Pedestrian accidents in decline, but California has more than its share

Pedestrian traffic fatalities declined for the first time in three years during the first half of 2013, according to a report from the Governors Highway Safety Association. However, pedestrian safety remains a topic of major concern in California, where a disproportionate number of the nation's fatal pedestrian accidents occur.

Pedestrian accident statistics

Nationwide, pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. increased by 15 percent between 2009 and 2012 before the trend showed signs of reversing itself in early 2013. This substantial spike in pedestrian deaths was particularly troubling to U.S. safety officials because it coincided with an overall decrease in other types of motor vehicle fatalities during the same period. During those years, non-pedestrian traffic deaths fell by about 3 percent nationwide, according to a GHSA report.

Between January and June of 2013, however, pedestrian fatalities fell once again by nearly 9 percent when compared with the same months the previous year. In California, the decrease appears to have been even more substantial; there were 244 pedestrian fatalities in California during the first half of 2013, compared to 281 in the first half of 2012.

Pedestrian accident risk factors

The reasons behind the reversal are not entirely understood, but some experts say the economy may be a factor. During the recent financial crisis, people may have been more likely to walk instead of drive as a cost-saving measure, meaning that there were more pedestrians overall and thus a larger number of pedestrian accidents. Now that the economy has begun to recover, people may be walking less and driving more once again.

Pedestrian accident statistics vary dramatically from one state to the next. California and other states with large urban areas typically have far more pedestrian injuries and deaths than states that are predominantly rural. In fact, between January 2012 and June 2013, one-third of all pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. occurred in just three states: California, Texas and Florida.

When it comes to pedestrian safety, some demographic groups are more at risk than others. Older individuals - particularly those aged 70 or above - have the highest per-capita pedestrian death rate of any age group. Children also face a higher risk than most adults, although that risk appears to have been greatly reduced in recent decades. While children age 12 and younger made up 22 percent of all pedestrian deaths in 1975, that number had dropped to just 5 percent by 2012.

Get legal advice if you are hurt in a pedestrian accident

If you or a family member has been hurt in a pedestrian accident in California, you may be able to obtain financial compensation for your medical bills and other losses resulting from your injuries. Contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in your area to learn more about your legal rights and the options that are available for pursuing compensation after a crash.