Car accidents involving pedestrians can be utterly devastating, and unfortunately, they’re not uncommon. According to the CDC, more than 4,700 pedestrians were killed in 2013, and numbers have risen in following years. One of the easiest ways to stay safe is to use the sidewalk. But what do you do if there’s no sidewalk to be found? At Tolbert Beadle, LLC, we want our clients to stay safe, which is why our pedestrian injury lawyer compiled this list of safety tips for pedestrians walking on roads with no sidewalks.
Be Visible to Avoid Needing a Pedestrian Injury Lawyer.
Many individuals assume that staying visible is something you only need to do at night, but staying visible during the day is just as important. This is especially true when weather conditions are poor and fog or rain make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians on the side of the street. Our pedestrian injury lawyer at Tolbert Beadle sees a lot of injuries happening at night, but fog and rain can affect vision just as much as the dark. Because of this, whenever possible, wear bright colors, reflective tape, and make eye contact with drivers when possible.
If crossing a street, look to make sure that the road is clear, wait for oncoming traffic to stop, and make eye contact with the driver allowing you to cross. If you see him/her, and he/she sees you, then you have a better chance at getting safely from one side to the other. If you miss a driver’s eye, you may want to wait for them to pass fully before crossing.
Walk While Facing Traffic.
While you’re near a road, never walk with your back to traffic, even if your destination is on that side of the road. It’s important to walk facing traffic so that you can see what’s coming in your direction and how close to the curb the oncoming traffic is. You can wave or make eye contact if necessary.
Remember that the back of your head is covered with hair, a hat, or other blockers, which may keep a driver from distinguishing that you are, in fact, a person on the side of the road.
Walking while facing traffic will also put your mind at ease when you can see the vehicle coming before it whizzes by you in a cloud of dust. If you are visible and face traffic as you walk, you greatly reduce the likelihood of needing a pedestrian injury lawyer.
Stay Single File.
If you’re walking with a partner, remember to always stay single file when walking on the road. Even if the street seems clear, be sure that you are as far to the side as possible and walk in a line rather than side by side. It’s definitely tempting to walk side by side to talk easier or hold hands if you’re with a significant other. However, walking single file is an easy way to reduce space on the road.
While drivers should give you plenty of clearance and respect your rights on the road, not all drivers follow the rules. To avoid the need for a pedestrian injury lawyer, keep your distance, and stay alert at all times.
Contact Tolbert Beadle Today
For more information on our pedestrian injury lawyer services, contact Tolbert Beadle, LLC, today.
