While the total number of fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes saw a slight decline in 2018, statistics show a disturbing trend continues over pedestrian deaths along American roadways.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released its 2018 statistics showing 6,283 pedestrians were killed in 2018 – more than in any year since 1990.
Pennsylvania makes a dubious top 10
The Keystone State saw a 41% increase in pedestrian fatalities with 90 in 2018 compared to 64 in 2017, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Here are the top 10:
Distracted drivers, larger vehicles blamed
Safety advocates say while NHTSA’s report shows traffic deaths involving distracted drivers declined overall in 2018, drivers who do not pay attention are still responsible for too many deaths on highways and streets. Advocates say another trend – America’s love affair with larger vehicles, such as SUVs and pickup trucks, is causing more catastrophic injuries to people and damage to other cars.
State and local governments need to do more
The report says while the number of pedestrian deaths in rural areas hasn’t changed in the past decade, pedestrian deaths have risen by 69% in and around cities. Safety groups say politicians must do their part to improve safety for walkers by lowering speed limits, creating pedestrian-only spaces and upgrading traffic signals and crosswalks.
Pedestrians suffer catastrophic and long-lasting injuries
While more than 6,000 pedestrians were killed in 2018, thousands more were injured, and many suffer from permanent or long-term physical and financial consequences. At Marston Law Offices, we have represented those who are injured as well as defendants who may be responsible, giving us a comprehensive perspective to fight for your best interests here in Pennsylvania.
Written by: Daniel K. Deardorff Ask anyone who has been involved in a worker’s compensation case and they will tell you that it is no walk in the park. Instead, it is more like a walk through a minefield! Without an experienced attorney by your side, you can encounter any number of pitfalls that […]
Martson Law Offices Shareholder George B. Faller Jr. just concluded representation of a woman that had tripped and fallen in a national retail store. She suffered a concussion because she struck her head when she landed. She was knocked unconscious and taken away by ambulance. She made a nice recovery but had over $8,500 in […]
Martson Law Offices has been serving clients in Central Pennsylvania for more than six decades. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge you’d find at a big-city law firm, but we also have deep roots in the community and understands the legal issues facing our clients locally.
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