According to a report from the Governors Highway Safety Association, close to 6,000 pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2017. This saddening statistic underlines the need for citizens to exercise extreme caution when walking close to vehicles and crossing the street.
While traveling on foot is potentially dangerous all year round, it’s particularly risky during the autumn when daylight is limited and precipitation is a common occurrence. In an effort to help you and your loved ones walk without incident this season, our Bucks County personal injury attorney is here to offer some essential pedestrian safety tips:
- Pay attention, even in the crosswalk – It should go without saying that using crosswalks is the safest way to cross the street. However, you shouldn’t assume that just because you’re in a crosswalk means you’re not at risk of being struck by a car. Vehicles have blind spots, and drivers may not be able to see you if the lighting is dim, the weather is inclement or they simply aren’t looking out for pedestrians, so you should always be on high alert and walk defensively when crossing.
- Know how to safely navigate areas without designated pedestrian paths – Unfortunately, crosswalks and sidewalks aren’t universally available as of yet. If you encounter a situation in which you have no choice but to walk on the street, you should always travel in the opposite direction of traffic so that oncoming motorists can see you (and you can see them). Furthermore, if you need to get to the other side of the street and there is no marked crosswalk, our personal injury attorney in Bucks County recommends finding the most well-lit spot possible to do so.
- Don’t walk and text – When navigating busy intersections, your mind needs to be completely focused on looking for cars and making sure it’s safe to cross the road. Thus, this definitely isn’t a good time to be looking at your cell phone. If you need to send a text, do so from the safety of the sidewalk, NOT while you’re walking in the street.
- Make yourself easy to spot – As a pedestrian, you should take steps to make yourself as visible as possible to drivers, especially when walking at dawn, dusk or nighttime. To do so, our Bucks County personal injury lawyer suggests wearing brightly colored, reflective clothing and traveling in groups whenever possible.
Whenever you travel by foot this autumn, don’t forget to practice these smart tips to minimize your risk of becoming a pedestrian injury statistic.
Our Bucks County Personal Injury Attorney Stands Up for Accident Victims’ Rights
With a long-standing reputation for being a personal injury attorney Bucks County residents can rely on, Gary Heslin of the Heslin Law Firm is well versed in defending the rights of injured pedestrians and their families. In the unfortunate event that you or a family member gets hit by a motor vehicle while walking, Mr. Heslin will be here to offer expert legal assistance.
When you call on him to serve as your personal injury attorney in Bucks County, Mr. Heslin will analyze your case to determine whether driver negligence contributed to the accident and, if so, how much compensation you are owed. Then, he will work closely with your family to help you recover any damages to which you are entitled.
If you’d like to discuss your case with a highly qualified Bucks County personal injury lawyer, call the Heslin Law Firm at (215) 332-0300 and schedule a free consultation with Mr. Heslin. And for more helpful seasonal tips, look over our checklist of essential car maintenance steps for autumn. If you ever find yourself in need of legal guidance – this fall or any other time – please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.