What Are Your Legal Options If You Are Injured
Pedestrian accidents are all too common and can result in serious injury or death. Many of these incidents are the result of careless drivers who are not paying attention to their surroundings. While there is no foolproof way to prevent pedestrian accidents from occurring, there are steps you can take to help minimize your risk while on the road.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips for preventing pedestrian accidents as well as what legal options you have if you’re injured in one.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
When it comes to pedestrian accidents, reckless driving, negligent driving, and distracted driving often play a prominent role. Reckless driving involves operating a vehicle in an unsafe manner with willful disregard for other drivers or pedestrians on the road. Negligent driving occurs when a driver fails to take reasonable care while operating a vehicle, leading to an accident that could have been avoided if proper care had been taken. Finally, distracted driving occurs when a driver is not paying full attention to the road due to texting, talking on the phone, eating, or any other type of distraction.
Other common causes of pedestrian accidents include the following:
- Impaired drivers
- Unmarked crosswalks
- Poorly lit roads
- Poorly maintained sidewalks
- Speeding drivers
- Drivers failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians
Preventing Pedestrian Accidents
The best way to prevent pedestrian accidents is by following the rules of the road and always being aware of your surroundings. Always yield the right-of-way when necessary, and be mindful of pedestrians crossing at intersections or crosswalks. Additionally, be sure to stay off your phone while driving and avoid any other distractions that could impede your ability to focus on the road ahead. If you see someone walking in front of your car that appears distracted or unaware of their surroundings, slow down and use caution until they’ve crossed safely out of harm’s way.
As a pedestrian, you can take the following steps to protect yourself from harm:
- Wear bright and reflective clothing
- Cross at designated crosswalks
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing
- Wait for the signal/green light before crossing
- Walk on sidewalks or paths when available
- Avoid using cell phones or listening to music while crossing the street
- Avoid walking in dark or secluded areas
Additionally, both drivers and pedestrians alike should take caution when driving or walking in bad weather and at times when visibility is more challenging. While some accidents can be avoided, placing a priority on safety can go a long way in reducing the instances of pedestrian accidents and injuries.
Legal Options After an Injury
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident due to another person’s negligence or recklessness, then you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages from missed workdays, pain and suffering damages as well as any other economic and non-economic costs associated with your injuries. However, you cannot rely solely on your insurance company to provide this compensation automatically. Instead, you may find that working with an experienced attorney to help you negotiate with insurance companies and medical providers, or even filing a personal injury lawsuit, is not only beneficial to your situation but your best option.
The experienced personal injury lawyers at Golomb Legal, P.C. are available to assist you with filing a claim for compensation against those responsible for causing the accident so that you can get back on track financially after being injured through no fault of your own. We understand how difficult it can be after being injured in an accident – let us fight for your rights while you focus on getting better!