Though car accidents can be terrible and even deadly, the reality is that when two vehicles crash into one another the resulting harm can vary greatly. The accident could result in some chipped paint or a broken fender. Even more serious accidents can still spare vehicle occupants much harm thanks to seatbelts, airbags and increasingly safe automotive design.
The multitude of safety features on vehicles today is a huge benefit for those inside the vehicle, but do nothing to protect those on the outside. Many drivers forget about pedestrians, incorrectly believing that accidents always involve other cars. When these accidents occur, pedestrians are left vulnerable and exposed, unable to rely on the airbags or seatbelts that keep those of us inside the vehicle safe. It’s for this reason that pedestrian accidents often end so tragically.
Just such an example occurred this past week when a man from Oktibbeha County, MS died after being hit by an oncoming vehicle. Police say that the crash occurred in a northbound lane of Highway 25 a little after 4:30 in the morning. A young woman was driving her sedan when she struck 64-year-old Roosevelt Taylor of Starkville, MS. The accident was serious and Taylor succumbed to his injuries.
Police say the driver of the vehicle left the scene of the crash in another car, likely having a friend take her away. Authorities eventually located the woman and say that she is being held for questioning related to the accident. Police will release more details shortly and, in the meantime, the loved ones of Taylor must wait and hope for justice.
Sadly, stories like this one are all too common. According to the CDC, more than 4,700 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the U.S. in 2013. That works out to an average of one crash-related pedestrian death every two hours. A good indicator of how much more dangerous it is for a person to set out on foot than to set out in a car is that pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to die each and every trip than the occupants of a vehicle.
Beyond the thousands of people who die each and every year, another 150,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency rooms last year, often with severely broken bones, fractures, spinal trauma and brain injuries. To help prevent these serious accidents, pedestrians can do their part by trying to increase their visibility at night. Carry a flashlight and wear reflective clothing. Whenever possible, walk on a sidewalk or path facing traffic and cross streets at designated crosswalks. Even if you take all these steps, it’s important to remember that your safety ultimately depends on the actions of those in oncoming automobiles.
If you have been injured in a Mississippi car, motorcycle or tractor-trailer accident and think you may have a personal injury claim, please contact the Mississippi personal injury attorneys at Kilpatrick & Philley at 601-707-4669.
Source: http://www.wtva.com/news/local/Pedestrian_dead_after_struck_by_car_driver_held_for_questioning.html