It has been a tragic week for the Austin family of 12-year-old Ashanti Taliah Williams, who has become Austin’s second traffic fatality of the new year. She had attempted to run across I-35 when a Dodge truck hit her.
Statistics show that the high percentage of pedestrian accidents for children under the age of 16 make it one of the leading age groups for pedestrian deaths in the nation.
What Are the Age Statistics for Pedestrian Deaths?
According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, pedestrians over the age of 64 make up about 21 percent of all pedestrian fatalities, while children under 16 years old come in second on the list with 10 percent of fatalities.
Overall, the fatality rate per pedestrian accident increases with age. In addition, among adult pedestrian fatalities, alcohol was involved about 37 percent of the time.
What Causes Drivers to Hit Pedestrians?
Often times, the accident is not the fault of the pedestrian. In these cases, one of the following five driving behaviors are the most common reason for the pedestrian death:
- Hit and run driver
- Speeding
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Drugs
- Inattentiveness, including distracted driving
Pedestrian accidents can be catastrophic and life altering. An injured person suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) could need lifetime care, which can be costly. An Austin pedestrian accident attorney can help in securing the necessary compensation needed for your wounds or for the injuries of a family member.
The Law Offices of Aaron Allison – Austin Personal Injury Attorney
Source: http://www.fox7austin.com/news/local-news/child-killed-in-auto-vs-pedestrian-crash
