The Current State of Pedestrian Safety in San Jose

Last year was not a good year for pedestrians in the San Jose area. According to The Mercury News, there were 29 pedestrian fatalities over the course of 2019, which was an all-time high for the city. Already in 2020, even with people driving less because of coronavirus, there have been at least seven pedestrian fatalities within San Jose. As personal injury attorneys, our job is to help victims of traffic collisions and their loved ones recover after a crash, however it pains us to see them happen in the first place.

Causes Of Pedestrian Deaths

The San Jose Police Department lists the primary causes of pedestrian fatalities as:

• Jaywalking;
• Inattentiveness;
• Not wearing reflective or bright clothing;
• Alcohol or drug use; and
• Pedestrians trying to cross multi-lane roads.

These reasons put a lot of the blame on pedestrians, but drivers’ actions are almost always the cause of pedestrian injuries and fatalities. A skilled attorney can help you further investigate a pedestrian versus car collision to determine if the driver was:

• Speeding;
• Driving distracted;
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; or
• Ignoring stops signs, red lights, or other traffic signals.
  

What Steps the City is Taking to Prevent Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities 

Another reason for pedestrian injuries and fatalities is that roadways and communities are not built to accommodate pedestrians. In February, 2020 the San Jose City Council voted to put $7 million dollars towards its VisionZero plan. VisionZero is a commitment many cities are taking to get traffic deaths to zero. The city has identified 15 new safety corridors that need improvements such as crosswalks, signage, and transit boarding stations. While these are all steps in the right direction, it will likely take time for the city to become safe for pedestrians.

Common Pedestrian Injuries

• Traumatic brain injuries;
• Spinal injuries;
• Lacerations;
• Contusions;
• Road rash;
• Fractured limbs;
• Fractured collarbone;
• Fractured hip;
• Internal bleeding;
• Lower leg injuries;
• Broken wrist;
• Torn ACL tendon and meniscus;
• Sprained ankle;
• Internal organ damage;
• Herniated disc; and
• Facial lacerations.
  

What to Do If You Are Hit While Walking  

If you are hit while walking and your injuries are not so severe that you are driven away by ambulance, the first thing you should do is contact the police and get the contact information and insurance of the driver who hit you. Then you should seek medical attention for any injuries you sustained. After contacting the police and getting medical care, your next step is to contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in the San Jose area. 

Contact A Pedestrian Accident Attorney in San Jose  

A San Jose pedestrian accident attorney at the Solution Now Law Firm can help guide you through the process of filing an insurance claim if you have been hit as a pedestrian. We will take over the legal work so that you can focus on making a full recovery. If your loved one was killed by a vehicle while walking, we can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit. Contact our San Jose offices to schedule a free consultation.

Resources:

mercurynews.com/2020/02/11/san-jose-to-put-more-funding-toward-campaign-to-prevent-rising-pedestrian-deaths/

sjpd.org/boi/vcuweb/autoped-stats.html