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Manassas, VA 20110

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Locklin & Coleman, PLLC - Put Our Experience On Your Side

9253 Mosby Street | Suite 100 | Manassas, VA 20110

CALL TO SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION

Virtual Consults Available At Request

We Operate On A Contingency Fee Basis

A Track Record Of Results In Personal Injury Litigation

Since we began representing victims of negligence, our lawyers have been committed to providing smart and aggressive representation in The Law Offices of Locklin & Coleman, PLLC

Speed and vehicle type play a role in pedestrian crash injuries

Pedestrians are at a high risk of injury or death if they are involved in a collision. Even at slower speeds, a crash can cause internal and external injuries that are difficult to recover from.

At certain speeds, there are some injuries that are more likely. For example, at 16 mph, a pedestrian has a 10% risk of a severe injuries. At 58 mph, there is a 90% chance of severe injuries. Age also plays a role, and those who are 70 have the same average risk of severe injury or death at 25 mph as a 30-year-old person would at 35 mph.

As a pedestrian, this information is important. Knowing that speed plays a role in the force you are struck with, you can make the choice to cross streets with lower speed limits, for example.

The type of vehicle that strikes you plays a role in injury

Besides speed, the risk of injury is higher when a pedestrian is hit by a light truck. The average risk of death a pedestrian faces when struck by a light truck is around the same as being struck by a car traveling around 4 mph faster.

A small change in speed makes a big difference

What’s most interesting about speed is that just a small positive change in speed greatly increases the risk of injury or death. At 15 mph, the risk of severe injury is under 10%, and the risk of death is under 5%. However, at 25 mph, the risk of severe injury jumps to 30%. The risk of death increases to 12%.

By the time a vehicle is traveling at 45 mph, the risk of a severe injury is 89%, and the risk of death is 60%.

How can pedestrians avoid serious injuries or deaths in crashes?

One of the most important things for people to do is to avoid high-speed roadways. If pedestrians can avoid being struck on highways or other fast roadways, then they are more likely to survive and suffer fewer injuries. Locally, you may notice physical barriers, foot bridges and sidewalks along quicker roadways, which are an indication that being near traffic is dangerous due to the speeds at which the vehicles are traveling.

Pedestrians can be hit and injured at any speed, but the slower a vehicle travels the safer the pedestrian will be. Drivers can reduce risk by obeying traffic laws and following speed limits.

Attorneys Brian P Coleman and Kevin L Locklin
FindLaw Network