Pedestrians in Jefferson, Wisconsin face disproportionate risks of severe and catastrophic injuries when involved in motor vehicle collisions due to the fundamental lack of physical protection against the forces generated by impact with a vehicle. Unlike vehicle occupants who benefit from safety features such as seatbelts, airbags, crumple zones, and reinforced cabin structures, pedestrians absorb the full force of a collision with their bodies, making them vulnerable to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal organ damage, and severe lacerations. The risk factors are amplified by several related circumstances including poor visibility conditions, distracted driving, failure to yield at crosswalks, inadequate street lighting, impaired drivers, excessive vehicle speed, and hazardous road design that fails to adequately separate pedestrian walkways from vehicular traffic. In Jefferson and throughout Jefferson County, pedestrian accidents often occur at intersections, in parking lots, and along roadways lacking proper sidewalks or pedestrian infrastructure. When these collisions result from driver negligence—such as failing to obey traffic signals, disregarding crosswalk laws, or operating a vehicle while distracted or impaired—injured pedestrians may have grounds for a personal injury claim to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term rehabilitation needs.

Recent Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Wisconsin

Wisconsin continues to face significant pedestrian safety challenges, with 1,299 crashes involving pedestrians in 2023, resulting in 61 deaths and 1,190 injuries—averaging one pedestrian killed or injured every seven hours. This represents an 18 percent decrease from 2022, when 72 pedestrians were killed in 1,324 crashes, which had marked a five-year high and followed a national trend of pedestrian deaths reaching a 40-year high. Pedestrian crashes in Wisconsin most frequently occur on weekdays, particularly Fridays, with the highest concentration occurring between 3 pm and 6 pm during the after-school and evening commute hours. Of the 62 fatal pedestrian crashes in 2023, 20 involved an impaired pedestrian or driver (32%), while 122 of the 1,150 injury crashes (11%) involved impairment. Pedestrians aged 25-34 face the highest risk of injury, while older pedestrians are disproportionately more likely to suffer fatal outcomes when involved in collisions. Transportation safety officials attribute recent improvements to enhanced safety messaging, enforcement efforts, and infrastructure improvements, though Wisconsin's pedestrian fatality rate of 1.27 deaths per 100,000 residents demonstrates the ongoing need for continued safety initiatives and legal protections for vulnerable road users.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Wisconsin law establishes specific protections for pedestrians that are central to personal injury claims arising from vehicle collisions. Under Wisconsin Statutes § 346.24 and § 346.25, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks and exercise due care to avoid striking pedestrians. Wisconsin follows a comparative negligence system (Wis. Stat. § 895.045), meaning injured pedestrians can recover damages even if partially at fault, though compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault—unless they are more than 50% responsible, which bars recovery. Wisconsin requires minimum liability insurance coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, though pedestrian injuries often exceed these limits, making underinsured motorist coverage considerations important. Injured parties must file personal injury lawsuits within three years of the accident date under Wisconsin's statute of limitations (Wis. Stat. § 893.54). Recoverable compensation may include economic damages such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and reduced earning capacity, as well as non-economic damages for pain, suffering, disability, and diminished quality of life. 

Related Resources

Local Courts:

• Jefferson County Courthouse: 311 S Center Ave, Jefferson, WI 53549 – (920) 674-7100
• Wisconsin Circuit Court Access: https://wcca.wicourts.gov

Support Services:

• Jefferson County Public Health Department: (920) 674-7275
• Safe Communities of Jefferson County (injury prevention resources)
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation – Pedestrian Safety Programs: https://wisconsindot.gov/pages/safety/safety/ped-bike/default.aspx

State Traffic Laws and Regulations:

• Wisconsin State Statutes – Chapter 346 (Rules of the Road): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/346
• Wisconsin Pedestrian and Bicycle Laws: https://wisconsindot.gov/pages/safety/safety/ped-bike/laws.aspx
• Wisconsin Legislative Documents: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov

Additional Resources:

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation Safety Resources: https://wisconsindot.gov/pages/safety/home.aspx
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Pedestrian Safety: https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety