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Kidneigh, Kaufman & Crichton, P.C. is dedicated to helping you protect your rights in your personal injury case.
With over 30 years of experience, and over $100 Million recovered, we have a record of winning cases for our clients. We will fight the insurance company to ensure that you receive the damages you deserve.
If you or someone you love has suffered because of the negligence of another, call us at (303) 393-6666, or fill out the form to receive a free case evaluation. Someone from our office will contact you within 24 hours to start helping you with your case.
Pedestrian Accidents
We are all pedestrians at one time or another, whether it’s our usual mode of transportation or simply crossing the street to get a latte. We take for granted that we can cross the street without incident, because most of the time, we do.
But perhaps we’re just lucky.
How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents?
However, on average each year about 5,000 pedestrians die and 70,000 are injured in traffic accidents nationally.[1] In 2017, there were 93 pedestrian fatalities in Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.[2] From 2007 to 2012, pedestrian-related crashes occurred most often between the hours of 3 PM and 6 PM, which is right in the middle of the time period when children are coming home from school. In fact, young children and the elderly are more likely to be killed or injured in a pedestrian crash than any other group.[3] For example, young people between the ages 10-29 made up 36.8% of the pedestrians being injured in Colorado in 2012.[4]
Where Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Occur?
In Colorado, most crashes involving pedestrians occur at non-intersections. As a pedestrian, you should stop before crossing, look to both sides, and continue to check for traffic while crossing. At the same time, drivers need to pay attention to their surroundings, particularly in areas where there is pedestrian traffic and crosswalks. Unfortunately, no matter how vigilant a pedestrian may be, there are drivers that aren’t paying attention to their surroundings, are distracted, or are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In 2012, the use of alcohol contributed to 27.3% of observed fatalities where the driver was at fault and the at-fault driver was distracted in nearly 10% of pedestrian crashes in 2012. [5]
How Bad Can Pedestrian Accidents Be?
Considering that a pedestrian is standing unarmed on the street and is hit by what is tantamount to a two-ton bullet, pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries and even death. Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable, and accidents nearly always result in serious injuries, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
What Should I Do If I’m in an Accident, but I Don’t Think My Injuries Are Catastrophic?
Regardless of how much pain you’re in at the moment, or your own assessment of your injuries, it’s vitally important that you seek immediate medical attention. Some injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, manifest slowly over time and can worsen without immediate treatment. Recovery from these kinds of injuries can take a lot of time and money.
Then, you should contact an experienced Colorado pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. The attorneys at Kidneigh, Kaufman & Crichton, P.C. have a successful track record with pedestrian accident cases and getting damages for their clients.
If you, a family member, or a friend have had the misfortune of being injured in a pedestrian accident, our lawyers welcome the opportunity to help you. The attorneys at Kidneigh, Kaufman & Crichton, P.C., P.C. are experienced at handling pedestrian cases and know to obtain compensation for injured victims. Call Kidneigh, Kaufman & Crichton, P.C. today at 303-393-6000 to schedule your free consultation.
[1] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic Safety Facts. https://crashstats. nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812375.
[2] Colorado Department of Transportation. Everyone is a Pedestrian. https://www.codot.gov /programs/bikeped/information-for-pedestrians.
[3] Id.
[4] Colorado Department of Transportation. Pedestrian related crashes. p. 120. https://www.codot.gov/library/traffic/safety-crash-data/accident-rates-books-coding/crash-summary-books/pedestrians.
[5] Id. at 124.
