Santa Clara Pedestrian Accident Injury Lawyers
Northern California Fatal Pedestrian Accidents
The human body is not meant to withstand the impact of a motor vehicle. When cars collide with pedestrians, there is a strong possibility that there will be a fatality. Pedestrian deaths occur far too often in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Association and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tell us that 5,000 pedestrians are killed each year in the United States. An additional 64,000 are injured in motor vehicle accidents - every single year. As startling as these statistics are, we know from research into hospital records that only a fraction of pedestrian accidents resulting in injuries are ever even recorded by law enforcement. It is estimated by Safe Kids Worldwide that the total cost of pedestrian death and injury among children ages 1 to 14 is $5.2 billion per year.
According to the National Highway Traffic Association:
- Over 180,000 pedestrians have died as a result of injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents between 1975 - 2005.
- Pedestrian fatalities account for 11% of all motor vehicle fatalities.
- A pedestrian is injured in a traffic collision every 8 minutes.
- A pedestrian is killed in a traffic collision every 111 minutes.
The National Safety Council tells us that some of the common factors in pedestrian fatalities are:
- There is a higher ratio of deaths to injuries in rural areas due to higher impact speeds on rural roads.
- Almost 2/3 of pedestrian fatalities occur on rural roads.
- About 69% of pedestrian fatalities are male.
- Most pedestrian fatalities occur on roads without crosswalks.
- Most pedestrian fatalities occur on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - in the evening.
- Elderly pedestrians are more likely to die from injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident.
- Speeding is a leading cause of death in a pedestrian accident - a pedestrian has an 85% chance of death in a crash at 40 mph; a 45% chance of death in a crash at 30 mph; a 5% chance of death at 20 mph.
- Driver negligence is the most common cause of pedestrian death.
If your loved one has been killed in a pedestrian accident, the compassionate and experienced San Jose pedestrian accident wrongful death attorneys at the Van Der Walde & Associates law firm understand the grief and outrage that you are feeling. We have years of experience in tracking down these negligent drivers and holding them responsible for the heartbreak that they cause to grieving families. We will work with you and guide you through the complex legal process until the guilty parties are brought to justice and you have received compensation for your losses - economic and non-economic. Call our law firm today so that we can begin an immediate investigation into your loved one's accident and preserve valuable evidence. We offer a free evaluation of your case (877) 862-6288.
