If vehicular collisions can be fatal, how much more dangerous can it be if a car hits a pedestrian who’s unprotected from crashes?
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, pedestrian deaths have steadily increased in the U.S. over the past decade. Since 2010, the number of fatalities spiked by 77%. The year 2022 also saw a 40-year high of 7,508 deaths.
But more people have also recognized the need for added safety measures. A new survey by Consumer Reports found that 86% of Americans believe pedestrian detection technology can reduce the likelihood of people being hit or killed by automobiles. 72% of Americans also said they want their next car to have pedestrian detection technology.
Consumer Report’s study comes after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently proposed a plan to make automatic emergency braking technology mandatory on all new automobiles.
The Cost of Pedestrian Injuries and Deaths
Collision-related deaths and injuries are on the rise. But how much does it all cost?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that fatal pedestrian motor vehicle accidents led to over $99 million in medical expenses in 2020. But in terms of pedestrian injuries, the total medical cost in 2020 hit a staggering $4.11 billion. Pedestrian injuries on average also cost $99,647 to treat.
Pedestrian injuries also led to an average work loss cost of $22,046. They also caused an average quality-of-life loss cost of $205,470 in 2020.
It’s clear that getting hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian costs much money. And that the problem will only worsen until the automotive industry addresses it. Until new automobile technologies can prevent crashes, pedestrians will continue to be at risk.
If you suffer injuries from a vehicle accident, know that a personal injury lawsuit can help secure enough compensation to pay for your medical expenses and other losses. Guidance from a legal professional can improve your chances of winning your case.
What Causes Warehouse Injuries?
When you suffer from occupational injuries, you may receive benefits from California’s workers’ compensation insurance through your employer. The policy includes medical treatment, lost wages and assistance to help you get back to work. Here are potential reasons that must have caused your injuries:
- Slipping objects stacked on high shelves
- Pallet fragments, accumulated dust, sawdust and other hazardous debris on the floor
- Failure to see an obstruction, such as spilled substances and cluttered stock items, in walkways while carrying heavy goods, using huge machinery or interacting with a co-worker
As a preventive measure, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration devised standards related to walking-working surfaces. One of the provisions requires that employers keep the cleanliness, order and sanitation of passageways, service rooms, store rooms and other surfaces at all times. Further, there should also be regular inspections and repairs to maintain the structural integrity of all floor surfaces used for work.
But sometimes, despite the most thorough precautions, work-related injuries still happen. You may end up with minor cuts and bruises or suffer from severe conditions and disfigurements. Your employer must have a list of approved health care providers to give you the cure and relief within California’s medical treatment guidelines.
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Scott M. Blumen
Scott M. Blumen, Attorney at Law, APC offers personalized, results-focused legal help for injury and workers’ compensation cases in San Diego.
