Each day, 13 people die just while walking in public. In 2014, there were a total of 4,884 pedestrians who were fatally injured throughout the United States. It is thought that the rate of pedestrian deaths are actually increasing in a time when being inside a car is becoming safer. The data is from a report called “Dangerous By Design” issued by Smart Growth America (SGA).
While pedestrian deaths are more likely in New York City or San Francisco, they are not the most dangerous cities. This is according to the Pedestrian Death Index created by the SGA, and it measures the number of deaths relative to the number of pedestrians in a given area. According to this index, it is statistically more dangerous to walk in a small city compared to a large one.
Cape Coral-Fort Myers topped the index with a score of 283.1, and Florida contributed seven of the top 10 cities on the list. According to the SGA report, accidents tend to happen because of poor road design in areas where homes and schools are located. Instead of straight lanes that may encourage drivers to go too fast, it may be better to create streets with sidewalks and other safe areas for pedestrians.
Pedestrians who are hit by a car may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and other losses if it can be determined that the victim had the right of way or that the driver of the vehicle was negligent in some other manner. An attorney can often demonstrate this to the satisfaction of a jury through the use of the police investigation report, eyewitness testimony and other evidence.