A New Study Shows That Walking is Getting More Dangerous

March 4, 2020

Walking is a physical activity that most people consider safe and simple, but that is not always the case. It is becoming more dangerous to walk around in all different areas of the United States, including Pittsburgh. In fact, a new study that comes from the Governors Highway Safety Association shows that the risks associated with walking have increased over the years and will continue to do so.

The Study

Results from the study came from research into the deaths of pedestrians that occurred during the first half of the year in 2019. It is believed that a total of 6,590 pedestrians died in accidents while walking. It is the largest number of pedestrian-related deaths to occur since 1988. Deaths involving traffic have increased by just 2 percent, but deaths involving pedestrians have increased by a staggering 53 percent.

A consultant for Sam Schwartz Consulting, Richard Retting, claims that the results from the study are quite disturbing. Schwartz believes that the information provided in the study is bad news for those who enjoy walking and for those who regularly walk to get from one place to the next. He believes something is happening to create such a serious increase in the number of pedestrian-related deaths that are happening.

While Retting is not sure exactly what is causing these deaths to occur more often than before, he says more studies must be done to find out what is happening. He believes that the increase could be due to a combination of different factors, including the number of people who are walking instead of driving or bicycling, the size of the vehicles that are out on the road, and the use of cell phones that are distracting people from paying attention while they are behind the wheel.

A Lack of Answers

While there are no exact answers as to what is causing the growing number of risks associated with walking, Retting says there is a reason for pedestrians to have real concerns about the possibility of becoming injured while walking. He encourages pedestrians to stay alert and take extra safety precautions to avoid the possibility of getting hit by a vehicle.

While Retting does feel that smartphones have contributed to the increased risks associated with walking, he thinks there is much more to it than that and recommends that the National Safety Council get involved in performing an analysis to determine the cause of pedestrian deaths. If there is more research performed on what is causing pedestrians to lose their lives, more can be done to save lives and put a stop to these problems.

In the meantime, pedestrians who are seriously injured may need to hire a personal injury lawyer after an accident occurs while they are walking. The purpose of hiring the lawyer is to file a lawsuit against the driver of the vehicle or anyone else who causes the accident to sue for damages, including physical injuries, emotional pain and suffering, medical costs, and more. Family members of deceased pedestrians may also file a wrongful death lawsuit due to the loss of their loved ones.

Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Pedestrian Accident Case in Pennsylvania

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a pedestrian accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. represent clients injured because of pedestrian accidents in Pittsburgh and Western PA counties. Call 412-837-8426 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3634 California Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15212.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.