As summer approaches, watch out for pedestrians on the roads.
Throughout California and there are always many pedestrians on our streets, roads, and paths.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2013 alone, more than 4,500 pedestrians were killed in collisions with cars, trucks and SUVs across the United States. That works out to one person every two hours. In that same year, more than 150,00 people were treated for injuries related to accidents between pedestrians and cars. Pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed someone in a car.
These numbers are scary, and they highlight an important fact: we all need to be better when it comes to pedestrian safety. This is particularly true when it comes to our most vulnerable members of society. The CDC numbers show that nearly 20 percent of all pedestrian fatalities in 2013 were individuals over age 64, and another 20 percent were children under age 14. Most pedestrian accidents happen at night, in cities, and in places where there are no crosswalks.
It is the drivers’ responsibility to be aware of pedestrians on the roads, whether they are crossing the road, walking on the side of the road, or stepping out between cars. While we can hope that pedestrians will make safe choices, there are many situations where they won’t. That makes it all the more important for drivers to be cautious.
So what can we do to reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents? First and foremost, we should slow down, particularly in residential areas and near playgrounds and schools. We should use extreme caution anywhere that people might typically walk, such as near exercise trails, shopping districts, or near housing developments or apartment buildings. Always drive the speed limit, avoid distracted driving, and pay full attention to the road around you.
Of course, pedestrians should also be paying attention to the road — but we know that the person who will physically suffer the most in a collision between a car and a walker is the pedestrian. That is why we encourage you to take these steps to reduce the risk of hitting a walker, jogger, or any other pedestrian when you are driving.
At the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, our attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of all types of accidents recover for their losses. As pedestrian accident attorneys, we will work hard to make sure you get the money you deserve to move forward with your life. Contact us today at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com to schedule a free initial consultation. We never charge a fee unless we get money for you!
