The average settlement for a pedestrian accident is around $67,500, according to Brown & Crouppen Law Firm, with the median settlement closer to $30,000. Based on data from 2021 to 2024, the firm reports that settlements where a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle ranged from $10,000 to $75,000 for minor injuries. When more serious injuries were involved — like a spinal cord or traumatic brain injury — some verdicts topped $1 million.   Expensive pedestrian accident claims add to the stress the insurance industry already feels from the increase in large verdicts, and also contribute to increased premiums for drivers. For those who choose to carry only their state's legal minimum liability coverage – which sits around 25/50/25 in most states — hitting a pedestrian can easily breach those limits.   As such, it's imperative that drivers take extra care when commuting through areas where people may be on foot. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends the following safety tips for drivers to prevent these incidents:

1. Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times.
2. Use extra caution in hard-to-see conditions like during nighttime or in bad weather.
3. Slow down and prepare to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
4. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and stop well ahead of where the crosswalk is as you approach.
5. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk.
6. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
7. Follow the speed limit.
8. Be extra cautious when backing up.

  Recently, The Texas Law Dog conducted a study to determine which cities in the U.S. are the best for pedestrians. While the study also takes into account a city's walkability and parks and recreation options when ranking pedestrian-friendly cities, in the slideshow above we'll explore the number of accidents involving pedestrians and the pedestrian fatality rate of their top ten.

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• Most expensive states for car accident claims