The Minneapolis Star Tribune has released an interactive map analyzing the most dangerous places to walk in the city of Minneapolis.
According to their findings, cars hit pedestrians more than 900 times between 2010-2013. Nine of these crashes resulted in fatalities and an additional 24 accidents were classified as hit-and-run incidents.
Analysis also found that pedestrians were mostly likely to be hit during the hours of 6-7pm. Car accident attorney Eric Hageman speculates that the high number of accidents at this time of day may be attributed to increased commuter traffic and low visibility. “This hour of the day is a busy time for major Minneapolis roads. When you compound the amount of traffic on the roads with low visibility as the sun is setting, you have a recipe for disaster.”
Hageman represents pedestrians and cyclists across the country who have been hit by cars and trucks. Eric, along with Fred Pritzker recently won a $2,469,339 settlement for the family of a woman who was tragically killed by a semi-truck while riding her bicycle.
The Star Tribune article also named the most problematic intersections based on the number of accidents and fatalities that took place there throughout the past three years. The intersection of Franklin Ave. and Nicollet Ave was the most dangerous place in Minneapolis for pedestrians with 11 individuals injured in the past three years.
Scott Engel, a member of the Minneapolis Pedestrian Advisory Committee told the Star Tribune that places like the Nicollet & Franklin intersection would benefit from improvements like bumped out corners and extra-visible crosswalk markings.
According to this data, the top five worst intersections for pedestrians are as follows:
- Franklin Ave. & Nicollet Ave.
- Lake Street W. & Blaisdell Ave.
- Lake Street W. & Lyndale Ave.
- Cedar Ave. & Riverside Ave.
- Hennepin Ave. & 4th St. S
Engel also told theStar Tribune that if the Franklin Ave. and Nicollet Ave. intersection was located in Linden Hills, a more affluent Minneapolis neighborhood, the pedestrian infrastructure would have been fixed years ago.
“In many ways, it’s a social justice issue,” said Hageman. “In neighborhoods with more resources, there is greater impetus for resolving infrastructure problems.”
If you have been hit by an automobile while walking or riding your bike, you need a personal injury attorney with the skillset and resources to handle your case. Often times, these cases require an attorney with a unique understanding of traffic patterns and accident reconstruction techniques. Attorneys Eric Hageman and Fred Pritzker have handled cases just like yours and can help you understand your legal rights. You can click here now to contact them for your free consultation.