California's Pedestrian Injury Statistics Are Too High.

On November 3, 2021, Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan was killed when she was struck by a motor vehicle.  KTVU reports that "Chan was walking her dog in Alameda when she was struck by a car at around 8 a.m..." and sustained a severe head injury. According to KTVU, she was unable to be revived at Oakland's Highland Hospital.

The City of Oakland's crash statistics from 2012 to 2016 indicate drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks accounted for over one-third of pedestrian fatalities or serve injuries.  According to the California Office of Traffic Safety the states pedestrian fatality rate is almost twenty-five (25) percent higher than the national average.

Common Injuries.

Unlike motor vehicle drivers, pedestrians cannot rely on seat-belts or helmets to help reduce injury or death. According to a report in the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, the most frequently injured body region includes the head, face, and neck which accounts for thirty-eight (38) percent of common pedestrian injuries. In addition, injuries to the upper and lower extremities included:

• The legs (20%);
• The knees (14%);
• Head injuries - Loss of consciousness (25%);
• Shoulder/arm injuries (16%); and
• Pelvic injuries (9%).

Pedestrian Deaths Increased In 2020.

According to NBC, pedestrian deaths in 2020 increased by twenty-one (21) percent and accounts for the largest annual increase since the mid-1970s. This is very troubling news considering there were fewer drivers on the road for much of 2020.

The risk of injury also increases later in the day. Pedestrians walking during the evening or at nighttime should be even more attentive to their surroundings. The National Safety Council reports that night time pedestrian deaths are high during the week and peak on Saturdays.

We recommend that you read our latest article which discusses these troubling statistics in further detail.

Contact A Pedestrian Injury Attorney.

If injured It's very important to discuss your claim with a qualified attorney. At Arellanez Legal we also have the best nurse-paralegals on staff.  Contact Arellanez Legal by calling (951)888-2464 for a free consultation or by providing a date and time that will work for you via our easy-to-use contact page.