In Maryland, pedestrian fatalities also remain at record levels
Pedestrian accident fatalities remain high nationwide, according to a recent study conducted by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). And in certain states like Maryland, pedestrian fatalities recently hit an all-time high, according to official government pedestrian accident data.
So just how common are pedestrian deaths nationwide and in Maryland? Why are pedestrian accidents still so common? And what can be done to prevent pedestrian accidents? The experienced pedestrian accident attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan in Maryland explain what you should know.
Pedestrian deaths are still a problem nationwide
According to the GHSA report, there were 7,148 pedestrian fatalities nationwide in 2024. That figure is 4.3 percent lower than 2023, when there was a record-high 7,737 pedestrian deaths according to the same report.
However, while public safety officials praised the decrease in pedestrian fatalities last year, the numbers are still significantly higher compared to previous years. In particular, the number of people who died in pedestrian accidents last year was 19.2 percent higher compared to 2016, the GHSA reported.
“Much more must be done to protect people walking,” GHSA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Adkins said in a statement released by the government agency about its recent study. “Now is the time to double down on what works.”
Maryland pedestrian accident statistics
While pedestrian fatalities decreased nationwide last year, the numbers told a very different story in Maryland. In 2024, there were 165 pedestrian deaths in Maryland, the same number as the year before in 2023, according to the GHSA study based on state and federal accident data.
Those figures are significantly higher than in other recent years in Maryland. In fact, since 2014, no other year has come close to reaching that number in Maryland. The next highest pedestrian accident death toll for the state was in 2020, when 134 pedestrians were killed in Maryland, according to pedestrian accident statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Why do so many pedestrian accidents happen?
According to the GHSA study, the most common causes and contributing factors in pedestrian accidents include:
- Hit-and-run accidents – one out of four pedestrian fatalities involves a hit-and-run accident.
- SUVs and pickups – More pedestrian accidents in recent years have been caused by SUVs and pickup trucks, which are larger, heavier, and higher off the ground than many other vehicles in the past.
- Nighttime accidents – More than three-quarters of pedestrian fatalities occur after dark.
- No sidewalks – Nearly two-thirds of pedestrian deaths occur on streets or roads without sidewalks.
- Drunk driving – Roughly one out of six (16 percent) of pedestrian deaths involve accidents caused by drunk drivers.
What can be done to prevent pedestrian accidents?
There are many things that towns, cities, states, and other government agencies can do to prevent pedestrian accidents, including:
- Build more sidewalks, install additional streetlights, and enhance pedestrian infrastructure.
- Enforce existing laws related to drunk driving and other hazardous driving behaviors.
- Design vehicles that won’t kill pedestrians like certain SUVs and pickup trucks.
In addition, drivers need to do more to prevent pedestrian accidents in Maryland and across the country, including:
- Share the road with pedestrians.
- Stop at all crosswalks.
- Slow down in residential areas.
- Never drive drunk.
How a lawyer can help after a pedestrian accident
Pedestrian accidents can change the lives of an entire family in an instant. Worst of all, many drivers who cause pedestrian accidents in Maryland or elsewhere often deny any wrongdoing. Instead of admitting wrongdoing, many drivers try to blame the pedestrian for causing the collision. And their insurance companies are often happy to agree with them.
Our Maryland pedestrian accident attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan know how to respond to such situations. When you have our dedicated legal team on your side, we can help you take a stand and demand the compensation you deserve to get your life back on track. Our case results speak for themselves, including $4,975,000 obtained in one car accident case.
Get the Maryland law firm that can help you build a stronger future. Contact us to schedule a complimentary case evaluation with a Maryland pedestrian accident lawyer who prioritizes your best interests. Based in Silver Spring, we handle injury claims and lawsuits throughout Montgomery County and the state of Maryland.
“Great experience from start to finish. Kevin Finnegan was an expert and professional from case intake through final settlement. Extremely skilled and knowledgeable... The whole firm was responsive throughout. Extremely satisfied with how I was treated and believe that Kevin Finnegan was instrumental in obtaining the best possible outcome from my case. I would recommend Goldberg Finnegan without reservation.” – Kevin B., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐