![\"Pedestrian](\"https:\/\/www.cochranfirm.com\/washington-dc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Dollarphotoclub_103692423.jpg\")
<\/a>A recent study by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) estimates a 10 percent rise in pedestrians killed in auto accident in 2015 over the previous year. In Washington, DC alone, the GHSA estimates pedestrian deaths soared 40 percent in 2015 over 2014.<\/p>\nWhile 21 states actually saw a decrease in fatal pedestrian accidents, 26 others and the District of Columbia had increased in pedestrian deaths. Main, Utah, and Wyoming all saw their numbers stay the same.<\/p>\n
Factors contributing to rise in pedestrian deaths<\/b><\/h3>\n
According to the report, several factors contributed to the sharp rise in pedestrian deaths nationwide. Those variables included:<\/p>\n
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- Economic conditions<\/li>\n
- Demographics<\/li>\n
- Weather conditions<\/li>\n
- Fuel prices<\/li>\n
- Amount of motor vehicle travel<\/li>\n
- Amount of time people spend walking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Pedestrian accident statistics<\/b><\/h3>\n
The GHSA\u2019s findings detail a disturbing trend of rising pedestrian fatalities across the country. Some eye-catching statistics contained in the analysis show:<\/p>\n
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- California, Florida, Texas and New York accounted for 42 percent of all pedestrian fatalities<\/li>\n
- Arizona, Delaware, and Florida had the highest rates of pedestrian deaths per capita<\/li>\n
- 72 percent of fatalities occurred at night<\/li>\n
- In 2014, pedestrian deaths accounted for 15 percent of all auto related fatalities - up from 11 percent in 2005<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What are governments doing to prevent pedestrian accidents?<\/b><\/h3>\n
One bright spot of the report reviews concrete steps state and local governments take to try and curb pedestrian accidents. Some of the measures highlighted include:<\/p>\n
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- Refuge islands<\/li>\n
- Sidewalks and pedestrian overpasses\/underpasses<\/li>\n
- Optimized traffic signal timing<\/li>\n
- New traffic signals where warranted<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Washington, DC auto accident attorneys<\/b><\/h2>\n
The Washington, DC auto accident attorneys of The Cochran Firm, DC understand the hardships victims and their families face following a serious accident. Whether someone is hurt as a pedestrian, passenger, or driver, the law gives those hurt by another\u2019s negligence the legal recourse to seek compensation for damages.<\/p>\n
If you or a loved one were seriously hurt in an auto accident, whether inside or outside a vehicle, contact The Cochran Firm, DC, for a free consultation<\/strong> about your case. There are absolutely no fees to speak to our attorneys<\/strong> and we do not collect any of our legal fees unless we win your case.<\/p>\n