Traveling on foot comes with its own set of dangers and hazards. Motor vehicles seriously injure and sometimes kill pedestrians when a collision occurs. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says more than 6,280 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2018, a 3 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Here are leading tips for mitigating your risk of a pedestrian accident:
- Be visible. Brightly colored clothing helps you stand out visually to motorists.
- Cross only at designated crosswalks. Motorists aren’t expecting to see pedestrians outside of designated areas and so they may not be paying as much attention.
- Don’t be a distracted pedestrian. It’s best practice to walk without headphones, without talking on the phone and without texting. Although these things may seem harmless because you aren’t in a motor vehicle, they greatly increase the chances that you won’t see or hear a motor vehicle in your path.
- Always use the sidewalk when one is available. Unfortunately, some areas do not have walkways and in such cases – if there is no safer option – you should walk facing oncoming traffic but as far out of the road as possible.
- Be cautious at driveways, and parking lot entrances and exits. Check to make sure a motor vehicle is not turning into your path before you cross.
- Be a sober pedestrian. Impairment affects your coordination, vision, balance and judgement, all of which you need to walk safely along roadways.
Staying alert and following the rules can go a long way in preventing an encounter with a motor vehicle.
If the crash that injures a pedestrian can be linked to the motorist’s negligence, then the injured pedestrian may have a case to pursue compensation. This injury claim would seek maximum compensation for all of the ways the victim has been affected, including medical expenses, lost income from being unable to work, pain and suffering, and more. The best way to find out if you have a case is to search our directory for an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in your area. Get started soon so you can find out what your options are for pursuing injury compensation.
