Are Minorities More Likely to Be Injured or Killed in Pedestrian Accidents?

 Posted on June 08, 2023 in Personal Injury

On our nation's roads, people on foot face serious risks of being hit by vehicles. Pedestrian accidents can be devastating, and they are likely to result in serious or fatal injuries for those who are struck by negligent drivers. Alarmingly, the number of fatal pedestrian accidents has risen significantly in recent years. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), pedestrian deaths reached a 40-year high in 2021, with nearly 7,500 people on foot being killed in car accidents. In the first half of 2022, an average of 19 pedestrians were killed every day.

While these statistics are troubling, trends also indicate that Black and Hispanic people are much more likely to be killed in pedestrian accidents than white people. Studies have found that Black people are more than twice as likely to be hit by vehicles and suffer fatal injuries while walking, while Hispanic people are 1.5 times as likely to be involved in fatal pedestrian accidents. There are a number of reasons for these disparities, and people who are injured in pedestrian accidents or family members of those who were killed after being hit by vehicles will need to understand their options for pursuing compensation for their damages.

Reasons for Pedestrian Accidents Affecting Minorities

All types of pedestrian accidents have become more likely throughout the United States due to a number of factors. There are more large, heavy vehicles on the road, such as trucks and SUVs. These vehicles are designed to protect their occupants, but this has made them more dangerous for pedestrians. With larger vehicles, drivers' view of roads and crosswalks may be obstructed, making it more difficult to notice and avoid pedestrians. When collisions do occur, the size and weight of vehicles will be more likely to inflict severe injuries on a person who is struck.

Another issue that has led to increased numbers of pedestrian accidents involves the design of roads and a lack of proper infrastructure. Many roads are designed to prioritize fast-moving traffic, leading to vehicles traveling at higher speeds through areas where people may be walking near the road or crossing streets at intersections. Wide, straight roads encourage drivers to increase their speed, and this can make it more difficult to slow down in time to avoid striking a pedestrian.

Minorities are especially affected by the infrastructure in their communities that makes roads less safe. Black and Hispanic people are more likely to live in poorer neighborhoods where there has been less investment in traffic safety measures. In many of these communities, roads lack proper sidewalks, and streetlights and traffic lights may not always function correctly. These issues can significantly affect the safety of pedestrians, forcing them to walk close to fast-moving traffic or cross streets unsafely, while also making it more difficult for drivers to notice and avoid people on foot.

Contact Our New York Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

At Ivey, Barnum & O'Mara, LLC, we understand the issues that can affect the safety of pedestrians, and we are dedicated to helping accident victims pursue compensation from those who were responsible for their injuries. We can help hold negligent drivers liable for failing to protect the safety of pedestrians, and we can also help determine whether a city or municipality may be liable for injuries that occurred due to unsafe roads. Contact our Greenwich pedestrian accident attorneys at 203-661-6000 to schedule a free consultation today.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/04/26/opinion/road-deaths-racial-gap.html

https://www.ghsa.org/resources/news-releases/GHSA-Pedestrian-Spotlight23

https://www.ghsa.org/resources/news-releases/NHTSA-2022-Traffic-Deaths23