Even if you spend most your time traveling via car, it doesn’t mean you’re never considered a pedestrian.
As a pedestrian, there are steps you need to take in order to remain safe. If you don’t, you could find yourself injured in an accident with a motor vehicle.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4,700 people were killed in traffic deaths in 2013 alone. Along with this, approximately 156,000 were treated for nonfatal injuries.
While there is no way to guarantee that you won’t be injured in a pedestrian accident, there are some basic steps you can take to prevent trouble:
— Only cross the street at a designated intersection or crosswalk.
— Increase your visibility when walking or running at night, such as by wearing reflective clothing.
— Stay on the sidewalk when possible, as this gives you more room between yourself and the vehicles on the road.
— Avoid distractions that could take your eyes off what’s going on around you.
As you can see, these steps are easy to follow. If you make a few basic changes, you’re helping yourself avoid trouble as a pedestrian.
In the event that you do find yourself injured in a pedestrian-vehicle accident, don’t wait to contact the police and receive medical treatment.
Once you begin to recover, you can then learn more about the accident including who was at fault. This will point you towards learning more about your legal rights, such as your ability to receive compensation from the person who caused the accident and your injuries.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Walk This Way! Taking Steps for Pedestrian Safety,” accessed Dec. 09, 2016
