Phoenix Runner Car Accident Lawyers
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
What happens when there is an Auto Accident Involving Runners
As personal injury lawyers in Phoenix and surrounding areas in Arizona, we see many runners who are seriously injured as the result of someone else's negligent acts.
Running is a great way to stay in shape so many people take up this activity. Running is especially a common sport in Arizona because of our warmer climate. Unfortunately though for all Arizona runners, it must be known that running can be a very dangerous activity. Runners must be very careful when they are on busy streets and near automobiles. In addition to running being a dangerous activity in Arizona, being a pedestrian can also be very dangerous. Pedestrians in Arizona must be very careful when walking. Pedestrian accidents are a significant problem in the U.S. Many times when a pedestrian is hit by an automobile, it results in very serious injury for the pedestrian. Approximately 5,000 pedestrians are hit by drivers of automobiles each year and an additional 64,000 are injured in motor vehicle accidents every year in this country as well.
The following statistics were given by the National Highway Traffic Association and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. These statistics show the seriousness of paying attention to safety when you are running or you are a pedestrian in Arizona.
- Pedestrian fatalities account for 11 percent of motor vehicle fatalities.
- Over 180,000 pedestrians have been involved in fatal in motor vehicle accidents between the years 1975 and 2005.
- Pedestrians are the second largest number of people killed by motor vehicle accident. The first are occupants of vehicles that are most likely to be involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident.
- On average, a pedestrian sustains injury in a traffic accident every 8 minutes.
- On average, a pedestrian sustains a fatal injury in a motor vehicle accident every 111 minutes.
- In 2005, 4,881 pedestrians were killed in automobile car crashes. Arizona has its own share of car crashes.
- In 2005, the per capita pedestrian death rate was 1.6 per 100,000 people.
The National Safety Council has been said to estimate that 85.7 percent of all non-fatal pedestrian accidents in the United States have occurred in urban areas. In stark contrast, 14.3 percent of pedestrian accidental injuries from automobile accidents occurs in rural areas.
- Almost two-thirds of all pedestrian fatalities occur on urban roads.
- In 2005, 72 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in urban settings.
Although many pedestrian injuries take place at traffic intersections, the majority of pedestrian accidents occur at locations that are not intersections. Intersections in Arizona can be very dangerous. Many of our intersections in Arizona allow drivers to take left hand turns. If you take a left hand turn in Arizona and cause an Arizona car crash most likely you will be cited with failure to yield. This does not mean that you are 100% responsible for the accident, but many times you will be the one to receive the citation. Many accidents do not occur at intersections because on other roadway areas vehicles are speeding more and are not expecting any stops.
More statistics that may be surprising to people are that
- Over 40% of people who are killed in an automobile accident in 2002 occurred on roads without crosswalks.
- In 2003, 65% of automobile accidents involving pedestrians occurred at non-intersections.
- In 2005, 71% of pedestrian deaths occurred on major roads, including interstates and freeways.
It is important to remember that when you go out for a jog you must be aware of safety and your surroundings for how others are driving. If you choose to go out at a night for a jog, you can take safety measures into your own hands by wearing bright and reflective clothing. This does not mean that even if your take every safety measure that you will not be involved in a fatal pedestrian or running accident in Arizona. If you ever are involved in a pedestrian accident or an accident where you are running recreationally, contact a Phoenix serious injury attorney at Breyer Law Offices at (602) 267-1280.
Alexis and Mark formed the Husband and Wife Law Team in 1996. They are both pedestrian injury lawyers in Arizona. We handle personal injury claims in Phoenix and statewide throughout Arizona. We are here to help people and give them honest and straight forward answers so they know how to pursue their Arizona personal injury claim.
