Pedestrians: How You Can Walk Safely

One of the perks of living in a metropolitan area is being able to eschew cars for walking. Many Los Angelenos enjoy walking to work or restaurants or coffee shops or gyms... It is much easier than dealing with traffic, finding parking, paying for parking, etc.... If you have the opportunity to live in an area of high walkability, it is important to consider safety precautions before you head out. Unfortunately, serious injuries can happen if you’re involved in a pedestrian accident. Read on to learn more about how you can protect yourself while enjoying your daily life.

Use Crosswalks

This may seem obvious, but we cannot stress how often pedestrian accidents occur when people decide to skip the crosswalk and jaywalk instead. Drivers are generally not expecting to see pedestrians pop out in the middle of a street, especially one with traffic. In the instance that there aren’t any crosswalks for you to use, use common sense when you cross the street and pay attention to the traffic around you.

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Pay Attention to Your Surroundings

Too many pedestrians have their faces in their smartphones and are not paying attention to their surroundings. This means that accidents that potentially could have been avoided if the walker was listening or watching where he or she was walking. This is not to say that pedestrian accidents are the fault of the pedestrian -- that is generally not the case.  As a pedestrian, you have minimal physical protection from a car if it hits you. You could face a long road to recovery from serious injuries. This is why we stress always paying attention to your surroundings. This won’t totally eliminate the risk of pedestrian accidents, but it can help you minimize the likelihood that it happens to you.

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Walking at Night?

Wear Reflective Clothing

If you’re walking at night, wear reflective clothing or carry a flashlight. You can buy fashionable reflective wear on sites like Amazon! This type of clothing can help drivers see you. Also, be sure that you walk on sidewalks if they’re available to you.

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Were Your Hurt in a Pedestrian Accident?

If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident, you may have the right to receive compensation for your injuries. Schedule a consultation with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney who is experienced in pedestrian accidents. For a free, no obligation consultation about your legal rights and potential for financial recovery, contact the injury attorneys at Ghozland Law Firm today.