Casey is a founding partner at River Run Law Group. Casey has tried numerous cases across the Commonwealth in both General District Court and Circuit Court. He has earned millions of dollars for his clients through trials, mediations, and settlements.
Virginia’s streets aren’t just for cars—thousands of people walk daily to work, school, shops, and bus stops. However, pedestrians can pay the price when drivers don’t pay attention, or roadways lack proper safety features. You may be wondering, Where do most pedestrian accidents occur in Virginia? Serious accidents can happen in an instant, leaving victims with painful injuries and overwhelming medical bills.
The answer depends on a mix of factors, including high-traffic areas, poor infrastructure, and risky driving behavior. From city intersections to suburban highways, certain places consistently see more crashes than others.
At River Run Law, we represent injured pedestrians throughout Virginia. We understand the patterns behind these accidents and know how to work to hold negligent drivers accountable. In this post, we’ll break down where most pedestrian collisions and fatalities occur in Virginia.
Where Do Most Pedestrian Collisions Occur?
Pedestrian collisions can happen anywhere cars and foot traffic intersect, but certain spots are especially hazardous. Collisions often occur in areas with high foot traffic—like busy intersections or multi-lane roads—where poor visibility, driver inattention, or flawed road design increase the risk of a crash. Here’s a closer look at high-risk areas where most pedestrian collisions happen.
Busy Intersections
Intersections are among the most common places for pedestrian crashes, especially in cities and dense suburban areas. Even with crosswalks and traffic signals in place, drivers may fail to yield while turning, run red lights, or speed through yellows. These behaviors put pedestrians at serious risk—particularly during morning and evening rush hours when traffic is heaviest, and visibility may be low.
Intersections near schools, shopping centers, and public transportation stops are especially high-risk due to higher foot traffic and more complex road patterns.
Midblock Crossings
Midblock crossings are spots where people cross the road between intersections, often because a crosswalk is too far away or inconvenient. These crossings are dangerous because drivers don’t expect to stop in the middle of the block and may not see pedestrians until it’s too late—especially if the area lacks lighting or signage.
Parking Lots and Driveways
You might not think of parking lots as dangerous, but pedestrian collisions can happen there. Drivers backing out of parking spaces or turning into narrow lanes may not see someone walking behind them, particularly if they’re distracted, or visibility is limited by nearby vehicles.
Residential driveways pose similar risks, especially when drivers are in a hurry, or children are playing nearby.
Multi-Lane Roads and High-Speed Areas
Pedestrians are also at risk on multi-lane roads, especially those with speed limits over 35 mph and few designated crossing points. These roads often have limited signage and long distances between safe crossing areas. When drivers move quickly and focus on other vehicles, they may not notice a pedestrian trying to cross until it’s too late.
This risk is especially prevalent in suburban corridors, where development outpaces pedestrian infrastructure. In these areas, walkers must often navigate busy streets without crosswalks or sidewalks.
Where Do Most Pedestrian Fatalities Occur?
Fatal pedestrian accidents don’t just happen in high-traffic areas—they tend to occur under specific conditions that make it harder for drivers to see and react in time. While many pedestrian collisions result in injury, fatalities are more likely when several risk factors come together.
Low Visibility Conditions
A large number of pedestrian fatalities occur at night or in poorly lit areas. Even in places with streetlights, visibility can be limited by weather, shadows, or other vehicles. Pedestrians wearing dark clothing or crossing outside marked crosswalks are especially vulnerable, as drivers may not notice them until it’s too late.
Higher Vehicle Speeds
Fatal pedestrian accidents are more likely on roads with higher speed limits, where drivers have less time to slow down or swerve—and where the impact force is much greater. Even if a driver sees someone on the road, stopping in time is much more complicated at 45 mph than at 25 mph.
Lack of Safe Crossings
Areas without marked crosswalks, pedestrian signals, or refuge islands are also more dangerous. When pedestrians are forced to cross multiple lanes of traffic without any signal control, they often have to take risks just to get across. These actions increase drivers’ chances of overlooking or misjudging a crossing pedestrian, especially during high-volume traffic times.
Driver Behavior
In many fatal pedestrian accidents, driver behavior plays a significant role. Distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, and driving under the influence are all common contributing factors in deadly pedestrian crashes. Even a momentary lapse can have fatal consequences when drivers are impaired or not paying attention.
River Run Law Is Here to Help
Pedestrian accidents can leave you with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and a lot of questions about what comes next. At River Run Law, we’re here to help guide you through that uncertainty with strong legal support.
River Run Law is proud to serve clients throughout Virginia. We focus on personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, using modern technology to deliver a more responsive, personalized experience for our client. We take the time to understand your situation, explain your options, and work to build a case reflecting your injuries’ full impact. With River Run Law, you’ll never pay upfront legal fees. You only pay if we recover compensation for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
