VEHICLE SPEED AND FATAL PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS
Anytime a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, it is most likely that the pedestrian will be injured. What’s more, a car does not have to be traveling very fast at impact to cause significant bodily injury.
One recent study analyzed the relationship between vehicle speed and fatal pedestrian accidents. What the study discovered is that surprisingly low vehicle speeds can inflict serious- possibly even fatal- injuries to anyone traveling on foot. The study examined injury and death rates for pedestrians struck by vehicles at 20 mph, 30 mph, and 40 mph.
At 20 mph- the average speed limit for school zones- approximately 5 percent of pedestrians would not survive a collision with a vehicle. Roughly 65 percent of pedestrians would survive the crash with injuries, such as broken bones and 30 percent would walk away unscathed.
At 30 mph- think neighborhoods and many suburban streets- the outcome changes significantly. By increasing vehicle speed by just 10 mph, the pedestrian fatality rate skyrockets to 45 percent. Fully half of the pedestrians would sustain some type of injury, and only 5 percent would be unharmed in the collision.
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When the vehicle speed was increased to 40 mph, the fatality rate becomes staggering. Fully 95 percent of pedestrians would die in a collision with a vehicle traveling at this speed. The remaining 5 percent of people would survive with only injuries.
Part of the reason for the dramatic increase in fatalities caused by a minimal increase in vehicle speed has to do with kinetic energy. The equation for kinetic energy is not linear, meaning speed and the related kinetic energy do not increase at parallel rates. It only takes a little more speed to equal much more kinetic energy which is transferred to the pedestrian at impact.
In 2014, the last year for which complete data is available, 4,884 people died in pedestrian/motor vehicle crashes and an additional 65,000 pedestrians sustained injuries.
To help reduce the rate of injury and death among this vulnerable group, always obey the posted speed limit, or drive a little slower if visibility or weather conditions are poor. Always yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and try to remain aware of the roadsides, particularly in residential areas. If you are the pedestrian, you need to watch out for yourself. When crossing the road at crosswalks or intersections, always make eye contact with the driver before you step into the street and wear bright or reflective clothing to increase your visibility to drivers, especially at night.
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CONTACT OUR DENVER PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT LAWYERS
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident in Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, or anywhere in the State of Colorado, it is important to understand the severity of your injuries and how these injuries could impact your future. Contact Lakewood attorney Andrew Bubb at (303) 807-6187 today for a FREE CONSULTATION and review of your case.