Public roads weren’t all designed with pedestrians in mind. Yet, many civilians frequent our streets daily and put their lives at risk. Fatalities among pedestrians have increased over the last few years. Therefore, all road users need to make sure they obey the rules and know what to do when an accident occurs.
Contributing Factors to Pedestrian Fatalities
Alcohol
Many motor vehicle accidents are mostly caused by someone driving under the influence of alcohol. It’s proven that being intoxicated can impair your judgment and slow down your reflex action. You can find this same behavior in inebriated pedestrians. So, caution should be exercised when walking about after having one too many.
Night Time Outings
Most pedestrian fatalities occur at night. You can attribute many of these incidents to low street lighting. However, when walking at night, you should ensure that you’re visible to drivers by not wearing dark color clothing and using reflective gear if possible.
The Rules of the Road
You may find that some incidents occur when pedestrians and motorists don’t follow the road rules. Jaywalking is a popular pedestrian offense. Many people wanting to cross the road on foot would rather step out where they shouldn’t than walk a few hundred meters to a crosswalk.
There’s a popular misconception that pedestrians always have the right of way on the road. It’s only applicable at a crosswalk or an intersection and when obeying traffic signals. Alternatively, crossing a road should only take place when it’s safe to do so.
Where available, stick to footpaths or sidewalks and avoid busy roads. On a street where this isn’t an option, walk facing oncoming traffic. This is also applicable to runners who don’t have dedicated trails.
A Few Things to Consider If Injured as a Pedestrian
You may wonder what your legal right, as a pedestrian, would be if you were in an accident. Even though you find yourself obeying the rules of the road and erring on the side of caution, a reckless driver can still cause you harm.
Legal Assistance
Catastrophic injuries might lead to you not being able to work or care for your family. There are personal injury lawyers who can assist you in recovering costs incurred, as mentioned by https://www.lalawyers.com/. You might even have the option of seeking more compensation from those involved.
Financial Implications
Being without work due to injury can impact your finances and add to the stress one has about paying bills. One thing that can be beneficial is Tax Relief, which can alleviate the pressure of accumulating debt. Having a suitable insurance cover could also come in handy during this period.
A Final Word
There’s much more information about road safety for pedestrians, but the critical point is to obey the rules as set out in the Traffic Law. These laws may vary from state to state, but for the most part, they are similar.
Remember to be cautious when you’ve had too much to drink. Your judgment could be impaired and cause more harm to yourself. When walking or running at night, remain visible to motorists and always use footpaths if possible.
Lastly, legal assistance is available if you’re injured. This support can help you overcome some of the challenges you may face.