Preventing Pedestrian Accidents

Many personal injuries occur when an automobile strikes a pedestrian. Here are several steps you can take to minimize your chances of being involved in a collision.

Each year throughout the United States, pedestrians are injured or killed in collisions with motor vehicles. According to the CDC, nearly 6,000 pedestrians are killed each year in the United States. Accidents of this nature are considered a personal injury or wrongful death, depending on the severity of the injuries sustained. Whether you drive a motor vehicle or you enjoy jogging or going on walks, it’s important to understand how you can stay safe and help prevent these types of accidents from occurring. Here’s what you need to know.

Avoid Driving When You’re Distracted

If you’re driving, make sure that you’re not distracted. While most adults understand you should never text and drive, keep in mind that other things can be distracting, too. Using your cell phone to talk while driving, changing your CDs, or messing with settings on your radio can all contribute to distractions while you’re in the car. Make sure you pay attention to the road and give it your full focus when you’re driving your vehicle.

Pay Attention in Poor Weather

It’s especially important to pay attention to the roads when you’re driving in poor weather. Snow, hail, fog, and rain can all contribute greatly to personal accidents involving pedestrians. Bad weather inhibits your ability to see clearly, which makes it extra important that you remain vigilant while driving.

Wear Bright Clothing

If you enjoy going on walks or jogging, make sure that you dress in bright clothing. Ideally, you should also wear reflective gear. Remember that drivers of motor vehicles may not always be able to see you clearly, which is why it’s extra important that you wear bright and colorful clothing when you’re out and about.

Be Careful Where You Walk

In addition to dressing carefully, make sure you’re careful where you walk. In general, you should aim to walk on the sidewalk; however, not all roads have sidewalks close by. If you do need to walk or jog in the road, make sure you walk against the flow of traffic to ensure that vehicles can see you when you’re out and about.

Pay Attention to Vehicles

Perhaps most importantly, make sure you pay attention to vehicles when you’re a pedestrian. While it’s vital that drivers pay careful attention to the road, it’s also important that you watch to ensure they see you. If a driver appears distracted or is swerving, take care to protect yourself while you’re walking.

If you have been injured due to a collision that is not your fault, make sure you reach out to an attorney promptly. The right lawyer will take your statement and talk about your options with you. In some cases, you may be able to sue for damages as a result of your injuries or lost wages, as well as emotional trauma sustained as a result of the accident. Meet with your attorney as soon as possible so you can begin moving forward with your life today.