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October is a time for Halloween, but itโs also notably National Pedestrian Safety Month. Therefore, itโs a good time for anyone trick-or-treating and others to review and observe the rules of traveling by foot. If you are in a pedestrian accident, always speak with an Austin pedestrian accident lawyer who can help.
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The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) released some revealing facts for 2022. Below are some of the pedestrian statistics featured in a recent NTSA report.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, most pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas, away from intersections, where traffic goes at a higher rate of speed. A large number of the fatalities involve drugs and alcohol.
A pedestrian is anyone who travels by foot or uses a wheelchair. While you might think of people who ride bicycles as pedestrians, they still must obey many of the rules of travel that motorists follow. Therefore, you need to stay well-versed in keeping safe if you walk a good deal.
This means you need to know the rules as they pertain to you.
Needless to say, you need to practice safety when walking. Even though the activity is good for your health, you still have to be aware of your surroundings and yield the right-of-way. This means:
You should always take care when crossing at crosswalks, as motorists may turn right or left or go straight without seeing you until itโs too late. Therefore, always follow the signals at the intersection and look around you before you cross.
This means you need to yield to traffic. Donโt play chicken or jaywalk. Again, follow the rules.
For example, at crosswalk signals, you can walk when seeing the walking symbol. However, if a signal is flashing โDonโ Walk,โ stop and donโt go further. If youโre already in the crosswalk, quickly complete the crossing.
Should you see a solid โDonโt Walkโ or a red hand, you cannot enter the crosswalk. If there is no light, drivers should stop for you, but you should still use caution.
Also, yield to emergency vehicles that are sounding a siren or flashing lights. At railroad crossings, never go around lowered gates.
Again, always use the sidewalk if one is available. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the shoulder as far as you can from the road. Walk facing traffic if you cannot walk on the shoulder. No one should walk along a highway unless they are experiencing an emergency.
The main things to remember are to watch for traffic, yield to traffic and donโt take any chances. Always look behind you when you cross at crosswalks and side streets.
If youโve been injured as a pedestrian in a vehicle, speak to a lawyer about your claim if the other party was at fault. Consulting with an attorney is always a good idea, as you may be entitled to compensation to pay for your injury and suffering. In Austin, Texas, contact TK Injury Lawyers at 512-910-2000 about your claim no.
Trent Kelly obtained his law degree from the University of Arkansas in 2007. He is licensed to practice law in Texas and regularly assists clients with their legal matters. Trentโs practice is primarily focused on personal injury matters โ particularly those involving motor vehicles (such as cars, commercial trucks, 18-wheelers, and motorcycles) and wrongful death โ but he also handles various business litigation matters as well. Click here to take a look at some complex cases Trent has resolved.
Years of experience: +15 years
Location: Austin, TX
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Trent Kelly, who has more than 15 years of legal experience as a practicing personal injury trial attorney.
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