For a personal injury lawyer, nighttime pedestrian accidents are a common occurrence. According to the National Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 70,000 pedestrians in 2015 were injured by moving vehicles, 26% of those accidents occurring between 9pm and midnight. Pedestrians accidents are always unfortunate, but luckily you can avoid them by taking a few precautionary measures.
Below the personal injury lawyers at Tolbert Beadle, LLC discusses the importance of wearing reflective clothing at night, along with a few additional pedestrian safety tips.
Why Should You Wear Reflective Clothing at Night?
Whether you are walking, jogging, or biking at night, wearing reflective clothing is the best way to ensure your safety. Low light conditions already make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians and wearing dark clothing only causes you to blend in with your surroundings, increasing your chances of getting in an accident. Wearing bright, fluorescent clothing with reflective elements ensures you are noticeable to oncoming traffic and greatly reduces your chances of getting hit by traffic.
When Should You Wear Reflective Clothing?
Reflective clothing is not practical for every situation. For example, you probably would not need a reflective shirt to walk a short distance to your car along a well-lit street. Instead, reflective clothing should be worn during extended outdoor activity, such as going on jogs, long walks, or bike rides at night.
Are There Alternatives to Reflective Clothing?
If you do not have reflective clothing, there are a few alternative options, such as bright colored shirts or white clothing, both of which will make you more noticeable to drivers than dark clothes. Although bright or white clothing is generally effective, keep in mind that is not a complete alternative to reflective clothing. For extended outdoor activity at night, like jogging and bike riding, the best way to ensure your safety is by wearing clothing with reflective elements.
Additional Pedestrian Safety Tips
In addition to wearing reflective clothing, there are a number of other safety tips personal injury lawyer recommend for pedestrians at night. First, if possible, try your best to walk in well-lit areas and stay on sidewalks. Second, always obey traffic signals and crosswalks.
Never jaywalk out of convenience. Lastly, consider carrying a flashlight when you are walking or driving to further draw attention to yourself.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are a pedestrian who was recently hit by a car, contact a personal injury lawyer. At Tolbert Beadle, LLC, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers ensures that your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. To set up a consultation, contact Tolbert Beadle, LLC today.
