Pennsylvania Pedestrian and Bicycle Statistics

The streets of Pittsburgh and its suburbs are busy with motor vehicles, bikes, and people alike. Have you been a victim of a traffic accident in which you were a pedestrian or bicyclist? Perhaps a car struck you when the driver failed to see you or was impaired by a cell phone, drugs, or alcohol?

If so, you’re not alone. According to PennDOT, 1020 bicycle accidents in 2019 resulted in 1003 injuries. Another 16 cases resulted in the death of the cyclist. A majority of those injured or killed suffered a crash in broad daylight, with 62.5% of deaths and 77.5% of injuries occurring during daylight hours.

The same 2019 statistics source reported 4,101 pedestrian-related traffic accidents with 154 deaths.

Pedestrian accident lawyers can be of vital assistance if you’ve suffered an injury in a pedestrian or bicycle accident. Our experienced accident attorneys at the law firm of Frischman & Rizza will work hard on your behalf to advocate for you throughout the entire process of an injury claim. Our base is in Pittsburgh, but we serve clients across the state of Pennsylvania.

Even with the city’s aggressive push to create a biking infrastructure, accidents still happen. When they do, our goal is to help you receive the legal and financial justice you seek for your injuries and their impact on your life.

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Bicycle Accidents

According to the National Survey of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behavior, more than 850 cyclist deaths a year are attributable to traffic accidents. 75% of those occur in busy cities such as Pittsburgh. Over the survey’s two-year period, two million cyclists suffered an injury, with 457,000 of those involving motor vehicles.

Most bicycle accidents in Pennsylvania occur where there are no traffic control devices in place. However, one out of four fatalities and injuries happened even when a traffic signal was in place.

One-third of pedestrian fatalities took place in the dark, with street lights in the area. In comparison, nearly two-thirds of all injuries took place during the daytime. The most significant percentage in both categories, three out of four fatalities and half the injuries occurred with no traffic control device in place at the crash scene.

Pedestrian Accidents

In Pennsylvania, pedestrian accidents account for 3.3% of all traffic-related accidents, but they made up 14.5% of all accident fatalities in 2019. That means you’re much more likely to be killed in a pedestrian accident than in other types of traffic accidents.

Of all the pedestrian traffic crashes reported:

• 4% were entering a crosswalk or other location
• 9% were walking, running, jogging, or playing
• 8% were stationary
• 26% counted as “Other”

Looking at just fatalities:



• 3% were entering a crosswalk or other location
• 3% were walking, running, jogging, or playing
• 8% were stationary
• 6% counted as “Other”

62% of all pedestrian traffic crashes took place in a city. While 22.5% took place in a township and 15.5% took place in a borough or town.

What to Do After a Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident

A bicycle or pedestrian accident is a traumatic event. Even so, it is crucial to take the following steps following an accident, if possible:

• Immediately call 911 to set in motion all the proper emergency response teams.
• Move to the side of the road to avoid further accidents.
• Do not accept blame for the accident or attempt to apologize or negotiate with the other party involved with the accident.
• Obtain eyewitness accounts from anyone who saw the accident occur.
• Take photos or video to document the scene of the accident, including any damage or physical injuries.
• Seek medical attention as soon as you are able, even if you feel fine. You may have subtle injuries that can worsen over time, even weeks after the initial accident.
• Contact a professional pedestrian accident attorney. We have resources at our disposal to acquire additional evidence to help your case if you choose to pursue legal action.
  

Common Causes of Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents

There are many different causes of traffic accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists, some of which include:

• Driving while drunk or under the influence of other substances
• Speeding
• Failure to use turn signals
• Not using headlights when required by bad weather or at night
• Making turns at intersections without looking for pedestrians crossing
• Cell phone use, such as texting while driving
• Failure to stop at a stop sign
• Failing to yield at a crosswalk
• Poor road or crosswalk design