Every time you step outside to go somewhere on foot, safety is a shared responsibility between you and the drivers on the roads. Pedestrian walker safety is essential, especially because an accident can result in serious injuries that have a life-long impact on the victim.
Most drivers are cautious and aware, but mistakes can happen. Unfortunately, thousands of pedestrians are injured and killed each year. So, any time you are walking somewhere, regardless of the distance, make sure to protect yourself with practical walking safety tips.
Safe Walking Tips
Pedestrian awareness is the first step to protecting yourself when you are walking. Here are a few road safety tips to reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents:
- Use Sidewalks:Whenever there is a sidewalk available, use it! The sidewalk is the safest place to be. If you are walking in the street, then the risk of injury increases. There is still a potential for a pedestrian accident on a sidewalk if a car veers off the road, but it is unlikely that this will happen. Consider the streets in the area and adjust your walking route if needed to stay on roads that have sidewalks.
- Look Both Ways:Children are taught this phrase from a young age: look both ways before crossing the street. This rule applies to people of all ages. Always look left first, then right, and then repeat the left glance before stepping into the street.
- Face Oncoming Traffic:In the unfortunate situation that you need to walk on a road without a sidewalk, make sure you are facing road traffic. You need to be able to see the vehicles that are coming towards you. Walk as far left as possible to leave space between you and the cars that are driving by.
- Use Crosswalks:It’s dangerous to cross the street in undesignated areas. Protect yourself by putting in a little extra effort to walk to the street corner and use a crosswalk. The truth is that most pedestrian accidents occur mid-block because a person wasn’t using the crosswalk.
- Obey Traffic Signals:Always use traffic signals and crossing signals when they are available. Wait for the light to change before you start walking into the street.
- Avoid Restricted Zones:Some areas are never safe for pedestrians. For example, you should never walk on freeways or roads that are restricted to pedestrians. Even if your car breaks down on a freeway, don’t walk to the nearest exit. Instead, it’s better to pull your car off the road, stay buckled in your seatbelt, and call for help.
- Proactive Visibility:Consider how visible your clothing will be on the road. Choose fabrics that are light and bright to ensure that you will stand out. Never walk at night wearing dark-colored clothing. If you are walking at night, consider wearing a reflective vest. Also, have a flashlight in hand to help drivers see your location. Plus, the flashlight will make it easier to see where you are stepping.
- Be Aware:Never allow yourself to get distracted while you are walking. As a pedestrian, it’s dangerous to be looking at your phone. Even though you aren’t behind the wheel, this distraction can increase the likelihood of a mistake – which could result in an injury. So always be aware of your surroundings. Also, don’t use earphones because they can hinder you from hearing the noises around you.
- Never Assume:Even if you are in a location where pedestrians have the right-away, don’t assume that drivers are going to stop for you. Use caution and wait a little longer if a car is coming. Be observant of the traffic flows and never assume that drivers can see you.
- Eye Contact:When you are crossing the street or near cars, be proactive about looking at the driver and trying to make eye contact. If you can see the driver, then there’s a higher likelihood that they are also seeing you. Avoid wearing hats or clothing that block your vision.
- Avoid Substances:Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol can impair your senses. As a result, your ability to make good decisions decreases. Stay away from these substances when you are preparing to go walking.
- Watch for Parked Vehicles:One potential risk is when stepping out between parked vehicles. For example, the risk of a pedestrian accident is high in a parking lot because drivers have a hard time seeing when pedestrians pop out between two cars. Also, visibility is limited when a driver is backing out of a parking space.
While drivers are often at fault in pedestrian accidents, pedestrian walker safety is also necessary. Understand that your proactive care can potentially help you avoid an injury if a driver makes a mistake.
What to Do If You’ve Been in a Pedestrian Accident?
Have you or a loved one recently been injured in a pedestrian accident? It’s a challenge to recover from this type of accident. Not only are you facing medical treatments and bills, but many people struggle financially because they are unable to work during recovery.
The best thing you can do is talk to an experienced attorney about your legal options. You might be eligible to receive compensation to cover your expenses. Additionally, there is often a possibility of recovering additional money for pain and suffering compensation.
Talk to the Experts About Personal Injury and Pedestrian Walker Safety
The best way to maximize available payouts is by working with an experienced personal injury attorney. You deserve to receive fair compensation for your injuries. Our team has years of experience working with other similar cases. We understand the most effective strategies to prove responsibility for the accident, which is an essential step to claim available compensation.
If you need more information about pedestrian walker safety or personal injury legal services, then we invite you to schedule a consultation. We are here to help with anything that you need. Contact our office at Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. to see how we can help with your case: (504) 522-2304.
