The Serious Nature of Pedestrian Accidents on Highways

Pedestrian accidents on highways are among the most devastating types of traffic collisions. When a person on foot is struck by a vehicle traveling at highway speeds, the chances of severe injury or death are very high. In this blog, we explain where and why these collisions happen, who is most at risk, the legal and medical consequences of highway pedestrian accidents, prevention strategies, and what to do if you or a loved one is injured.

“Highway pedestrian collisions are among the most tragic we handle. The physical and emotional consequences for survivors and families last a lifetime. When roadway design, driver negligence, or impairment plays a role, victims deserve full accountability and compensation to cover medical care, lost wages, and long-term care needs.” — John J. Malm, Naperville pedestrian accident attorney

The Scope of the Problem of Highway Pedestrian Crashes

Pedestrian fatalities remain a major road-safety crisis in the United States. According to the NHTSA, in 2023, 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes, about 18% of all traffic fatalities that year, and an estimated 68,244 pedestrians were injured. On average in 2023 a pedestrian died every 72 minutes and one was injured every 8 minutes. These figures show that pedestrian crashes are both frequent and often fatal.

High-capacity urban roads and high-speed corridors are particularly hazardous, as many pedestrian deaths occur on roads with posted speeds of 45–55 mph where vehicle speed increases both the likelihood of a collision and the severity of injuries. In addition, pedestrian fatalities are not limited to urban arterials, rural highways and poorly-lit stretches can be especially deadly because of higher vehicle speeds, fewer sidewalks, and limited lighting.

Why Highways Are So Dangerous for Pedestrians

Highways and high-speed roads create conditions that are particularly unforgiving for pedestrians:

• High vehicle speeds greatly increase the force of impact, making fatal injuries much more likely.
• Many highways and bypasses are designed without pedestrian infrastructure (sidewalks, crosswalks, or safe crossing points).
• Lighting is often inadequate on rural and peri-urban highway segments, reducing driver recognition of people on foot at night.
• Drivers on highways may be less likely to expect pedestrians, causing delayed reaction times when someone is present.
• Alcohol, distraction, and impairment (both driver and pedestrian) are common contributing factors to non-intersection pedestrian crashes on highways.

Who is Most at Risk for Highway Pedestrian Accidents

Certain groups face higher risks in pedestrian-highway incidents:

• Older adults: age-related frailty increases injury severity.
• Pedestrians walking along or attempting to cross high-speed arterial roads and rural two-lane highways.
• People walking at night or in low-light conditions.
• Individuals impaired by alcohol or drugs, either the driver or the pedestrian.
• People in communities with limited pedestrian infrastructure (rural communities, urban fringes, or areas with missing sidewalks).

Common Scenarios for Highway Pedestrian Crashes

Pedestrian crashes on highways typically occur in a handful of recurring situations:

• Walking along the shoulder of a rural or suburban highway where no sidewalk exists.
• Attempting to cross a multi-lane arterial between intersections (jaywalking across a high-speed road).
• Struck while standing near the roadway (e.g., waiting for a disabled vehicle, changing a tire).
• Pedestrians disabled or forced off a roadway by a crash or other emergency and then struck by passing traffic.
• Falls or medical events that place a pedestrian in a lane of travel on a high-speed road.

Common Injuries in Highway Pedestrian Accidents

When highways are involved the physical consequences are often severe:

• Head and brain trauma, including traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Thoracic and abdominal injuries (internal bleeding, organ damage).
• Multiple fractures and spinal injuries, often resulting in long-term disability.
• Amputations and severe soft-tissue damage.
• Death: pedestrian fatality rates increase steeply with vehicle speed, a pedestrian struck at 40 mph has a dramatically higher probability of death than one struck at 20 mph.

What To Do If Someone Is Struck On a Highway

If you witness or are involved in a pedestrian collision on a highway, prompt and correct action can save lives:

• Call 911 immediately and give precise location details (mile marker, nearest exit, or cross street).
• If safe, move the injured person out of traffic lanes to prevent further injury; only move them if there is imminent danger (e.g., fire, risk of oncoming traffic) to avoid exacerbating spinal injuries.
• Provide basic first aid if you’re trained: control visible bleeding with pressure, keep the person warm and still, and monitor breathing.
• Preserve the scene and, if possible, take photos showing vehicle positions, lighting, skid marks, and the surrounding roadway (these are important for later investigation).
• Get contact information of witnesses and the responding officers — you will need this for any insurance or legal claims.

Highway Pedestrian Accident Liability Considerations

Pedestrian-highway crashes often involve complex liability issues:

• Determining fault can require reconstruction of vehicle speed, lighting conditions, driver conduct, and whether the roadway lacked reasonable pedestrian accommodations.
• If a driver is impaired, distracted, or clearly negligent (e.g., speeding, running a red light), they may be held civilly liable for damages.
• Government entities (city, county, state DOT) can sometimes be liable if a dangerous roadway design or lack of signage contributed to the crash, but claims against governments involve special notice requirements and shorter filing windows.
• Insurance claims usually involve the at-fault driver’s liability policy; if the at-fault driver has insufficient coverage, the pedestrian’s own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (if available) may help cover damages.
• Promptly preserving evidence and seeking experienced legal counsel familiar with highway and pedestrian claims is crucial; deadlines and procedural rules are strict.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Highway Pedestrian Accidents

Q: Are pedestrian crashes more likely to happen on city streets or highways?
A: Many pedestrian deaths occur on high-capacity urban roads and arterial highways where posted speeds are higher (45–55 mph). However, rural highway segments with limited lighting and shoulders are also deadly. The location varies, but high-speed roads consistently show higher fatality severity.

Q: How common are pedestrian fatalities in the U.S.?
A: In 2023 there were 7,314 pedestrian deaths, accounting for about 18% of all traffic deaths and roughly 68,244 pedestrians were injured. These numbers represented a small decline from 2022 but remain historically high compared to lows in prior decades.

Q: If I’m hit by a car on a highway, can I sue even if I was crossing illegally?
A: Possibly. Illinois (and many states) apply comparative negligence rules: even if you bore some fault, you may still recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault—unless your fault bars recovery under specific state rules. The facts matter: roadway design, driver behavior, lighting, and visibility are all part of the legal picture. Talk with an Illinois pedestrian accident attorney quickly because evidence and witness memories fade.

Q: What evidence helps prove a highway pedestrian accident case?
A: Photographs of the scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, lighting conditions, police and incident reports, surveillance or dashcam footage, witness statements, medical records, and expert accident reconstruction can all be critical. Document and preserve anything you can.

Contact the Top-Rated Illinois Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates

Pedestrian accidents on highways often leave victims and families facing overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and lifelong consequences. At John J. Malm & Associates, our team of award-winning Illinois pedestrian accident lawyers has extensive experience investigating complex pedestrian crashes, holding negligent drivers and responsible parties accountable, and fighting for the compensation our clients deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, don’t wait, evidence disappears quickly and deadlines apply. Call our office today for a free consultation to speak directly with a dedicated Illinois injury attorney who will listen to your story, explain your rights, and take immediate action on your behalf.