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Is California One of the Deadliest Places for Pedestrians in the Country?

There are a lot of lists California is at the top of and unfortunately some of them are not lists we want to be on. For example, are we one of the deadliest places for pedestrian accidents in the entire United States? Keep reading to get the facts and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you have been injured in a pedestrian accident and need help from an experienced personal injury attorney.

The Truth About Pedestrian Accidents

Most people walk outside their homes at some point in the day. Whether in parking lots, on busy roadways, or on streets. Would you be startled to learn that on an average day, 13 people die after being struck by a vehicle while walking? There are many reasons for this, including the fact that both metro and rural areas are exploding in population – and pedestrians are not always considered when cities are created.

The Deadliest Places in the United States for Pedestrians

Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NTHSA) report that there is an overall increase in pedestrian deaths. One in-depth study found that it was not just an issue everywhere, but there are certain areas in which growing percentages of pedestrian fatalities are occurring.

As would be expected, the highest number of deaths happen in urban centers, which make them the most dangerous places in the country. Florida is the worst state and eight of its cities are within the ten most dangerous pedestrian cities. The other two cities were in Mississippi and Tennessee.

The Causes of Fatal Pedestrian Accidents

Of course, car collisions are the most common factor that leads to pedestrian deaths – but what are the leading causes of pedestrian-car collisions? Studies show that it is largely an issue with the way the city and streets are maintained. Outdated streets, communities that were poorly designed in the first place, and the prioritization of cars over people and bike riders are all partially to blame.

As communities expand quickly, there are more cars on the roads, and many roads were not built with such high traffic in mind. This means that many streets are only improved insofar as they are improved for vehicle traffic while pedestrian traffic is not considered at all.

Contact an Attorney if You Have Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident

If you have suffered an injury as a pedestrian, then you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You can contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker now at 800-333-0000 to request a free legal consultation.