October is Pedestrian Safety Month

Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Observe Pedestrian Safety Month with Safety Reminders

This October, join Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys in celebrating the first annual Pedestrian Safety Month. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a division of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), created Pedestrian Safety Month to increase “awareness about pedestrian safety.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pedestrians face exceptional danger. In fact, the CDC reports that hospital emergency departments treat 137,000 injured pedestrians each year. Additionally, every 88 minutes, an American pedestrian is killed in a traffic accident.

In light of these dangers, the NHTSA’s goal is to remind drivers and walkers that staying safe is a shared responsibility.

At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we understand the dangers that pedestrians face. For that reason, our lawyers are committing to creating a safer world for walkers. As such, pedestrians and drivers of cars, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles, and buses should follow these safety tips.

Tips for Pedestrians

Whenever you and your loved ones are walking, follow these safety precautions

According to the NHTSA, pedestrians should always do the following when walking:

• Whenever possible, use sidewalks. If that is not an option, walk towards oncoming traffic. Stay as close to the edge of the road as possible.
• Always be alert. To avoid distractions, do not use electronic devises like cell phones while walking. Keep your eyes on the road.
• If possible, cross streets using crosswalks and only cross at intersections where drivers expect pedestrians. If there is no crosswalk, cross in a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic long enough for you to safely cross.
• Even if you have a green light, look for cars in both directions.
• Make yourself visible. During the day, wear bright clothes. If you are walking at night, wear something reflective and carry a flashlight.
• Even if you are in plain sight, you should never assume a driver sees you. Always make eye contact with drivers to assess what they are perceiving.
• When walking across a parking lot, driveway, or heavily trafficked area, take extra precautions.

Tips for Drivers

To avoid serious injuries to pedestrians, motor-vehicle operators should remember these driving tips

The NHSTA advises car, bus, truck, SUV, and motorcycle drivers to:

• To avoid any surprises, always keep an eye out for pedestrians.
• When driving through poor weather or nighttime conditions, slow down and be extra careful.
• Even if you do not see any walkers, always slow down when approaching a crosswalk, and yield to pedestrians.
• Always follow posted speed limits.
• When driving in reverse or pulling out of a driveway, be extra vigilant.
• To avoid a drunk or drugged driving accident, never drive while intoxicated.

Were you injured in a pedestrian accident?

If while walking, you were injured by a motor-vehicle accident, you need a lawyer who will fight for you. This Pedestrian Safety Month, take action and get the compensation you are entitled to. The awarding-winning pedestrian accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys won’t stop until you get justice. Don’t wait or suffer any longer. Schedule a free consultation with the nation’s leading car accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today.