Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Pedestrian Suffers Serious Injuries In Charlotte
A pedestrian suffered critical injuries after being hit by a vehicle. The accident occurred at the intersection of Eastway Drive and Central Avenue in east Charlotte. Several emergency agencies responded to the accident, which happened early in the morning. The victim was transported to Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, according to Medic. The northbound lanes of Eastway Drive were shut down for several hours while police cleared and investigated the accident. It is unclear if any charges will be filed against the driver.
Pedestrian Deaths Continue to Increase
Charlotte launched the Zero Vision initiative in 2019 with the goal of zero fatalities on the roadways. Even with the initiative in place, highway deaths continue to be a concern, including pedestrian deaths. According to a report issued by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA), there were 279 pedestrian deaths in North Carolina in 2014, which is a 12% increase over 2023. Over the last ten years, traffic deaths have increased 29%. Since July of this year, Charlotte has had 39 fatal traffic accidents that included eight pedestrians and four bicyclists.
Characteristics of Fatal Pedestrian Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that there are some common characteristics of many fatal pedestrian accidents.
- Light Conditions – Light conditions, or lack of light, are one of the common characteristics that contribute to fatal pedestrian accidents. 76% of fatal pedestrian accidents occurred when it was dark outside, and another 4% happened during dusk.
- Location – Most pedestrian accidents occur at roadway areas other than at intersections. Importantly, many of these accidents happened in areas where there were five or more lanes of traffic, in areas where the speed limit was more than 30 mph, or where there were high traffic volumes.
- Time of Day – The majority of pedestrian accidents occur in the evening or nighttime hours. 25% of fatal crashes happened between the hours of 6 pm and 9 pm. Another 26% of fatal accidents occurred between 9 pm and midnight.
- Hit and Run – A large number of pedestrian accidents happen in hit-and-run crashes. In about a quarter of pedestrian fatalities, the driver left the scene of the accident. This may occur for a variety of reasons, such as the driver was not licensed, was impaired, or did not realize that they hit someone.
What to Do if You Were Injured in a Pedestrian Accident
If you or a loved one were hurt or died as a result of a pedestrian accident, there are several things to do. First, always seek medical care immediately. Call the police to report the accident and provide a statement. Obtain information from the driver, including their name, phone number, and insurance details. Work with an attorney to assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve. The negligent driver is responsible for paying medical bills and other damages, as well as additional costs if the pedestrian died as a result of their actions.
If you were seriously injured as a result of a pedestrian accident, do not delay. Contact our legal team at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 for a free initial consultation.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/book/countermeasures-that-work/pedestrian-safety
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/push-button-to-walk-1445119
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