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Preventing Pedestrian Accidents in North Texas
What You Need to Know:
- Increase Awareness and Adherence to Safety Practices: Both pedestrians and drivers must proactively adopt safety measures to prevent accidents.
- Understand and Address Common Causes of Accidents: Pedestrian accidents often result from a combination of factors, including driver negligence, such as distractions or speeding, and pedestrian behavior, like failing to use designated crossing areas.
- Seek Professional Help If Involved in an Accident: If you or a loved one is injured in a pedestrian accident, it's crucial to seek medical attention immediately and consult with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.
Pedestrian safety is a growing concern in North Texas. With a significant increase in pedestrian traffic, especially in high-density areas and near schools, the risk of pedestrian accidents has unfortunately risen. These incidents not only result in serious injuries but also profoundly impact families and communities.
As personal injury attorneys, we’ve seen the devastation that a pedestrian accident can have on an injury victim. Our goal is to foster a safer environment for everyone. Whether you’re a driver looking to ensure you’re doing your part to keep pedestrians safe or a walker seeking advice on navigating busy streets more securely, we aim to provide practical tips and strategies for preventing pedestrian accidents.
Understanding and addressing the factors contributing to pedestrian accidents is crucial for enhancing public safety and preventing tragedies. We can work together to make North Texas streets safer for all by raising awareness and encouraging responsible behavior. Let’s explore how simple changes and increased vigilance can significantly prevent pedestrian accidents and protect our communities.
The Reality of Pedestrian Accidents: Understanding the Problem
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents in North Texas have become alarmingly common. Both drivers and pedestrians must be proactive in adopting safety measures that can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, pedestrian accidents account for 1 in 6 traffic fatalities in Texas.
Pedestrian accidents often occur due to driver negligence, infrastructure issues, and pedestrian behavior. Distractions, speeding, and impaired driving are among the leading causes of these accidents. Poorly marked crosswalks and inadequate street lighting can exacerbate the risks.
According to TxDOT, the leading causes of pedestrian accidents are:
- Pedestrians failing to yield the right-of-way to vehicles.
- Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
- Driver inattention.
- Speeding.
It’s essential to focus on actionable safety tips that pedestrians and drivers can adopt to prevent pedestrian accidents. By implementing these safety measures, we can significantly reduce the risk of incidents and ensure our streets are safer.
Smart Walking: Safety Tips for Pedestrians
- Follow traffic laws, signs, and signals.
As a pedestrian, it is essential to follow all traffic laws to ensure your safety. Traffic signals alert drivers that you are crossing and protect your right to cross as a pedestrian. When crossing the street, make sure to do so when a green or walk signal is shown. If the signal shows do-not-walk, wait, or a red signal, do not cross. There may be a driver approaching that you do not see.
- Cross the street using the crosswalk.
Crosswalks and intersections are designated places for pedestrians to cross. Crossing at designated areas will protect you most from a pedestrian accident. If you must cross the street without an intersection or crosswalk, locate a well-lit area where you can see traffic coming from both sides. Watch carefully until there is a substantial enough gap in traffic for you to get to the other side safely. When you are not crossing at a crosswalk or intersection with a protected signal, you do not have the right of way as a pedestrian. Therefore, do not dart in front of cars or expect them to stop for you when crossing at an unprotected area.
- Walk on the sidewalk.
The law requires that pedestrians walk on the sidewalk when available. However, pedestrians may walk on the road if there is no sidewalk or the sidewalk is blocked. When walking on the street, do so on the left shoulder, facing oncoming traffic.
- Look both ways before crossing the street.
Never assume that a driver can see you, so ensure no vehicles are coming before you cross. When crossing with a protected signal, ensure that oncoming traffic has stopped and that no cars are turning onto the road. If you must cross the street without a protected signal, carefully look both ways before crossing. When you don’t have a protected signal, automobiles have the right of way. Look for cars turning, entering, exiting driveways, or backing up. Make sure you have plenty of time to cross before entering the roadway, and continue looking in both directions as you cross.
- Stay alert.
Avoid drinking or using drugs when you’re walking. These substances impair your ability to see and react quickly, hindering your ability to protect yourself on the road. Additionally, avoid using your phone or wearing headphones. These can also distract you from the road and make you more susceptible to getting hurt in a pedestrian accident.
- Make sure drivers see you.
Most pedestrian accidents occur at night when it is dark. When walking during the day, wear bright colors. Wear reflective clothing at night and carry a flashlight so drivers can see you. Also, make eye contact with drivers to ensure they have seen you.
The emphasis is on visibility and vigilance for pedestrians. Simple actions like wearing bright or reflective clothing, staying alert, and using designated crosswalks can make a significant difference in avoiding accidents.
Staying Vigilant: Safety Tips for Drivers
- Look for pedestrians everywhere and at all times.
Pedestrians do not always follow traffic laws and signals. Unfortunately, they will sometimes jaywalk or cross the street when there is a do-not-cross sign. It’s important always to stay alert for pedestrians so that you can quickly take action to avoid one if necessary.
- Be extra vigilant around crosswalks.
When approaching a crosswalk, slow down and prepare to stop. Make sure to yield to pedestrians crossing. You are also required to yield to pedestrians if you are turning. Also, be sure to stop well before the crosswalk to give other cars the ability to see crossing pedestrians. Additionally, never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk, as pedestrians could be crossing.
- Stay alert in parking lots.
Visibility is often limited by the cars around us in a parking lot. When parking, make sure to check all blind spots and mirrors before turning or parking. When backing out, make sure the way is clear before you move and drive slowly.
- Follow the speed limit.
Speeding is a common cause of pedestrian accidents. When traveling at higher speeds, stopping the vehicle takes longer. If you are speeding, you likely will not have the time to stop if you see a pedestrian crossing at the last minute. Take extra precautions to slow down and follow the speed limit in areas with more foot traffic, such as schools, shopping centers, and neighborhoods. Additionally, it would be best to slow down according to weather conditions, as your visibility may be hindered.
- Don’t drive under the influence.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not only illegal, but these substances can cloud your judgment and slow down your reaction time. When driving under the influence, seeing pedestrians and driving accordingly is much more difficult, leading to pedestrian accidents.
- Don’t drive distracted.
Avoid eating, using your cell phone, listening to loud music, or engaging in other distracting driving activities. Distracted driving is a leading cause of auto accidents and pedestrian accidents. You must stay vigilant and alert to ensure you see any pedestrians around while driving.
Drivers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of everyone on the road. Their actions and decisions can significantly impact pedestrian safety. By following these tips, drivers can help create a safer environment for pedestrians, especially in areas where foot traffic is heavy.
Protecting Young Walkers: How to Prevent Pedestrian Accidents Involving Children
With the expansion of North Texas, more families are moving to the area. As a result, more traffic on the roads makes it less safe for children.
It’s important to know about road safety at an early age. Teaching your child to look both ways before crossing the street and to walk on the opposite side of the road from oncoming traffic will help them avoid pedestrian accidents. Also, learning to never dart out into the road and to make eye contact with drivers before crossing will help your child stay protected.
Additionally, children under ten struggle to judge speed and distance. Therefore, it’s important to help your child cross the street safely until they are old enough to make safe decisions.
Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident: What You Need to Know
If you’re injured in a pedestrian accident, knowing what steps to take is important. You should, first and foremost, seek medical care immediately if you’ve been hit by a vehicle in a pedestrian accident. However, you should file a report with the authorities and collect evidence if you can. Take pictures of the scene and get contact information from witnesses. Also, be sure to exchange insurance information with the at-fault.
Secondly, you should contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney. A pedestrian accident attorney can help you file your claim, gather evidence, speak to witnesses, and connect you with healthcare providers. They know the legal landscape well and can help prevent you from making mistakes that will hurt your claim. Hiring a pedestrian accident attorney can help you get the healing and guide you through the personal injury process.
Watch our video to see what damages you could recover in a pedestrian accident claim.
Call Snellings Law If You’ve Been Injured in a Pedestrian Acciden
It’s important to recognize that road safety is the responsibility of both pedestrians and drivers. By implementing the safety tips outlined in this blog, we can work together to create a safer environment for everyone who uses our streets.
At Snellings Law, we understand that accidents can profoundly affect individuals and families. If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, knowledgeable legal support is essential to navigate the complexities of your case. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing compassionate assistance and advocating for your rights to ensure you receive the care and compensation you deserve.
Don’t face the aftermath of a pedestrian accident alone. Contact us today at (214) 387-0387 to schedule a free strategy session with one of our skilled pedestrian accident attorneys. Let us help you take the first step towards recovery and justice. Together, we can make a difference in preventing pedestrian accidents and fostering safer communities in North Texas.
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