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Pedestrian accidents are becoming increasingly common, particularly with the advent of smartphones, which have drastically increased the number of distracted drivers on the road. In fact, in 2019 alone, over 6,000 people were killed in pedestrian accidents. Although some accidents are unavoidable, there are specific steps you can take to decrease your odds of being involved in a pedestrian accident in New York. In this article, we provide some tips to prevent pedestrian accidents.
Walk on the Sidewalk
As a pedestrian, the safest place is on the sidewalk. However, even while on the sidewalk, it’s important to remain alert and cognizant of traffic. If walking on the road is unavoidable, always face traffic on the outermost edge of the road and stay as far away from passing vehicles as possible.
Maintain Situational Awareness
As a pedestrian in New York, especially New York City, it’s important always to maintain situational awareness. Therefore, while walking near traffic, always remain aware of what’s going on around you, and don’t allow distractions, such as smartphones or headphones, to get you into a dangerous situation.
Wear Visible Clothing
As a pedestrian, you must ensure that drivers can see you. One way to do this is to wear clothing that drivers can easily spot. During the day, bright colors make you more visible to drivers. However, At night, you should wear reflective clothing and a flashlight to make yourself more visible.
Make Sure Drivers See You
Even if you are in a visible location and wearing appropriate clothing, never assume drivers can see you. With distractions everywhere, it’s easy for drivers to miss you even when you are dressed appropriately. Therefore, before you cross in front of a car at a crosswalk or other appropriate location, be sure to make eye contact with the vehicle operator and wave to ensure that he or she has seen you. If the driver fails to respond to you, the safest choice is to wait for the vehicle to pass before you cross.
Always Carry Your Wallet and Phone with You
Finally, when traveling on foot, you should always carry your wallet and phone. Although this won’t help prevent an accident, it will leave you prepared should an accident occur. Carrying your phone can help ensure that you can call for help if you’re involved in an accident, and carrying your wallet will give responders access to your ID to help identify you if you’re unable to communicate.
Contact Our New York Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one have suffered a pedestrian accident injury in Long Island, New York, you should contact the experienced pedestrian accident attorneys of Dell & Dean, PLLC, for assistance. When you come to us for assistance with your pedestrian accident case, we will examine the circumstances surrounding the accident, plan a legal strategy, and aggressively seek financial compensation on your behalf. Please contact us as soon as possible to schedule a consultation with a Long Island pedestrian accident attorney.
Dell & Dean, PLLC, represents clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Garden City on Long Island, as well as the boroughs of New York: Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, and the Bronx.
