Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that roads in Texas and around the country are increasingly dangerous for pedestrians. The number of pedestrian fatalities in 2010 rose 4.2 percent from the year before. The number of pedestrian personal injuries from car strikes also climbed a shocking 19 percent to 70,000 while the number of auto accident deaths and injuries has declined to historic levels

There are many contributing factors to the rise in pedestrian accident fatalities and injuries. Anecdotally, more pedestrians are on local roads in an effort to avoid high gas prices and to improve the environment. Some safety advocacy groups also say that road design may be causing some of the increases in pedestrian fatalities. Many Texas cities have massive roads built to move large amounts of traffic and these roads are often not designed with pedestrian safety in mind.

Losing a loved one is difficult for any Texas families to endure. Families who lose someone due to the negligence of a motorist are not without rights however. A Texas wrongful death attorney can help grieving families hold negligent drivers responsible for the damage that they cause.

A wrongful death lawsuit is a type of legal action in which the families of a deceased Texas pedestrian accident victim sue the driver that caused the pedestrian's death. Funds from the lawsuit can be used to pay for medical or funeral expenses associated with the fatal accident. Funds from a wrongful death suit can also compensate a family for the lost love, support, and comfort of the deceased pedestrian.

It is important to hold negligent motorists accountable for the damage that they have caused, so do not hesitate to hire an experienced wrongful death attorney to advocate for your family's rights to compensation.

Source: USA Today,"As U.S. road deaths drop, more pedestrians getting struck," Larry Copeland, Dec. 9, 2011