Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
Fatal pedestrian accidents in Massachusetts spiked sharply in 2022, up 35% over the year before. According to a report from the statewide pedestrian advocacy group WalkBoston, 101 pedestrians died in traffic crashes in 2022 compared to 75 in 2021.
The rise in Massachusetts pedestrian fatalities seems to have outpaced last year’s nationwide increase. After reaching a 40-year-high in 2021, pedestrian deaths in the U.S. went up by 5% in the first half of 2022. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reported that drivers in the U.S. hit and killed an estimated 3,434 people in the first half of the year, an average of 19 pedestrian deaths every day.
New Report on MA Pedestrian Fatalities
In March, WalkBoston released its report on “Fatal Pedestrian Crashes in MA (2022).” In addition to the 35% increase in deadly pedestrian accidents, the report highlighted the following findings:
- Location: Of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts, 60 had at least one pedestrian death in 2022. Boston saw the most fatal pedestrian crashes (12), followed by Worcester (7), and Chicopee (5). Four locations had 3 deadly pedestrian accidents each: Brockton, Framingham, Lowell, and Springfield.
- Neighborhood: A whopping 71% of crashes occurred in Environmental Justice Census Block Groups. These areas are made up of neighborhoods meeting criteria for lower household income, higher percentages of people of color, and lower levels of English proficiency.
- Age: Older adults were struck and killed at a higher rate than pedestrians of other ages. In fact, more than 65% of fatal crash victims were 50 or older and 38% were over 65. That is in stark contrast with the makeup of the population in Massachusetts, where only 17% is over 65.
- Time of Day: Visibility may play a role in pedestrian deaths, as the majority (60%) of fatal pedestrian crashes in the state occurred in the dark, either before sunrise or after sunset.
- Hit and Run: Just under 10% of the fatal pedestrian crashes in Massachusetts were hit and run accidents, in which the driver failed to stop at the scene.
Massachusetts Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Because pedestrians are not protected by the safety features of cars, they often sustain grave injuries in traffic collisions. Car crashes can cause broken bones, crush injuries, and traumatic brain injuries which can be fatal or permanent. Less serious injuries may still require emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, and/or long-term rehabilitation.
If you or a loved one was seriously hurt in a car crash, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you seek compensation. You may be able to recover funds for medical bills, lost income, permanent or temporary disability, or the wrongful death of a family member who died in a fatal car accident.
The pedestrian accident attorneys at Altman & Altman LLP have been helping victims of Massachusetts car crashes for over 50 years. We have the experience needed to investigate auto accidents, review medical records, and help you every step of the way. So call us at 617.492.3000 or 800.481.6199 or contact us online for a free consultation with an experienced Boston pedestrian injury lawyer today.
