Most dangerous states for pedestrians

Pedestrian accidents continue to occur across the country at an increasing rate. These accidents are a concern in Illinois when it comes to such issues as roadway design and crosswalk safety, especially when a pedestrian accident results in the death of the pedestrian.

Pedestrian accident fatalities in Illinois

The rate of pedestrian accidents in Illinois that result in deaths has historically lagged behind the national average. However, fatal pedestrian accidents increased from 70 to 75 from 2019 to 2020 according to the Governors Highway Safety Administration. The increase in the pedestrian accident rate was 7% between 2019 to 2020. The national pedestrian accident rate increased by .02% during this same time period.

Southern states bear the  brunt of fatal pedestrian accidents

Despite the fact that Illinois outpaced the national average in 2020 when it comes to fatal pedestrian accidents, Southern states consistently lead the country in regard to these accidents. According to the Pedestrian Danger Index, the most dangerous state in the country for pedestrians is Florida. The other states on the list of the 10 most dangerous for pedestrians, in order of fatality rate, are all in the South, with the exception of only a few:

• Alabama
• New Mexico
• Mississippi
• Delaware
• Louisiana
• Arizona
• South Carolina
• Georgia
• Texas

If you’ve lost a family member in a pedestrian accident, or if you’ve been injured in this type of incident, the best course to take to protect your vital legal rights is to retain an experienced personal injury lawyer. An Illinois attorney may schedule an initial consultation and case evaluation at no cost to a prospective client in order to determine if the case has merit.