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How to Avoid Pedestrian Accidents

avoiding pedestrian accident

Pedestrians – those who travel by foot, bicycle, wheelchair, stroller, or similar means – are perhaps the most vulnerable persons traveling along our country’s streets and highways. According to information gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average, 430 people are treated in an emergency department for traffic-related pedestrian injuries each day. A pedestrian dies from injuries sustained in a traffic crash every other hour. Indeed, during 2013, 4,735 pedestrians were killed in traffic incidents.

With statistics that like, accident avoidance is critical for those who traverse our streets and roads. How can pedestrians avoid accidents this summer?

Understand Who is Most at Risk

The CDC has identified several demographics that face the most risk:

  • Due to their size and inexperience with traffic rules, children face a greater risk generally than adults. One in five traffic deaths among children 14 years of age and younger are pedestrian deaths.
  • The elderly are also more susceptible to pedestrian accidents than younger adults.
  • This may surprise some, because so much attention is given to drunk driving, but “walking under the influence” is also a serious concern. One-third of all pedestrians killed in traffic crashes had a blood alcohol concentration greater than the legal limit (0.08 grams per deciliter).

Other Tips for Safety

Here are some other tips:

  • Cross the street, whenever possible, only at a designated crosswalk or intersection.
  • Recognize that some streets and roads are safer than others. Avoid those with speeding cars or narrow spaces.
  • There is safety in numbers. Fewer pedestrian accidents occur when several persons walk together.
  • As you walk, look for eye contact with oncoming drivers. If the driver is distracted, your chances of being hit escalate.
  • Recognize that the more visible you are to oncoming traffic, the less likely you are to be hit. About 70 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occur between 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. If you must walk at night or early morning, carry a flashlight. Wear reflective clothing.
  • If a sidewalk is available, use it. Otherwise, walk on the shoulder of the road and always face oncoming traffic.
  • Avoid distractions – cell phones, electronic tablets, and the like – that can take your attention off the road.
  • Watch for backing vehicles from driveways and alleys and in parking lots.

Victims of Pedestrian Accidents May Be Entitled to Substantial Recovery

Have you or a member of your family suffered a pedestrian accident? If so, you may be entitled to damages for your injuries. You could also recover lost wages and money awards for your pain and suffering. The insurer of the responsible driver is not likely to offer what your claim is worth, however. The insurer has its own best interests in mind, not yours. Most pedestrian victims determine that the retention of a skilled, knowledgeable pedestrian accident lawyer is key to recovery. Know also that there are time limits to claims. If you wait too long to pursue your claim, it can be lost forever.

At Neale & Fhima we are dedicated to providing excellent legal representation to those who have sustained serious injuries. Working in Dana Point, San Diego, and Los Angeles, our firm has a long and successful track record in representing persons who have sustained personal injury, especially as a leading car accident law firm.

When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, the damage and injury the pedestrian sustains is almost always significant. And as such, the pedestrian will need not only compensation for past medical expenses, but for future medical expenses and medical care as well, not to mention compensation for pain and suffering too. At Neale & Fhima, we have helped countless people who have been struck by vehicles, while walking or on bicycle, receive the compensation they deserve and need to get their life back on track. After an accident, the last thing you want to deal with are the burdens of medical bills, and the insecurity of not knowing if you’re going to be fairly compensated for your injuries. Let us lift those burdens off you.

At Neale & Fhima we are experienced, knowledgeable and aggressive litigators. Matt Neale has helped clients recover more than $40 million in damages during his decades as an attorney. He has developed a reputation as a tough negotiator and litigator, especially in providing top-notch lemon law legal advice. He is a well-respected auto accident attorney by judges and other attorneys in the Southern California legal community, and the insurance companies and auto manufacturers know that he isn’t afraid to take his clients’ cases to trial. Aaron Fhima has a long record of success taking on large defense firms and in aggressively pursuing his client’s interest. Aaron doesn’t hesitate to take cases to trial when necessary in order to enforce his clients’ rights and to make sure that they receive just compensation. Request a free consultation by calling us at 1-888-407-2955 or complete our online form.

Attorney Aaron Fhima

Aaron Fhima, California attorneyAaron Fhima is a trial attorney who has secured numerous settlements and verdicts against large corporations and some of the largest auto manufacturers in the world. Representing consumers and injury victims throughout the state of California, Aaron’s practice areas include personal injury, and lemon law litigation. Aaron has a long record of success taking on large defense firms; and he doesn’t hesitate to take cases to trial when necessary to enforce his clients’ rights. [ Attorney Bio ]

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