Pedestrian accidents often result in severe and fatal injuries.
Indianapolis city officials recently revised the “Complete Streets” ordinance, which places emphasis on making the city’s streets safer for everyone and which will hopefully reduce the number of pedestrian accidents in Indianapolis, according to a recent Indianapolis Star story.
“When we first did this, I feel like it (pedestrian safety) was always part of the conversation,” Indianapolis City-County Councilor Maggie Lewis said in an interview with the Indianapolis Star. “And we still do, but I don’t know that it’s been a priority.”
Indianapolis’ Complete Streets’ ordinance
First adopted in 2012, Indianapolis’ “complete streets” ordinance was created to approach “street design with all travelers in mind by incorporating elements like bike lanes and walking paths into street projects,” according to the Indianapolis Star.
Many other cities around the country adopted similar ordinances. But the Indianapolis ordinance “drifted to the background” after a few years. That changed last year when a cyclist was killed in October 2021 at the intersection of 86th Street and the Monon Trail near the Nora Plaza, according to Fox 59 News.
The recently revised Indianapolis “complete streets” ordinance “applies not just to city projects and private developers, but projects undertaken by virtually everyone else, from IndyGo to public utilities to individuals,” according to the Indianapolis Star.
Indianapolis pedestrian fatality statistics
Pedestrian accidents resulting in serious injuries or fatalities have been a serious problem in Indianapolis and throughout Indiana for several years. However, nearly 150 Indianapolis pedestrians have been killed in accidents in the past five years alone. In contrast, according to the Indianapolis Star, 100 pedestrian fatalities occurred in the previous five years, and 80 pedestrian deaths happened in the five years before that.
Statewide, pedestrian fatalities increased dramatically last year. A total of 136 pedestrians were killed in Indiana in 2021, the most pedestrian fatalities in the state in more than a decade, according to a recent report published by the Governor’s Highway Safety Administration (GHSA). The year before, 123 pedestrians died in Indiana in 2020, the highest single-year pedestrian death toll in the state in more than a decade until 2021.
Call an Indianapolis pedestrian accident attorney today.
If you were hit by a car, you have the right to seek compensation for all your losses. And while you might think you don’t need a lawyer if a negligent driver hits you, many pedestrian injury claims or lawsuits turn into complicated legal cases. That’s because negligent drivers often deny responsibility, and insurance companies are financially motivated to pay as little money as possible.
The best pedestrian accident attorneys know how to prove negligence, deal with the insurance company, and advocate for fair and full compensation. At Vaughan & Vaughan, our lawyers know how to investigate and build the strongest possible legal case. We’ve been fighting for Indiana’s injured since 1913 and understand what it takes to win.
Put your trust in a law firm that has a long history of helping accident victims. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Indiana pedestrian accident attorney. Our law firm has six offices conveniently located throughout Indiana, including offices in Indianapolis and Lafayette. In addition, we handle injury claims on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no fees unless we win your case.
