Where Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Occur?

Tony Edwards | | Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian crossing in the lane

The average passenger vehicle weighs between 3,000-4,000 pounds. When one of these vehicles hits an unshielded pedestrian, the consequences can be devastating. The vast majority of these accidents occur in urban settings outside of designated crosswalks. Victims may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and should not hesitate to have their case reviewed by an experienced personal injury attorney.

At Edwards & Patterson Law, our legal team is ready to evaluate your case, investigate the law, and fight for your right to fair compensation for your injuries and losses. If you were involved in a pedestrian accident, call us today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case. Read on to learn more about pedestrian laws, statistics, and accident liability.

What Are Pedestrian Laws in Oklahoma?

Pedestrians and drivers share responsibility for making sure roads are safe. Obeying traffic laws, including those governing pedestrians, is an important part of fulfilling this duty. The following list provides a brief overview of pedestrian laws in Oklahoma:

  • Pedestrians must obey traffic-control signals unless otherwise instructed by a police officer.
  • At crosswalks with no traffic-control signals, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
  • Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to vehicles when crossing roads outside of a crosswalk or intersection.
  • Motorists must not pass other vehicles stopped at a crosswalk or intersection for crossing pedestrians.
  • Where sidewalks are provided, a pedestrian must not walk along or upon the adjacent road.
  • When no sidewalks are present, pedestrians should walk on the left side of the road or its shoulder facing traffic.
  • A pedestrian must not step suddenly into the path of a vehicle when it is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
  • Notwithstanding any other laws, all drivers must exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians and must give warning by sounding their horn when necessary.

What Are Some Pedestrian Accident Statistics?

Pedestrian accidents are quite common. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 38,824 pedestrian fatalities nationwide in 2020. According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO), 86 of these occurred within our state. The following statistics break down the numbers further:

  • One pedestrian was injured every 10 minutes.
  • One pedestrian was killed every 81 minutes.
  • Of the 682 Oklahoma pedestrian accidents resulting in injury or death in 2020, most occurred on city streets (481) and concentrated in Oklahoma County (229) or Tulsa County (171).
  • Pedestrian deaths accounted for 17 percent of all traffic fatalities but only 2 percent of all traffic injuries, meaning that pedestrian accidents are statistically more deadly than other traffic accidents.
  • Alcohol was involved in 47 percent of all fatal pedestrian accidents.
  • Hit-and-run drivers were involved in 23 percent of all fatal pedestrian accidents.
  • The average age of pedestrians killed was 47 years old.
  • People between the age of 55-64 years old accounted for 44 percent of killed pedestrians.
  • Males accounted for 71 percent of killed pedestrians.
  • The vast majority of pedestrian accidents (89 percent) involved a single vehicle.
  • While 82 percent of pedestrian accidents occur in urban settings, only 18 percent occur in rural settings.
  • Of all pedestrian accidents, 75 percent occur on open roadways, 15 percent at intersections, and 10 percent at other locations, such as roadsides, parking lots, and sidewalks.
  • Of all pedestrian accidents, 77 percent occur at night, 20 percent in the day, and 4 percent at dusk or dawn.
  • During the workweek, 26 percent of pedestrian accidents occur between 6:00-8:59 pm.
  • On the weekends, 30 percent of pedestrian accidents occur between 9:00-11:59 pm.

How Do You Prove Liability in a Pedestrian Accident?

In most cases, proving liability for a pedestrian accident requires showing that the at-fault party was negligent. Negligence arises when someone fails to take reasonable precautions to avoid hurting others through their actions. Your pedestrian accident attorney can use all sorts of evidence to prove negligence, including:

  • Photos and videos of your injuries and the accident scene
  • Police accident reports
  • Medical treatment records
  • Interviews with witnesses to the accident
  • Testimony from expert witnesses, such as physicians or accident reconstruction specialists

Further, in cases where the violation of a law meant to keep pedestrians safe results in a pedestrian accident, the violation itself may be evidence of negligence. The pedestrian accident attorneys at Edwards & Patterson Law are ready to evaluate the available evidence and build a strong case on your behalf.

Mother and son crossing the street in zebra lane.

Is There a Deadline to File a Case Seeking Compensation for a Pedestrian Accident?

Yes. The statute of limitations in Oklahoma gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. If you try to file your case after this deadline has passed, it will most likely be dismissed in court.

Even if you are not sure whether you want to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party, you should still consult with an attorney as soon as possible after being injured in a pedestrian accident. Among other things, an attorney can make sure you know your rights and are not taken advantage of by the at-fault party or their insurer. At Edwards & Patterson Law, we offer free initial consultations and you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Remember, if your right to seek compensation in court is destroyed because you missed the two-year deadline, there will be little to stop insurers from paying minimum compensation or denying your claim altogether. By speaking to an attorney sooner than later, you will give them more time to prepare your case and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

At Edwards & Patterson Law, we believe that no personal injury victim should lack excellent legal representation in their hour of need. Our personal injury attorneys are proud to provide that representation to injury victims throughout the state. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Oklahoma, we are ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer.

Visit Our Pedestrian Accident Injury Law Offices

Author: Tony Edwards
Tony Edwards

Tony Edwards is a McAlester native who has practiced civil litigation in Oklahoma for nearly four decades. Tony earned his undergraduate degree from East Central University and his law degree from the Oklahoma University College of Law. Today, he focuses his practice exclusively on the representation of accident and injury victims, including mass tort cases involving defective products. He holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, indicating the highest level in legal ability and ethical standards. In addition to his law practice, Tony serves as an elder in Lakewood Christian Church and is active in Shared Blessings, an organization which his wife, DeVonna, launched in 1998 to provide clothes for people in need.

Author: Tony Edwards
Tony Edwards

Tony Edwards is a McAlester native who has practiced civil litigation in Oklahoma for nearly four decades. Tony earned his undergraduate degree from East Central University and his law degree from the Oklahoma University College of Law. Today, he focuses his practice exclusively on the representation of accident and injury victims, including mass tort cases involving defective products. He holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, indicating the highest level in legal ability and ethical standards. In addition to his law practice, Tony serves as an elder in Lakewood Christian Church and is active in Shared Blessings, an organization which his wife, DeVonna, launched in 1998 to provide clothes for people in need.