Edinburg Man Killed in Auto-Pedestrian Accident
A man was struck and killed in an auto-pedestrian accident in Edinburg on November 11. The U.S. is currently seeing a 40-year high in fatal pedestrian crashes, and there are theories as to why. Keep reading to learn more about the Edinburg accident and the causes of the rise in pedestrian auto deaths from the team at Villalobos Law Firm, McAllen lawyers for auto accident injury.
The Auto-Pedestrian Accident
On Saturday, November 11, a 78-year-old Edinburg man was killed in a pedestrian accident in the 2000 block of East University Drive. Officers responded to the accident at around 7:30 p.m.
According to authorities, the man was walking on the outside lane of University Drive when he was hit by a black Ford Expedition. After emergency responders arrived on the scene, the man was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Following the crash, the driver involved stopped immediately to render aid, and they have been cooperating with police.
An investigation into this incident remains ongoing.
The Rise in Pedestrian Fatalities
According to a study by the Governors Highway Safety Association, there were an estimated minimum of 7,500 pedestrians killed in 2022, representing the highest number of pedestrians killed on roadways since 1981. It’s possible that the figure could be even higher due to limits in data collection.
Pedestrian deaths have been on the rise since they hit a low in 2009, increasing by a shocking 77% between 2010 and 2021. Meanwhile, other accidents increased by 25% during that time.
There are several theories that could help explain this spike in pedestrian accidents. First, during the pandemic, the rate of reckless driving increased, leading to more accidents involving pedestrians. The pandemic is largely over, but reckless driving remains.
The next explanation is further reaching. Research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) suggests that the rise in pedestrian deaths can be blamed on the increasing size of vehicles on the road. The front ends of cars are getting taller and blockier, and that larger front end obscures drivers’ view of the road directly in front of them. Even vehicles of medium height can still be incredibly dangerous for pedestrians due to their blocky shape.
The IIHS research shows that SUVs and vans with hoods taller than 40 inches are roughly 45% more likely to lead to a pedestrian fatality in a crash compared to vehicles of 30 inches or less. According to IIHS, passenger vehicles have increased in height and width by an average of 8 inches and 4 inches respectively over the past three decades, with weight increasing by 1,000 pounds.
Along with larger, blockier cars, IIHS also points to poor infrastructure and speeding as other primary causes of the increase in pedestrian deaths.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a Texas auto-pedestrian accident, a McAllen lawyer for auto accident injuries can help you seek financial relief.
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Source: ValleyCentral, KRGV5
