Police say that a pedestrian was struck down by a car at the intersection of Walnut and 56th on Wednesday morning, and witnesses say the man is lucky to have lived to tell the tale. The accident occurred around 10:15 a.m. when authorities say the 20-year-old man was attempting to cross the intersection on foot when a fast-moving 2009 Volkswagen struck him, sending his body flying like a “rag doll” against the wall of a corner apartment building. A witness in the building says that the impact was so dramatic that it shook the entire building, waking him from a nap.
The victim, who has not been identified, was able to reach into his pocket and retrieve a cellphone to call for help. He was later treated for internal injuries; both of his legs were broken. Authorities say he remains in the hospital and that he will need to endure several surgeries to correct his injuries. The investigation into the accident is ongoing. Police say that it all unfolded on a police surveillance camera that is fixed on the intersection, and after reviewing the footage closely, they will be able to determine whether or not any Criminal Charges will be filed as a result.
Philly Pedestrian Deaths Alarming in Number
Although this man escaped this horrible accident with his life, not all pedestrians involved in traffic Accidents are so lucky. Statistics from the Philadelphia Police Department show that the number of deaths of pedestrians and cyclists, which accounted for 45 percent of the total death count on Philly’s streets in 2017, is way too high. Of 96 traffic deaths in 2017, 40 of them were pedestrians. This is a slight decline from the previous year, but not by much.
Experts say that an increase in pedestrian deaths is a new nationwide trend. Between the years of 2015 and 2016, traffic deaths among pedestrians increased 11 percent, says the Governors Highway Safety Association. That is the highest number of deaths among pedestrians since 1990.
This increase, say authorities, maybe partly due to the fact that people are increasingly distracted by screen use, including texting friends, playing games, and scrolling on social media while driving. A study in 2017 from Cambridge Mobile Telematics found that in one-fourth of crashes, drivers had been on their cell phones within the one-minute time period leading up to the crash.
Philadelphia police also say that speeding is a big problem in Philly. In studies, it has been shown that in a 20-mph crash situation, a pedestrian has a one in 10 chance of dying. When speed is increased to 40 mph, their chance of dying rises to 90 percent.
Help for Injured Pedestrians
If you are a pedestrian who has been Injured in an accident, you are not alone. The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C., and our Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer want to help. We can assist you in seeking out compensation from the at-fault party in your case so that you can move on with your life. Contact us at (215)-799-9990 to set up your confidential case evaluation today.