It’s clear that pedestrian accidents are extremely dangerous, in large part because pedestrians have no protection. A car may weigh 4,000 pounds, while a person may only weigh 150 lbs. Even if the car isn’t moving very fast when it strikes the person, this sheer difference means that the individual is vastly more likely to be injured.
The statistics back this up. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association pedestrian accidents are becoming more common. In 2010, for example, pedestrian fatalities made up 13% of all traffic fatalities. By 2019, this number had jumped to 17%. This just underscores the high risk and how often these impacts lead to severe injuries and fatalities.
What can you do to help stay safe?
There are a lot of things pedestrians can do to try to stay safe. These include:
- Wearing bright clothing
- Always using crosswalks
- Being extra careful at night
- Staying off your phone
- Not wearing headphones
- Double-checking for red-light runners
- Walking against traffic, rather than with it.
It’s certainly true that all of this can help, but nothing guarantees that you’ll be safe. As a pedestrian, whether you’re walking your dog or going for a run, you’re always at risk. You can do everything perfectly, crossing the road at the right time while wearing bright clothes and staying in the crosswalk. However, you could still be hit by a negligent driver who’s looking at their phone or speeding. If you are injured or if a loved one passes away in such a crash, then you need to know what legal options you have to seek compensation for expenses and damages.