Speed Data Is Becoming Key in Pedestrian Wrongful Death Claims
Pedestrian deaths in Maryland have surged 58% over the last decade
A recent study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) highlights a troubling reality: speeding drivers are a leading factor in many of Maryland’s most devastating pedestrian accidents. When drivers push past the speed limit, the risks multiply for everyone on foot.
In communities across the state, from dense urban neighborhoods to busy commuter routes, pedestrians face greater danger than ever. Higher speeds reduce stopping distance, intensify the force of impact, and leave little margin for error in situations where just a few seconds can mean the difference between life and death.
At the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC, we’ve seen the devastation speeding drivers cause for pedestrians and their families. We understand how quickly a walk across the street can turn into a life-changing tragedy, and we’re committed to holding negligent drivers accountable. If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident in Maryland or the D.C. area, our team can help you pursue justice and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Speeding drivers put pedestrians at risk
The recent IIHS study provided a detailed explanation of the link between speeding vehicles and pedestrian accidents. The study does not cite specific statistics, but states that many pedestrian accidents could have been prevented if drivers followed the rules of the road and slowed down.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reached a similar conclusion in a recent study on pedestrian accidents – speeding drivers are often to blame for causing such serious accidents.
In particular, the GHSA study noted that speeding-related pedestrian fatalities increased by 20 percent in 2020 compared to the year before. Since then, pedestrian deaths due to speeding drivers have remained high, the GHSA reported. In addition, such numbers could be even higher since many drivers deny speeding when causing a pedestrian fatality.
How speed affects injury severity
According to the IIHS, speeding puts pedestrians at risk for the following reasons:
- Speeding drivers have less time to slow down and avoid hitting a pedestrian.
- Vehicles traveling at a higher speed require more space to come to a complete stop.
- Pedestrians hit by high-speed vehicles often sustain more serious or fatal injuries due to the increased force of a speeding car.
Pedestrian accident statistics
In Maryland, pedestrian deaths have increased by 58 percent in the past decade – from 101 pedestrian fatalities in 2014 to 160 deaths in 2023, according to pedestrian accident data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The same is true nationwide. While pedestrian deaths did decrease slightly to 7,472 deaths in 2023 from a record-high 7,737 deaths in 2022, those numbers are still dramatically higher than in years past.
For example, in 2010, there were 4,302 pedestrian deaths nationwide, according to another recent GHSA study. The 2010 pedestrian death toll is 73 percent less than 2023 and 79 percent less than 2022.
What can be done to prevent fatal pedestrian crashes in Maryland?
The simplest and easiest way to prevent pedestrian fatalities caused by speeding drivers is to lower the speed limit. Fortunately, communities in Maryland can decrease speed limits at the local level. That’s because Maryland is one of 19 states nationwide that give communities the power to lower speed limits without state or federal approval.
Lowering speed limits can dramatically decrease the likelihood of a fatality in a pedestrian accident. According to the IIHS, the risk of a severe pedestrian injury or fatalities increases as follows, based on the speed of the driver at the time of the accident:
- At 20 mph, there’s an 18 percent risk that a pedestrian will sustain a serious injury.
- At 30 mph, the risk of a severe pedestrian injury rises to 50 percent.
- At 40 mph, the risk of a severe pedestrian injury is 81 percent.
When to contact a pedestrian accident lawyer
If a driver hits you while you're crossing the street or walking alongside the road in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain of a serious injury can quickly overwhelm you, and insurance companies are rarely eager to pay what you truly deserve.
That’s when having an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer makes a real difference. An attorney can investigate the crash, gather evidence, push back against attempts to shift blame onto you, and fight for the full amount you are owed. The sooner you get legal help, the stronger your case will be, especially since evidence like traffic camera footage or witness testimony can fade quickly.
At the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of pedestrians injured by negligent drivers. For instance, in one case, we secured a $610,000 award for a college student who was struck in a crosswalk by a speeding driver.
Discover what we can do for you and contact us today for a free case evaluation. We proudly represent accident victims in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
"I've never been in this type of situation, so naturally, I had a lot of questions. Stuart and his staff were very patient with me, answering all my questions and listening to my concerns. ...I would definitely use them again without hesitation." - Janice D., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐