The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintain data on pedestrian accidents and fatalities throughout the United States. For example, the CDC reported in 2017, nearly 6,000 pedestrians died from collisions with motor vehicles. Many more injuries were reported during that year, bringing to total number of accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles into the tens of thousands.
A Southern California pedestrian of any age can be harmed in an auto-pedestrian accident, but older individuals and children make up a large portion of the accident victim profile. This informational post provides readers with important suggestions for staying safe while traveling through intersections and roadways where pedestrians and vehicles meet. When accidents do happen, however, individuals who are affected and injured may have options under the law to seek compensation for the recovery of their losses.
Safe vehicle operation to avoid auto-pedestrian accidents
Avoiding collisions with walkers and other pedestrians often depends on a driver’s ability to follow the rules of the road. When a driver follows traffic laws and operates their vehicle with care, they can prepare themselves for encounters with pedestrians and give those pedestrians opportunities to react appropriately. Safe operation can include:
- Driving the speed limit
- Using turn signals
- Permitting pedestrians the right of way
- Avoiding drunk driving
Safety practices for pedestrians to avoid auto-pedestrian accidents
There are many safety practices that pedestrians can adopt to stay safe and out of the paths of moving vehicles. Like cars, pedestrians must follow traffic and roadway laws so that drivers can predict how and where they will encounter individuals on foot. Intoxicated drivers are a hazard to themselves and drivers when they fail to behave predictably, and pedestrians who are visible through their apparel and positioning at intersections or roadways may stand out and be easier to see by drivers.
Common sense practices and adherence to laws governing driving and safety can keep drivers and pedestrians safe. However, not all individuals are willing to engage in these straightforward steps. Auto-pedestrian accidents can result is serious injuries and deaths, and those who suffer losses can often pursue their damages and seek to recover their accident-related costs.