Pedestrian accidents can cause serious damage to the victims. Precautions must be taken by pedestrians to ensure road safety. Here are the best ways for pedestrians to avoid road accidents. If you are a victim of a pedestrian accident, you should file a pedestrian accident claim.
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| Pedestrian crossing rules. Image source |
Pedestrian Safety Tips: How Pedestrians Can Protect Themselves from Negligent Drivers
Pedestrian accidents are at an all-time high. Pedestrian accident deaths have increased by 77% since 2010. 7,264 pedestrians died in the year 2021. Negligence is the primary reason for this high number of deaths.
The common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield
- Driving while intoxicated
- Jaywalking
If you are a victim of a pedestrian accident, you can file a pedestrian accident claim. A lawyer can help victims claim compensation for pedestrian accidents.
Pedestrian accidents are more dangerous for pedestrians since they are fully exposed to the impact of the vehicle. So, as a pedestrian, you should protect yourself from negligent drivers.
Following are some things a pedestrian can do to avoid accidents:
- Use sidewalks
- Avoid jaywalking
- Avoid wandering around when you are drunk
- Be visible to the drivers
- Focus on the road
Use sidewalks
Sidewalks are designated lanes that only pedestrians can use. No motor vehicles can drive in this area. Walking on the sidewalks ensures the safety of pedestrians.
When you walk on the sidewalks, the chances of pedestrian accidents go down. Using sidewalks is also much more efficient than walking on the road.
Avoid jaywalking
Jaywalking is one of the most common reasons for pedestrian accidents. Jaywalking is the act of crossing the road where there is no crosswalk. People should cross the road only where a crosswalk is present.
Jaywalking is illegal in all states. People in motor vehicles don’t expect people to cross the road where there are no crosswalks. So it will be hard for them to react when you jaywalk.
Avoid wandering around when you are drunk
Walking while drunk is as risky as driving while drunk. Alcohol reduces your reaction time and ability to make quick decisions. It also affects vision.
Alcoholics generally have blurry vision. All these factors lead to pedestrian accidents. You may walk onto the road without even realizing it. If you are drunk, just call an Uber.
Be visible to drivers
At night, it is hard to notice pedestrians, even with high-beam lights. You can wear reflective clothes to make yourself visible to car drivers. You can also carry a flashlight with you to be visible to drivers.
Yes, drivers should notice pedestrians. But it is our duty to keep ourselves safe. We can’t rely on others for our own safety.
Focus on the road
When walking, focus on the road instead of your smartphone. People tend to scroll their phones while walking. They want to look at the news and stuff more than the car that is coming towards them.
If you want to be safe, keep your smartphone in your pocket and focus on the road. Also, don’t listen to music.
Things to do following an accident
- The first thing you should do following an accident is see a doctor. You need to know the extent of your injuries. Also, medical bills can be used as evidence.
- Consult an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. You need to file a personal injury claim to recover your losses.
- Document all your expenses. You can know your exact financial losses if you document the expenses you incur as a result of the accident.
- Send the demand letter to the defendant’s insurance company and make an official claim.
- Negotiate with the insurance company to obtain fair compensation. The insurance company will try to reduce your claim. Let your lawyer handle them.