A Father’s Mission for Pedestrian Safety: Turning Tragedy into Hope

In January of 2018, Kacie Clark, 20, was killed by a vehicle that hit her while she was on a sidewalk near 19th Avenue and Indian School Road. Her father has turned this tragedy into a story of hope.

Last week, Jay Clark met with Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams. His goal? To discuss pedestrian safety and work towards serious changes in the city. A total of fifty-six pedestrians lost their lives in Phoenix in 2017. According to reports, that number will likely be much higher when we have the 2018 totals.

Last year, Phoenix launched a Pedestrian safety Task Force and has worked to install more high-tech crosswalks. Kacie Clark’s father just wants the number of deaths to go down.

At Lorona Mead, we know that pedestrians face so many unknown dangers each time they are in or around the roadways. If you need a pedestrian accident attorney in Phoenix, you can count on us to secure the compensation you deserve.

Arizona Statistics

The Arizona Department of Transportation gives us the reality of how dangerous it can be for pedestrians in the state. For the latest reporting year, there were:

  • 1,702 pedestrian crashes
  • 226 pedestrians killed in crashes
  • 1,510 pedestrians injured in crashes

If you look at those numbers, you can see that nearly every pedestrian crash resulted in an injury or fatality. These accidents are not like regular vehicle crashes where there is usually only property damage or minor injuries. No, pedestrians often suffer from severe injuries. Consider the following common injuries we see after a pedestrian is hit:

  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries or other head injuries
  • Major internal organ damage and bleeding
  • Broken or dislocated bones
  • Amputations or severe lacerations

These injuries not only require immediate emergency care, but usually require long-term rehabilitation as well. Often, pedestrian crash victims are permanently disabled. The cost of care for these incidents can become so high that people go bankrupt because insurance does not cover it all.

Will your insurance cover the medical costs and other accident-related expenses?

Why Do They Happen?

We often see pedestrian accidents happen in places where people should feel safe. This can include sidewalks, crosswalks, intersections, and even parking lots. They often occur due to negligent driver behavior such as the following:

  • Drivers who are impaired by drugs or alcohol.
  • Drivers who are distracted by their phones or other devices.
  • Drivers who speed or drive aggressively.

Keep in mind that pedestrians can also be injured by bicyclists, motorcyclists, those on electric scooters and more.

What You Can Do Now

Pedestrians’ lives are in other people’s hands when they go out each day. They face so many dangers outside of their control. At Lorona Mead, we are here for you if you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian crash. We want to make sure that you and your family are not in financial jeopardy because of another person’s negligence. When you need a Phoenix pedestrian accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling (602) 385-6825. Let us secure the compensation you need for your medical expense and other hidden accident costs.