Looking at traffic crash data for the first half of 2019, the Governors Highway Safety Administration estimates that there were 6,590 pedestrian deaths that year. Assuming that the number is accurate, it marks a 5% increase from 2018 and a 60% jump from 2009. Residents of Florida should know that by contrast, the number of other traffic deaths rose 2% from 2009 to 2018.

Five states, including Florida, were the setting for 47% of these pedestrian fatalities, the other four states being Georgia, Texas, California and Arizona. These five states compose 33% of the U.S. population. The highest fatality rate per 100,000 people was seen in New Mexico, Hawaii and Florida while the lowest was in Wisconsin, Idaho and Vermont.

There are several possible reasons for this trend in pedestrian fatalities. One is the growing number of SUVs and light trucks on the road. The design of these vehicles is not conducive to pedestrian safety in the event of an accident. Pedestrians are, in fact, twice as likely to die in collisions with large SUVs than in car crashes.

The warmer weather can also be partially responsible as it encourages more people to go outside. There’s also the increasing number of drivers who are distracted by their phones behind the wheel.

Pedestrian accidents can be the fault of the driver or the pedestrian. Pedestrians who are injured because the driver was inattentive, speeding or negligent in some other way may have a case against that driver’s auto insurance company. To ensure that they are reimbursed for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses, victims might want to hire a lawyer for guidance. The lawyer may take on all negotiations after third-party investigators have come in with all of their evidence against the defendant.

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