While the number of auto drivers and passengers in the United States killed in accidents has declined for the third year in a row, dangers to those outside of motor vehicles remains constant. Every day, pedestrians and bicyclists are injured and killed in accidents caused by distracted and negligent drivers. The Governors Highway Safety Association estimates that in 2018, 6,227 pedestrian fatalities occurred in the United States, representing the highest number in nearly thirty years, and a four percent increase from 2017.

In recent years, automakers have rolled out safety features to increase the ability of motorists to detect pedestrians and cyclists, but these features are not available on all vehicles, and are far from fool-proof. Pedestrians and bicyclists often cannot anticipate what drivers will do and do not always have time to react at crucial moments. When a crash occurs between a car and a pedestrian, it is most likely the individual outside the vehicle who suffers most from the impact.

At Levene Gouldin and Thompson, our attorneys have extensive experience representing injured bicyclists and pedestrians. We are well-aware of the dangers that bicyclists and pedestrians face on the roadways each day, and use our expertise to zealously advocate for injured parties. Unfortunately drivers sometimes wrongfully deny responsibility for an accident.  In those cases we have retained experts to reconstruct the events to prove the fault of the driver and hold them accountable for their negligence. 

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident while walking, jogging or riding a bicycle, you may be entitled to receive compensation for medical expenses and other losses associated with your injury. Contact an attorney at Levene Gouldin and Thompson to find out how.

Sources:

Traffic Safety Facts, National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812681 (last visited August 8, 2019).

Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2018 Preliminary Data, Governors Highway Safety Association, https://www.ghsa.org/resources/Pedestrians19 (last visited August 8, 2019).