Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries and even death to those who are involved. The Governors Highway Safety Association’s (GHSA) new report suggests that these fatalities have a new high in 2019 for the first time in over 30 years. When facing these situations, it is important for injured parties or the loved ones of a deceased victim to recover the compensation they are owed as a result of the accident. Individuals pursuing compensation in these cases should contact an experienced Connecticut personal injury attorney for assistance.
What are the Facts of the Report?
The GHSA report, “Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State,” includes preliminary data from highway traffic safety offices in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia. This data from 2019 shows an increase in pedestrian accident deaths, reaching a new high in the country since 1988. In addition to this, there were 6,590 deaths in 2019, a 5% increase from the pedestrian deaths in 2018.
It is the unfortunate truth that the majority of pedestrian accidents are caused by negligence. The report states that the accidents in 2019 occurred due to unsafe road crossings, distracted or impaired driving, and large SUVs and trucks on the road.
What Do I Do if I am Involved in a Pedestrian Accident?
When an injury or death takes place as a result of a pedestrian accident, there are steps that can be taken to help a future claim. This can include:
- Calling the necessary emergency services (police and an ambulance)
- Obtaining contact information from any witnesses to the incident
- Taking pictures and videos of the scene of the accident
- Obtaining medical documentation after receiving treatment
- Retaining the services of a skilled personal injury attorney to recover additional evidence for a case
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
Legal action can be taken in the event of an injury or death in a pedestrian accident. Those who wish to do so should not wait too long, as there is a statute of limitations in place for both personal injury and wrongful death cases. This is a deadline that injured victims or their loved ones must meet to file a claim. In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases is two years from the date of injury or death.
Contact our Firm
Marc N. Needelman is an experienced attorney working throughout the state of Connecticut. If you need an attorney who is ready to fight for the financial compensation you deserve, please do not hesitate to contact us to set up a free initial consultation. Our firm deals with matters relating to real estate, personal injury, criminal defense, estate planning, and more.
