On behalf of Roeder, Cochran, Phillips, PLLC posted in personal injury on Thursday, May 2, 2019.
In Virginia, there is a growing trend of pedestrians and bicyclists being injured and losing their lives in crashes with motor vehicles. This is a problematic issue that seems to be getting worse. With the number of drivers who are distracted behind the wheel, it is no surprise that pedestrian crashes have spiked. Since there can be serious injury and fatalities when a pedestrian is hit by a car, it is wise for those who are in an accident to be aware of all the potential problems they will face in the aftermath and prepare for a legal filing to be compensated.
The problem of pedestrians being injured and killed in an auto accident is particularly worrisome in Fairfax County. So much so that officials have put a new initiative into action to reduce its frequency. More than one-third of traffic deaths in the area involve a pedestrian or a cyclist. In 2019, 43 pedestrian accidents have happened with eight deaths and more than 40 people being injured. In 2018, there were 174 pedestrian accidents, 16 deaths and 196 people were hurt. Three pedestrian deaths since December were hit-and-runs.
Law enforcement is concerned about the rise in pedestrian deaths. A strategy they are implementing will last through the second week in May. Police will be stationed at intersections and crosswalks to warn and ticket drivers and pedestrians who do not adhere to the law. These accidents have been occurring even as the county is investing in crosswalks, sidewalks and trails. There are also projects for bicyclists and bus stops that have been invested in since 2002. Still, people who have been hurt or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident will be confronted with a litany of concerns that no safety implementation will assuage.
Pedestrians are notoriously vulnerable to injuries and death when they are in an accident with an automobile. The medical costs, lost income and inability to contribute to a family can cause significant life changes. If there is a fatality, the family left behind will want answers as to what happened. A law firm that helps clients with seeking compensation for all they have lost in pedestrian accidents should be contacted for guidance and help. After motor vehicle accidents, having legal advice is a must.
