Pedestrian risks in Texas

People in Texas should be able to trust that they are safe when crossing a street, walking from their parked car through a parking lot, or going out for their daily run or dog walk. Sadly, these very basic activities of a person’s daily life may find them in one of the most dangerous positions as they must navigate a sea of vehicles. 

State sees surge in pedestrian deaths 

Records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that the number of pedestrian deaths in Texas increased during the decade spanning from 2009 to 2018. In 2009, there were 350 recorded pedestrian fatalities, representing just over 11% of the total vehicular deaths that year. In 2018, there were 612 pedestrian fatalities, representing almost 17% of the total vehicular deaths that year. 

Travis county rate of pedestrian deaths greater than state 

In Travis county, the reality on the streets for pedestrians appears to be even more grim that it does across the state as a whole. In 2014, the county experienced 12 pedestrian deaths, representing 12.6% of all vehicular fatalities. In 2017, 24 people on foot were killed in vehicular accidents, accounting for 20% of the county’s accident deaths. The next year saw 36 pedestrians lose their lives in accidents, representing more than 30% of all people killed in motor vehicle crashes. 

If you would like to learn more about how you or someone in your family may get the assistance needed after being hit on foot by a car, truck or SUV, please feel free to visit the pedestrian injury and crash page of our Texas personal injury and motor vehicle accident website.