Pedestrian Deaths On U.S. Roads Remain At Crisis Levels
Pedestrian safety on American roads has reached a crisis point over the past decade. While there are signs of modest improvement in recent years, the numbers remain deeply troubling. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, U.S. drivers struck and killed 7,148 pedestrians in 2024. While that represents a 4.3% decline from 2023 and the second consecutive annual drop, pedestrian fatalities remain nearly 20% above 2016 levels and reached a 40-year high in 2022.
Between 2009 and 2023, pedestrian deaths rose a staggering 80%, while all other traffic fatalities increased just 13%. Pedestrians are dying at a rate that is dramatically outpacing overall traffic safety improvements. If you or a family member has been injured in a pedestrian accident, our Colorado Springs pedestrian accident attorneys are here to help.
When, Where, And How These Crashes Are Happening
The data reveals some striking and consistent patterns in how pedestrian fatalities occur:
More than three-quarters of pedestrian fatalities occur after dark, and fatal pedestrian crashes at night rose 84% between 2010 and 2023, compared to just a 28% increase in daytime fatalities. Visibility is one of the most critical factors in pedestrian safety, and the rapid growth in nighttime deaths points to a combination of distracted driving, impaired driving, and inadequate street lighting in many communities.
The share of pedestrian deaths caused by SUVs and pickups has surged in recent years. Light trucks accounted for 54% of pedestrian fatalities where a vehicle type was known in 2023, compared to 37% for passenger cars. The increased height and weight of larger vehicles means they are more likely to strike a pedestrian in a vital area of the body, and less likely to allow the pedestrian to roll over the hood as smaller vehicles sometimes do.
Nearly two-thirds of pedestrian deaths occurred in locations without a sidewalk in 2023. This is a powerful reminder that infrastructure plays a major role in pedestrian safety. When communities fail to build and maintain adequate sidewalks and crosswalks, pedestrians are forced to share space with fast-moving vehicle traffic with no physical protection.
One in four pedestrian deaths is the result of a hit-and-run crash, and in these fatal hit-and-runs, the striking vehicle was the fleeing vehicle 94% of the time. Hit-and-run pedestrian crashes are among the most devastating cases our firm handles, and they require experienced legal counsel to identify the at-fault party and pursue maximum compensation.
Distraction Remains A Major Factor
Smartphones continue to play a significant role in pedestrian accidents, on both sides of the equation. Behind the wheel, motorists scan social media, text, and interact with apps while driving, taking their eyes and attention off the road. Pedestrians, too, walk through parking lots, across intersections, and along roadways with their eyes on their screens and their ears covered by headphones, unaware of what is happening around them.
The solution on the driver side has become clearer as more states, including Colorado as of January 1, 2025, have enacted hands-free laws prohibiting drivers from holding or manually using a phone while driving. But personal responsibility remains critical. Putting the phone away while driving or walking near traffic is one of the simplest and most effective things any individual can do to reduce the risk of a pedestrian crash.
Pedestrian Accidents Are Often Catastrophic
Due to the nature of pedestrian accidents, the injuries sustained are frequently severe and life-threatening. A person struck by a vehicle has no protection whatsoever against the force of impact. Injuries can be fatal even at relatively low speeds, and children and the elderly are at the greatest risk of sustaining serious or fatal injuries. Common injuries in pedestrian accidents include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, broken bones, disfigurement, and in the most serious cases, amputation. Recovery can take months or years, and some injuries result in permanent disability that affects every aspect of a victim’s life.
What You May Be Entitled To Recover
If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Colorado, the law is on your side. When a driver’s negligence caused the crash, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earnings, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, future medical expenses, long-term care, and more. Understanding what damages you may be entitled to recover is an important first step, as is acting within Colorado’s statute of limitations before your right to file a claim expires.
Contact Our Colorado Springs Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
At Rector Stuzynski Law Firm, we have the experience and resources to represent seriously injured pedestrians and their families. Our Colorado Springs personal injury attorneys will build a strong case designed to obtain maximum compensation for our clients. Call us today at (719) 578-1106 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 and ready to help.
