Just last week, it was revealed that a $27 million dollar pedestrian suspension bridge project near the San Diego convention center and Petco Park may not be completed on schedule. Original estimates put the bridge’s completion to early next year but the committee overseeing the venture indicated it may be as late as Spring or Summer before the project is finalized. The bridge, which is being funded by taxpayer money, could be a welcome addition to the city since it could very well cut down on the number or pedestrian knockdown accidents in the area. Still, as the well-known design firm T.Y. Lin gears up to finish the ambitious endeavor, people wonder if the bridge will really help put a dint in the alarming statistics of pedestrian deaths that occur not only in the San Diego area, but nationwide.
If so, could such bridges be a remedy to the personal injury and wrongful death incidences that often follow pedestrian-to-motor vehicle collisions?
Pedestrian Knock Down Statistics
In San Diego County alone 51 fatalities and 1,068 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007. Nationwide, the numbers are staggering: Nearly 11 prevent of all traffic fatalities involve a person who was walking on foot or riding a bicycle and a motor vehicle. On the whole, pedestrians fall into the number two slot of automobile related accident deaths followed only by occupant deaths.
Unfortunately, people often assign blame solely to the victim believing that they must not have been in a crosswalk or they darted out in the street.
This may not always be the case. A distracted or drunk driver could very easily run over a pedestrian who was walking in legal areas of the street at the time. In such situations, where walkers are placing their trust in the reliability and responsible nature of the driver, they may not be able to react in time to save themselves from serious injury.
Available Walking Space
Some people without a vehicle have had to face situations where no sidewalks or bridges are available to them. This makes walking increasingly dangerous for pedestrians who have to get from point A to point B to reach school or work. Statistics indicate that a whopping 40 percent of pedestrian deaths occurred on streets that did not have crosswalks or sidewalks. In order to cut down on pedestrian deaths it would appear that city governments should consider what San Diego is doing and put pedestrian bridges or at least sidewalks in areas where pedestrian traffic is heaviest.
Pedestrian accidents unavoidable
But even with such safeguards in place we may not be able to eradicate pedestrian accidents altogether. While we will also be able to reasonably assume that an auto accident will be caused by walker error, i.e. jaywalking, crossing busy interstates, etc., the fact remains that careless drivers will also be to blame for death and injury in a pedestrian knockdown collision.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a pedestrian to vehicle car accident, get help. Contact the law firm of Slaughter and Slaughter today for a free case evaluation and learn about your rights. The consultation is free and you may be able to learn how you can receive the financial compensation you’ll require for your injuries. Every minute counts, so call now and get the justice you deserve when a pedestrian related auto accident changes you and your loved ones lives forever.
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