Tips for Protecting Your Safety and Your Rights as a Pedestrian

When you’re walking near traffic, you’re always at risk. But the risks you face can be magnified when you don’t follow a few important precautions. In addition, failing to take those precautions can make it more difficult to get compensation if you’re struck by a vehicle and seriously injured.

Because of that, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your health and your rights to the money you’re owed if you’re involved in an accident.

• Avoid distractions—Remember that there are three types of distractions—visual, manual, and cognitive. Walking near traffic requires your undivided attention, but it’s easy to become distracted in all three ways by using your phone, listening to music, or just failing to be aware of your surroundings.
• Walk only where it’s safe to do so—Sidewalks and crosswalks exist for a reason! These are by far the safest places to be as a pedestrian, and anytime you stray from them, you increase your risk of being seriously injured.
• Plan your walk and route carefully—Avoid walking at night, in the rain, when it’s foggy out, and during other times of limited visibility. In addition, avoid routes where sidewalks and crosswalks aren’t available, and stay away from major highways whenever possible.

Generally, drivers are considered liable when they strike pedestrians, but not always. Because pedestrian accident injuries are so devastating, it’s critical that you don’t lose your chance to file a compensation claim because you were violating a law or behaving negligently.

The Green Bay pedestrian accident lawyers at Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers will fight to protect your rights after an accident, so don’t hesitate to contact our team.