Whether you like to walk or jog as a convenient way to get exercise or you regularly walk to your job, it is crucial to understand the risks that you face while close to traffic. In Illinois, many pedestrians suffer serious injuries and some lose their lives in traffic accidents, and statistics shed light on how prevalent these accidents actually are.
You should also familiarize yourself with certain risk factors that could increase the likelihood of becoming involved in a pedestrian accident, such as walking when visibility is poor.
Pedestrian accident statistics
The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that over the course of 2018, pedestrian accidents made up 1.6% of all traffic accidents in the state. However, pedestrian accidents accounted for 16% of the traffic accident fatalities in 2018, up 12.9% in comparison to the prior year.
In 2018, more than 4,500 pedestrian accidents resulting in an injury took place, and more than 150 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic accidents. More pedestrian accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities took place in urban areas than on rural roads.
Understanding the impact of pedestrian accidents
In addition to devastating injuries and the loss of life, it is vital to understand other ways in which pedestrian accidents turn victims’ lives upside down. If you are seriously hurt in an accident, you could have the inability to pay medical costs, especially if you have to step down from your job because injuries prevent you from working. Many victims face intense emotional hurdles, such as anxiety and depression. Reckless drivers who cause these accidents have to face consequences.