According to the Louisiana Crash Data Reports website, 181 pedestrians were killed and 1,146 suffered injuries in traffic accidents in 2021, while 181 were projected to be killed and 1,221 were projected to suffer injuries in 2022. The fatality total marks the highest figures of the five years dating back to 2017, and anybody who sustains injuries or loses a loved one in a pedestrian accident in Louisiana should be sure to contact a New Orleans pedestrian accident attorney.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the 6,283 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes were a 3.4-percent increase from the 6,075 pedestrian fatalities in 2017, and an average of one pedestrian was killed every 84 minutes in a traffic crash in 2018. NHTSA also stated that pedestrian fatalities are far more common in urban areas than rural areas (81 percent compared to 19 percent), and both Louisiana Crash Data Reports and NHTSA found that alcohol involvement was a common factor present in nearly half of these crashes.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are usually walking on sidewalks or maybe on the sides of roads in Louisiana, so they are often trying to avoid any involvement with traffic. Nonetheless, pedestrians become victims in traffic accidents when drivers of motor vehicles commit negligent acts that compromise their safety.
Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include, but are not limited to:
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Left-hand turns
- Unmarked crosswalks
- Rolling stops
- Defective traffic lights
- Failure to yield right of way
- Inclement weather
- Disregarding traffic control signs or signals
- Road construction
Common Sites of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians can be struck by motor vehicles in a wide variety of circumstances. Some of the most common locations where these types of accidents occur include, but are not limited to:
- Intersections
- Roadsides or shoulders
- Parking areas
- Paths or trails
- Roadways
- Facilities
- Public areas
Types of Pedestrian Accident Injuries
A pedestrian crash poses a grave risk to a pedestrian because people who are traveling on foot have little to no protection should they be struck by a motor vehicle. Whereas drivers and other vehicle occupants have seat belts, airbags, and many other forms of protection, pedestrians are exposed to all kinds of harm because they have virtually no protection.
As a result, pedestrians can suffer injuries that may include:
- Broken bones or fractures
- Concussions
- Internal organ damage
- Burn injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Eye injuries
- Chemical injuries
- Nerve damage
- Severed limbs
- Hearing damage
- Sprains
- Road rash
- Head and face injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a New Orleans Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Did you suffer severe injuries or was your loved one killed in a pedestrian accident in the greater New Orleans area? Egenberg Trial Lawyers represents individuals and families all over Louisiana, Texas, and the Gulf Coast region, so we can fight to make sure that the negligent party is held fully accountable in your case.
Our firm will be able to conduct an exhaustive and thorough independent investigation to secure the evidence necessary to prove that another party bears responsibility for your crash and then make sure you receive all of the appropriate financial compensation to cover every expense you are now facing and will have to pay in the future. You can call (504) 229-3117 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation that will allow us to review your case and discuss all of your legal options.