Watch Your Step! What You Should Know as a Pedestrian

If you choose to walk in public settings instead of driving or riding in a vehicle, you're entitled to certain rights that can help protect your safety. By learning more about your rights and responsibilities as a pedestrian, you may avoid accidents that could result in serious personal injuries. 

Understand When You Do and Don’t Have the Right-of-way

Pedestrians usually have the right of way at all crosswalks, and this includes crosswalks with or without crossing signals. If you need to cross at an intersection with or without a traffic light, drivers should also yield to you. However, you must allow enough time for a driver to yield to you safely before you try to cross the street. You also have the right of way if you're walking through a parking lot.

If you need to cross a road that doesn't have any crosswalks or intersections near your crossing point, you must yield to vehicles. You might also face a penalty for jaywalking if you cross a road without a crosswalk or intersection. If you suddenly step off of a sidewalk or walk onto a road without warning and get struck by a vehicle or cause a traffic accident, you could be held liable. 

Use Sidewalks Whenever Possible

You must always walk on sidewalks whenever they're available. If you need to walk on a road that doesn't have a sidewalk or only has a shoulder, you should stay as far to the left and away from passing vehicles as you can while facing oncoming traffic.

Understand Your Rights to Compensation

As a pedestrian, you can possibly sue for damages if a business or government entity was negligent. If you get injured on a sidewalk in front of a business, the business may be required to pay for injuries that you sustained because of a poorly maintained walkway. Government entities are also responsible for sidewalk upkeep and may be held liable for pedestrian injuries.

Make Yourself as Visible as Possible

One of the best ways to keep a vehicle from hitting you is by making yourself as visible as possible to drivers. Most drivers will be able to see you easily during the day, but nighttime visibility could be more challenging. If you're walking at night, avoid wearing dark clothes and instead wear brighter-colored clothes or reflective gear. Using a flashlight can also make you more visible.

Understand That Drivers Still Might Not See You

As much as you try to make yourself visible to drivers, you shouldn't assume that motorists will see you even if you think that you're clearly visible. Drivers are often distracted when they're texting, listening to music, or talking to passengers and could strike you when you're trying to cross. Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs can also make drivers visually impaired and less likely to see you.

Take Special Precautions at Railroad Tracks

If you are at a railroad crossing or walk beside railroad tracks, you should be keenly aware of your surroundings and take additional precautions. If a train is passing, stand at least 10 feet back from the track to avoid getting hit by overhanging train cars. When crossing, never stop on the track even if you can't see or hear a train in the distance.

Walking outside can definitely be good for you, but you should also be aware of some of the risks you might face as a pedestrian. If you happened to get injured as a pedestrian, a personal injury lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against any person, business, or government entity that was responsible for your misfortune. For legal assistance, contact Frank Penney Injury Lawyers today.