The following is a guest blog courtesy of Ledger & Associates in California
More and more pedestrians are involved in auto-related collisions every year. The injuries that are received from these types of accidents are usually serious and in many cases even fatal. While pedestrians are naturally careful in following all the traffic safety rules, unfortunately there still remains a number of cases where collisions happen because of the reckless nature of the driver involved.
Protecting yourself from the dangers of reckless drivers is important, and remaining proactive is the best way to ensure that you or a loved one wouldn’t have to deal with an auto-related pedestrian injury. Remember to always
- Use the sidewalk
- Only cross at designated crosswalks
- Look before crossing, even if you have the right of way
- Walk facing oncoming traffic
- Wear clothes that are visible, especially if walking at night
- Cross the street without distractions like your iPod or cell phone
Unfortunately, the number of auto accidents where pedestrians have been injured or killed due to factors such as speed, impairment due to a controlled substance, and blatant disregard for the laws continue to increase.
Often municipalities do not take proactive measures in ensuring that their roadways are designed with both safety and effective traffic flow in mind. So if you have noticed a particular area or intersection in your city that is becoming more hazardous to pedestrians, there are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community as a whole. You can petition your local government, make calls to your local representatives in Congress, or get the advice of a legal professional on how to make those in power take notice of your community’s situation.
If you have suffered an injury or a loved one has been killed as a result of an auto-related collision as a pedestrian in California, then you need to consult with a California Personal Injury Wrongful Death Law Firm.