Walking is one of the most common and healthy forms of transportation and recreation. However, the pedestrian versus vehicle interface exposes pedestrians to the risk of being injured or killed. Pedestrian injuries are a serious public health problem affecting thousands of people every year in the United States.  The pedestrian personal injury lawyers at WilliamsFord see these problems here at home, where we get frequent calls about pedestrian injuries, particularly in Leesburg and Winchester.

The statistics are frightening.  Last year, the US recorded the highest amount of pedestrians killed by vehicles in over 40 years, and a 77% increase over the past ten years. Most experts have concluded that these numbers are due to outcomes from the pandemic, increasing sales of big vehicles, and the creation of roads built for vehicles, not pedestrians.

During the pandemic, many drivers increased their speed and recklessness while driving because of the lack of other drivers and pedestrians. Since then, many of these drivers have continued with their reckless habits, which have had a direct impact on the amount of pedestrian deaths.

Another cause of increased pedestrian deaths is the number of larger vehicles that are on the road. The large size of trucks and SUVs can make it harder for a driver to see a pedestrian and increases the chances of death on impact to a pedestrian.

A third reason for the high number of pedestrian deaths is the creation of more roads that are designed to optimize vehicle traffic without regards to pedestrians. These roads are continuously widening to allow space for more lanes and more cars. While these changes are beneficial to drivers, they continuously force pedestrians onto sidewalks that have gradually decreased in size. Inadequate lighting and fewer crosswalks further evidence these roads’ poor design.

Some Virginia communities, like Fairfax and Richmond, are taking action to improve pedestrian safety; others lag behind. The Town of Leesburg had to issue a safe walking guide!

Pedestrian injuries are not only fatal, but also costly and debilitating. Over 8,000 pedestrians were killed by motor vehicles in 2022, and there were 140,000 emergency room visits for non-fatal pedestrian injuries. The medical expenses, lost productivity, and reduced quality of life associated with pedestrian injuries can have significant economic and social impacts on individuals, families, and communities.

At WilliamsFord, we encourage towns to take action to make walking safer. At the same time, drivers need to be careful, slow down in pedestrian areas, and obey all pedestrian signage.

If you are injured as a pedestrian in a traffic or non-traffic incident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. It is essential that you contact a reputable personal injury lawyer who has experience with pedestrian injury cases, like the lawyers at WilliamsFord.