Every day, numerous individuals travel on foot to go to work, school, and other important destinations in Indiana. Sadly, pedestrian accident statistics show many pedestrians are killed in Indiana every year, and many more experience life-changing injuries. 

If you or a loved one has suffered from an injury after a pedestrian accident, you need to file a claim against the at-fault driver. Otherwise, you may have to pay out of pocket for your medical bills and other related expenses, such as lost wages. You can contact a pedestrian accident attorney today to start the process of recovering your just compensation. 

In this blog, you’ll learn about how many pedestrians are killed each year as well as other critical pedestrian accident statistics that you need to know. 

How Many Pedestrians Get Hit by Cars a Year?

Every year in the United States, a staggering number of people fall victim to pedestrian accidents. According to recent statistics, an estimated 70,000 pedestrians are struck by vehicles annually, causing numerous serious and fatal injuries. Many of these accidents are entirely preventable and result from driver or pedestrian negligence. 

Out of the thousands who are struck by vehicles yearly, around 9.1% are killed and 21.8% suffer serious injuries. If you’re ever struck by a vehicle, it’s critical that you or someone nearby contacts the police immediately, and if you’ve sustained injuries, call 911. 

How Many Pedestrians Are Killed by Cars Each Year? 

Tragically, there’s been a sharp increase in pedestrian fatalities in recent years. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 6,516 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2020 alone, an increase of nearly 4% from the previous year, and 54,769 were injured. This sobering statistic means that on average, a pedestrian was killed every 81 minutes. 

Additionally, pedestrian deaths made up 17% of all road fatalities and 23% of those fatal accidents were hit-and-runs. 89% of accidents that caused pedestrian fatalities were single-car accidents, meaning that only one vehicle was involved in the incident. 

While 2020 was certainly a deadly year for pedestrians, there was a 13% increase in pedestrian fatalities the following year. The NHTSA stated that 7,388 pedestrians were killed and over 60,000 were injured in 2021. 

Interestingly, 48% of pedestrian accidents occur at intersections, but non-intersection pedestrian accidents are four times more likely to result in a walker’s death. The reason is that the speed of a vehicle directly correlates with the likelihood of a pedestrian being killed, and vehicle speeds are usually much lower at intersections. In fact, 49% of intersection pedestrian accidents involve vehicles that are only operating between 0 and 10 miles per hour.  

Every additional 10 miles per hour doubles the likelihood of a pedestrian dying. For example, a driver operating their vehicle at 35 mph has a 10.5% mortality rate. At 45 mph, the likelihood of a person dying due to a pedestrian accident increases to 22.9%. Further, a motorist driving at 55 mph increases the mortality rate to 43%. Increased speed also greatly enhances the likelihood of pedestrians suffering from serious injuries. 

Indiana Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Every year, nearly 100 Indiana pedestrians are killed by motorists, many of which occur in Indianapolis. As of 2019, Indianapolis was the 68th deadliest city in the nation for pedestrians, and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department reported that 40 pedestrians were killed in 2022 alone, a record high. In addition to this tragic statistic, the police stated that around 154 pedestrians were killed in the city in the last five years. 

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Many different factors can contribute to or cause pedestrian accidents, but the majority of these accidents occur due to driver negligence.

Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Driving While Under the Influence: Driving while under the effects of drugs or alcohol is incredibly dangerous because these substances impact a driver’s reaction time and ability to make decisions. In 2020, 47% of all fatal pedestrian accidents involved someone who was under the influence of alcohol, which included both drivers and walkers. 

• Driving While Distracted: Operating a vehicle while engaging in a distraction, such as texting, eating, and handling a GPS, greatly increases a driver’s likelihood of causing a pedestrian accident. Looking away from the road for even a second can have catastrophic consequences. 

• Speeding: As stated above, the higher the speed of a vehicle, the greater the likelihood of a pedestrian suffering fatal injuries. 

• Failing to Yield: Numerous pedestrian accidents happen due to drivers failing to yield at crosswalks. Additionally, many of these accidents occur because drivers ignore traffic and signs and signals. 

Contact an Indiana Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one suffered from injuries due to a driver’s negligence, you need to contact a pedestrian injury attorney as soon as possible. Enlisting the help of an attorney will greatly increase your likelihood of recovering the full compensation you deserve, which may include money for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of future earnings, and more.

For the best pedestrian accident lawyers in Indianapolis, contact Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery Attorneys at Law. Schedule your free review today by calling 1-800-265-9881, or you can schedule your appointment online here.