California is one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians

California’s mild weather often beckons residents outdoors. Many Californians decide to incorporate a daily outdoor walk or run into their schedule, to get in some exercise. However, California also is one of the riskiest states for pedestrians to become victims in car accidents.

In the first six months of 2019, 519 pedestrians died in traffic accidents in California. That was a 12% increase from the same time period in 2018. Overall, California ranked first for pedestrian accident in 2019, ahead of Florida and Texas. While traffic levels plunged during state lockdowns in early 2020, California Highway Patrol officials noted a dramatic increase in drivers speeding, sometimes with drivers caught going more than 100 miles per hour. With those increased speeds came more accident and injury risks for pedestrians.

Pedestrian accident risks

When a car hits a pedestrian, the likelihood of the pedestrian suffering a serious injury or death is high. Safety experts cite numerous reasons why pedestrian deaths have been on the rise in California and across the United States:

1. More drivers are spending more time driving, increasing the risks of accidents.
2. More drivers are driving while distracted, increasing the chances a driver won’t see a pedestrian and hit them.
3. More drivers choose to own SUVs. The larger a vehicle, the more weight it has. When a larger vehicle hits a pedestrian, more force is involved, making it more likely a pedestrian will suffer serious or deadly injuries.

Pedestrians recovering injury costs

For pedestrians involved in vehicle accidents, they can recover the costs for their medical bills and recovery costs through a personal injury claim. Most often, drivers are at fault for pedestrian accidents and a personal injury claim will go through the driver’s insurance company.

Pedestrians should consult a personal injury attorney to ensure they receive maximum compensation for the injuries they suffer in a vehicle accident. Family members who lost a loved one in a pedestrian vehicle accident should consider a wrongful death lwsuit, especially if they now are suffering financially because of lost income from their loved one’s passing.

Suffering serious injuries or losing a loved one in a pedestrian vehicle accident is life-altering. No one should have to worry about how they will pay their or a loved one’s medical bills because of someone else’s negligence. That’s why consulting a personal injury can help, so you and your family can move forward.