How Pedestrians Can Make Walking Safer

If you are injured while walking down a sidewalk in the State of Washington because another person was negligent, you should schedule a consultation right away. Your consultation will help determine how to proceed after an injury. Call us today at 360-209-3360 to speak about your right to monetary compensation with an Olympia pedestrian accident lawyer at Capital Injury Law. We know this is a difficult time in your life and we are here to support you through it.

Have You Been Injured While Walking?

The Governors Highway Safety Association reports that in the year 2020, more than six thousand pedestrians died in the United States of America. Thousands of others were injured in similar accidents. Something else to consider is that not every accident that involves a pedestrian is an auto, motorcycle, or truck accident. There are unique situations that can pertain to pedestrians as well.

What Hazards Can Pedestrians Face?

In the 2020s, pedestrians are also at risk for other dangers. Things to consider are bicycles and e-bikes, skateboards of all kinds, roller skaters, and an assortment of motorized scooters. In cities like Olympia, Tacoma, or Seattle, the risk of injury on a crowded sidewalk may come from any direction or source.

Pedestrians don’t wear safety equipment, so any injuries they sustain may be serious or even catastrophic. Spinal cord injuries, head and brain injuries, and injuries that require amputation are far too often the end result of a pedestrian accident.

Usually, when someone who’s walking is injured while walking by a driver, the driver is considered at-fault. However, a pedestrian who jaywalks or crosses anywhere other than a crosswalk should not expect motorists to stop. This is an unfortunate situation when injured while walking – it’s a great idea to avoid tragedies and just use a cross walk to avoid being injured while walking.

Tips to Avoid Being Injured While Walking

Everyone at some time or another is a pedestrian, which means that anyone could be injured while walking in a pedestrian accident. On crowded sidewalks in larger cities, you must use caution. Below are some safety suggestions for walking in the State of Washington:

1. Walk on the sidewalks and adhere to all of the traffic rules, signs, and signals.
2. Where there’s no sidewalk, face the traffic and walk as far from it as you can.
3. Don’t let a phone or any other device distract you.
4. Cross at intersections or crosswalks where possible.
5. If you walk after dark, bring a flashlight and wear bright colors.
6. Don’t use drugs or alcohol before walking anywhere there may be traffic.

If there’s no intersection or crosswalk, do not cross a street until you can find a brightly-lit location that provides a clear look at the traffic, and never assume that a driver can see you.

If You’ve Been Injured, Take These Steps

If you’re injured as a pedestrian by a negligent motorist, summon medical help and the police. If you take legal action to recover compensation, you’ll need a medical exam to document your injury. Also, if the officers write one, you should obtain a hard copy of their accident report.

After you’ve been seen by a medical provider, schedule a consultation with an Olympia pedestrian accident lawyer at Capital Injury Law. Your first meeting with an attorney is offered without obligation or cost.

Your lawyer will help you make an informed decision about taking legal action. Pedestrians injured because of negligence owe no lawyer’s fee to Capital Injury Law unless and until we recover your compensation with an out-of-court settlement or a jury verdict.

In Lacey, Olympia, or anywhere in the State of Washington, if you are injured because someone else was negligent, contact Capital Injury Law at 360-209-3360 now to learn more about your legal rights or to begin the personal injury claim process.