Today’s emphasis on healthy lifestyles and environmental issues has more Pennsylvanians walking and bicycling. But sadly, some of the most horrible road accidents involve pedestrians and bikes in Pennsylvania.
Pit a fully equipped car or truck against an unprotected walker or bicyclist and it is pretty obvious which one will win. And many more of these accidents occur without a car or truck in sight.
Many Pennsylvania pedestrian and bike accidents are due to someone else’s negligence. Even though our state laws grant pedestrians the right of way in almost every situation, drivers who are impaired or distracted may not see them. Bicyclists who share the road with larger vehicles are also at great risk.
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Facts About Pedestrian Accidents
When a car strikes a pedestrian, the injuries can be catastrophic and sometimes fatal. Here are some sobering facts about these accidents:
In 2010, 4,280 pedestrians were killed by motor vehicles nationwide.
That same year, about 70,000 pedestrians were injured.
Thankfully, there was a 17 percent drop in pedestrian/motor vehicle injuries from 1998 to 2007, but an average of 12 people are still losing their lives every day.
About 69 percent of 2009 pedestrian deaths were males.
Around 72 percent of pedestrian deaths happen in urban areas.
About half of pedestrian fatalities happened on weekends (Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays).
About 70 percent happened at night.
Facts About Bicycle Accidents
Simply by the numbers, bicyclists fare somewhat better than pedestrians when other vehicles on the road hit them. However, the injuries are every bit as devastating. Here are some quick facts about bicycle crashes:
618 bicyclists died in the U.S. in 2010, which is a 25 percent decrease since 1995.
52,000 bicyclists were injured on America’s roadways in 2010, also a decrease from the 61,000 injured in 1995.
The average age of bicyclists killed in 2009 crashes with motor vehicles was 31.
Males made up 80 percent of those deaths.
Most bicycle accidents result in injuries to the head, and helmet use has been shown to reduce head injuries by 85 percent.
In 2008, 13 percent of bicycle deaths involved victims younger than 16, down 86 percent from those in 1975.
The Lasting Effects of Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
While these facts are disturbing, they are nothing compared with what an individual Pennsylvania pedestrian or bicycle accident victim and his or her family endures. And when the accident could have been avoided if only a vehicle operator had not been negligent behind the wheel, all the pain and suffering could have been avoided.
At Schell Law Office we urge you to contact us immediately if you or a loved one has been the victim of negligence on a Pennsylvania roadway. While we cannot erase the pain, with 28 years of experience handling cases like yours, we can help you to move forward.
We Are Different
Located in Philadelphia, Greg Schell represents bicycle and pedestrian accident victims throughout central and eastern Pennsylvania. He understands what you are going through and offers something unique to his clients: he will come to your hometown to meet with you so you do not have to do the traveling.
Give Schell Law Office a call today at 215-545-9000 with your questions and concerns. You will find a caring, honest Philadelphia personal injury team whose only goal is to protect your rights.