In New Jersey, like the rest of the country, pedestrian accidents are on the rise. Injuries have risen higher this year because of a number of risk factors that have gotten worse. Much of the blame can be placed on drivers becoming more careless and reckless.
There has been a spike in fatalities in the last 10 years
Pedestrian accidents and injuries bottomed out a little more than a decade ago. Since then, they have made a steady climb. The biggest factor is distracted driving. Motorists simply miss crosswalks, or they do not see pedestrians, because they are looking down at their phones or are otherwise inattentive. In addition, reckless driving has spiked since the start of 2020, resulting in far more severe accidents.
Distracted and reckless driving kills people
Because drivers are traveling faster and less likely to attempt to stop before impact, pedestrian accidents injuries have a far higher likelihood of being fatal. Once the driver is exceeding 30 miles per hour, the chances of a fatality increase greatly. Even pedestrians who survive the crash could be left with severe injuries that change the course of the rest of their lives.
Local measures are helping
In the meantime, localities across New Jersey have taken steps to try to keep pedestrians safer. It takes time for these to become effective, but local leaders have expressed optimism that the danger to pedestrians will soon decrease. One locality that implemented new safety measures saw a drop in pedestrian accident fatalities in 2021.
Injured pedestrians may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit for their injuries if they can show that the driver was negligent. While this does not undo someone’s injuries or give them a full physical recovery, financial compensation could make a difference in their life when they cannot work and have high medical bills.
