142 reported in 2011.

According to The Huffington Post, Chicago is not faring much better. In 2012, 48 pedestrians were killed on Chicago streets – the highest number of pedestrian fatalities since 2008. In previous years, reports The Huffington Post, Chicago Police Department data hovered in the 30s for number of pedestrians killed by motor vehicles. And that is only the number of people killed. In 2011, according to the city’s Pedestrian Crash Analysis, and as reported by The Huffington Post, “more than 3,000 Chicago pedestrians were hit by cars in 2011.”

Some statisticians speculate that texting at the wheel could be to blame. It could also have to do with the number of pedestrians distracted by devices or mp3 players while walking through the streets. While Illinois state law requires drivers (and cyclists) to stop at pedestrian crosswalks to give pedestrians the right of way, if a pedestrian is entirely involved in his or her phone, for example, it is not difficult to see how an accident could occur.

Regardless, if you were injured in an accident that occurred while you were walking, you are likely eligible for compensation. Do not go through it alone. Contact Salvi & Maher, LLP today.