The Facts about Pedestrian Injuries and Deaths in Delaware

Cars traveling at almost any speed that strike a pedestrian are likely to kill or critically injure the pedestrian. The Delaware injury attorneys of Silverman, McDonald & Friedman help victims and families just like yours seek compensation. Contact us in Wilmington, Newark, or Seaford for a free consultation.

If a pedestrian is lucky enough to survive a collision, he/she is likely to suffer a catastrophic injury such as a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, or numerous broken bones. Injured pedestrians have the right to hold drivers and owners of the vehicles responsible. Families of deceased pedestrians have the right to file a wrongful death claim against negligent drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is targeting October as national Pedestrian Safety Month to raise awareness about how deadly and tragic pedestrian accidents are. Federal agencies such as the Federal Highway Administration are partnering with state departments of transportation and local communities to raise awareness. In most cases, pedestrian accidents could have been avoided if only the driver was paying attention.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that, for 2017:

• Nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents on US roads
• Nearly 137,000 pedestrians required ER treatment for car-crashes
• Pedestrians, per trip, are 1.5 times more likely to die in a car crash than the occupants of the car

Delaware has particularly high numbers of pedestrian fatalities for numerous reasons. In fact, per capita, Delaware has more pedestrian fatalities than any other state.

Why do drivers fail to stop in time to avoid pedestrian accidents?

The awareness programs are focusing on highlighting the dangerous driving behaviors that place pedestrians at risk. The main reasons for pedestrian accidents include:

• Driving while intoxicated. The CDC states that drunk driving is the leading cause of fatal pedestrian accidents. In nearly half of all car crashes that kill a pedestrian, alcohol was the cause. In nearly a third of all pedestrian deaths due to a car accident, the driver’s blood alcohol level was .08 or higher.
• Distracted driving. Drivers who text or talk while driving, drink or eat while driving, play with their radio, or who lose focus for any reason are likely to strike a pedestrian
• Drivers who go too fast can’t stop in time to avoid striking a pedestrian.

A few pedestrian safety tips

According to the CDC, most pedestrian fatalities happen in urban areas, at night, and at non-intersections. Some safety suggestions for pedestrians include:

• Increase your visibility at night and during times of low visibility by wearing reflective clothing and carrying a flashlight.
• Only cross at designated crosswalks, and only when you have a signal. If there is no signal, make sure both ways are clear.
• Walk on a sidewalk or path, not the road. If there is no sidewalk or path, walk on the shoulder in the opposite direct of the traffic. This way, if you need to get out of the way fast, you can see the trouble coming.
• Don’t use your smartphone or other electronic devices while walking – especially if you’ve been drinking. “Distracted walking” can be deadly.

At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, our Delaware pedestrian accident lawyers guide victims and families through the tragedy of a pedestrian accident. We fight to obtain compensation for all medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost income for survivors. Our lawyers demand wrongful death damages including the loss of comfort the loved one would have provided and the financial losses the death caused – on behalf of the family members. To schedule an appointment now, please call us at 302.888.2900 or fill out our contact form We’re located in Wilmington, Newark, and Seaford.