As a pedestrian, it’s important to know that you could be at risk of injury if you’re near the roads. A dangerous driver or one that isn’t paying attention could hit you, causing fatal injuries. After the death of a pedestrian, it’s not just that person who is affected; the family of that person and their friends are also affected.
After you lose someone to a pedestrian accident, you can make a claim against the negligent driver. If the driver has insurance, it may be possible to receive compensation that way, or, if not, then it’s possible to file a lawsuit.
Pedestrian accidents can be terrifying, but some good news is that they’re dropping in number in Connecticut. They’re still a major concern, but while the rest of the nation is seeing a rise in accidents, this state is seeing fewer than ever before.
The Governors Highway Safety Association estimates that the number of people who have been killed while walking in traffic has gone up by 10 percent between 2014 and 2015 alone. Looking at state-by-state data, it can be seen that pedestrian deaths rose in 26 states, while 21 states saw drops. In 2014, Connecticut had 16 deaths in the first half of the year, while the same time period saw only 15 deaths in 2015. The totals are more dramatic; 2014 had 47 pedestrian fatalities, while 2015 had only 37.
What’s helping reduce the number of fatalities? Legislators are working to increase fines and improve laws to penalize dangerous drivers. Traffic enforcement efforts have been increased as well.
Source: CT Post, “Pedestrian deaths rise nationwide; Drop in Connecticut,” Amanda Cuda, March 14, 2016