Recent NHTSA Report Finds Significant Increase in Pedestrian Fatality Rate from 2020 to 2021

According to an August 2021 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report, an estimated 8,730 auto collision deaths occurred in 2021’s first three months. This was a 10.5 percent increase from the 7,900 deaths that occurred in 2020’s first three months. These fatality rate increases emerged despite driving declines. According to the Federal Highway Administration, there was a two percent decrease in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2021’s first three months. However, the fatality rate per one million VMT in that period increased from 1.12 in 2020 to 1.26 in 2021. The NHTSA reported that these early estimates suggested that drivers who stayed on the roads engaged in risky behavior, including not wearing seatbelts, excessive speeding, and driving while intoxicated.

NHTSA’s Countermeasures That Work report

The agency also announced that it released the 10th edition of its Countermeasures That Work report. This 641-page report endorsed systematic approaches to curbing auto collision fatalities and addressing the safety of everyone on the road. It covered intoxicated driving, distracted driving, cyclist safety, drowsy driving, pedestrian drivers, elderly drivers, seatbelts, child restraints, speed management, and younger drivers. The report looked at how these issues affect overall society. It also looked at potential strategies to address them.

GHSA’s 2020 pedestrian fatality report

On March 23, 2021, the Governor Highway Safety Association (GHSA) released a report on 2020 pedestrian fatalities. It reported that pedestrian fatalities between 2010 and 2019 increased by 46 percent. The researchers concluded that the following contributed to this increase:

  • The increase in SUV sales: Pedestrian fatalities involving SUVs between 2010 and 2019 increased by 69 percent. By contrast, the pedestrian fatality rate for passenger vehicles overall increased by 46 percent.
  • Night driving: The time of day impacted pedestrian fatality rates. Nighttime pedestrian fatalities increased by 54 percent. By contrast, daytime pedestrian fatalities increased by 16 percent.
  • Warm weather: Pedestrian presence and outdoor alcohol consumption were more prevalent in warmer weather.
  • Race: According to data spanning 2015 to 2019, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) were overrepresented in pedestrian fatalities.

May 2021 GHSA addendum on its 2020 pedestrian fatality report

The GHSA’s May 2021 addendum estimated that there were 6,721 pedestrian fatalities in 2020. It showed that the rate increased by about five percent from 2019. The researchers also found that the pedestrian fatality rate per one billion VMT increased by 21 percent from 2019. The addendum also showed that fatality rates varied by state. Increases occurred in thirty-one states and the District of Columbia. There were triple-digit increases in Alaska, Rhode Island, Kansas, and Vermont. Decreases in occurred nineteen states. Pedestrian fatality rates in Massachusetts, West Virginia, Maine, Delaware, Hawaii, and Wyoming fell by more than 20 percent.

Recent pedestrian fatality verdicts and settlements  

YEAR / STATE

CASE / INJURY SUMMARY

RESULT

2021 – Georgia

An 86-year-old pedestrian was struck by a box truck at an intersection. He was brought to the hospital. The man suffered skull and facial fractures. He died several hours later. The man’s family alleged that the box truck driver’s negligence caused his death. They also made a vicarious liability claim. This case settled for $1,000,000.

$1,000,000 – Settlement

2021 – Texas

A 41-year-old truck driver and his brother ran out of gas on the highway. He exited the vehicle and walked about a mile to find gas. The man was struck by a tractor-trailer. He died instantly. The man’s family alleged negligence against the at-fault truck driver. They claimed he failed to maintain an appropriate lookout. The family also made negligent supervision and vicarious liability claims against the truck driver’s employer. The defense disputed liability. They argued comparative negligence. The jury found the deceased 50 percent liable, the truck driver 40 percent liable, and the truck driver’s employer 10 percent liable. They awarded $2,324,000.

$2,324,000 – Verdict

2020 – Missouri

A 66-year-old woman died from metastatic breast cancer. Her family alleged that the radiologist’s negligence caused her death. They claimed he improperly interpreted her bilateral mammogram, failed to timely diagnose breast cancer, and failed to order tests that would have prevented the woman’s misdiagnosis.

$325,000 – Settlement

2020 – Texas

A woman, her 12-year-old son, and her nephew were struck on a sidewalk. Her son died from his injuries. The woman alleged that the at-fault driver’s negligence caused his death. She claimed he drove into a sidewalk, failed to maintain an appropriate lookout, and failed to yield to pedestrians. The woman and her nephew’s parents also made bystander claims. This case settled for $100,000.

$100,000 – Settlement

2020 – Oregon

A 15-year-old girl was struck in a crosswalk. She died minutes later. The girl’s family alleged negligence against the at-fault driver. They claimed she excessively sped, failed to yield to a pedestrian, and passed a vehicle that stopped for a pedestrian. This case settled for $445,000.

$445,000 – Settlement

2019 – Pennsylvania

A 15-year-old girl was struck in a crosswalk. She died minutes later. The girl’s family alleged negligence against the at-fault driver. They claimed she excessively sped, failed to yield to a pedestrian, and passed a vehicle that stopped for a pedestrian. This case settled for $445,000.

$50,000 – Settlement