Maryland Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Pedestrian Safety Tips

Pedestrian injuries can be life-altering and sometimes even fatal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that for every eight minutes, a pedestrian in America is injured. Every two hours, a pedestrian is killed. In 2008, 69,000 pedestrians were injured and 4,378 were killed. Children under 16 years of age made up 22 percent of all pedestrians injured.

The Causes

• Alcohol: Almost half of all pedestrian fatalities in 2008 were caused by drunk drivers. If someone driving under the influence has injured you, you have the right to hold him or her accountable for the collision. A Maryland pedestrian injury lawyer can help you receive compensation if your pedestrian serious injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence.
• Cell phones and other forms of distracted driving: This goes for the drivers and the pedestrians. Studies have shown that the number of pedestrians injured while using the cell phone doubled from 2006 to 2007 and again in 2008. Talking and texting can be very distracting. When a driver is talking on the cell phone without a hands-free device or is texting while driving, he or she is driving distracted. This may make the driver liable for the crash. A personal injury lawyer can review cell phone records to determine exactly what the driver was doing at the time of the accident.
• Negligent drivers: Some drivers may miss a stop sign, forget to look before entering traffic, or run a red light. Drivers not exercising caution are a hazard to everyone around them.

Tips to Prevent Pedestrian Accidents

• Cross the street at intersections and crosswalks only: Jaywalking or crossing the street where a driver may not be expecting pedestrians can be dangerous.
• Get off the cell phone: While you can’t control how distracted car drivers may be, you can control how focused you are.
• Use the sidewalk: The sidewalk is generally much safer than walking on the edge of a street. Try to avoid streets with no sidewalks. Be sure to look out for vehicles backing out of driveways.
• Walk facing traffic: If you must walk on a road with no sidewalk, walk while facing traffic. You should be able to see traffic and let them see you.
• Keep children close: Children may not understand the dangers of crossing the street. Take the time to teach them safety rules. If you have young children, watch them and hold their hand all the time.
• Look left, right, left again: We all learned this in elementary school, but it still applies. Many of us tend to forget these basic safety rules as we grow older.
• Assume the driver doesn’t see you: When you are crossing the street, make sure the drivers see you. Also, do not assume a vehicle will stop for a stop sign. It’s always advisable to be patient and make sure the car comes to a complete stop and sees you before stepping in front of the vehicle.