Pedestrian accidents can be devastating for victims and their families. A total of 6,205 pedestrians died in pedestrian accidents during 2019. This translates into a pedestrian being killed in a fatal pedestrian accident every 85 minutes. Because of how serious pedestrian accidents can be, pedestrian accident victims should be familiar with personal injury legal protections.
Driver safety tips to help keep pedestrians safe
There are several measures drivers can take to help keep pedestrians safe including:
- Drivers should look out for pedestrians everywhere and at all times.
- Drivers should use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions such as in bad weather or nighttime driving conditions.
- Drivers should slow down and be prepared to stop when entering a crosswalk or turning.
- Drivers should yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from crosswalks. This gives other drivers the opportunity to see pedestrians so they can safely stop for them too.
- Drivers should never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be pedestrians crossing that the driver cannot see.
- Drivers should never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Drivers should follow the speed limit.
- Drivers should follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present and may be crossing the roadway.
- Drivers should be extra careful when backing up for pedestrians that may cross into their path.
It is important for drivers to keep in mind that pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility. When a pedestrian has been injured by a careless driver who failed to follow safety precautions, a personal injury claim for damages may be able to help them with their damages while they recover.