Pedestrian Hit but SUV in the Dark
A 46-year-old man was crossing the street near the intersection of West Mead and South 3rd Avenue around 7 pm when he was hit by a SUV.
Police believe the reason the driver of the SUV didn’t see the man until the last second was because he was wearing dark clothing. The driver didn’t have time to stop and struck him. The man was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The driver is not being cited at this time. View original news story.
Pedestrian Accidents are Totally Preventable
Stories of pedestrians being injured near roads and intersections happen far more often than they should. There are some common themes and causes in these accidents. Here are a few safety reminders to think about when you’re commuting on foot or driving:
Avoid Unmarked Crosswalks
Most pedestrian accidents occur where foot and tires cross paths—at intersections and crosswalks. Many crosswalks have designated signals and specific markings to assure drivers and pedestrians safe routes of travel. However, some of these crosswalks are not clearly designated. For pedestrians—if there’s a choice between a marked or unmarked crosswalk, choose the marked option, even if it means walking out of your way. There are no “do-overs” when it comes to pedestrian accidents. Safest is the smartest choice. Crosswalks are designed for foot traffic and bicycles to bisect a roadway without risk of interference or injury. If drivers and pedestrians are attentive and anticipating mixed traffic, these kinds of mishaps are often preventable.
Inattention
Inattention is a problem for both drivers and pedestrians. Cell phones, texting, online gaming, and constant internet access lures attention from the mundane–like walking. Unfortunately, what’s ahead of them can not only be dangerous, but fatal. Tragedies often take drivers and pedestrians by surprise because it wasn’t in the focus of their eyes. Word of caution–Limit distractions when it comes to personal and mobile safety. Many states have attempted to address this issue with distracted driving laws on the books to counter against this growing epidemic. This advice isn’t just for drivers, but pedestrians as well. Obey and watch for stoplights, road markings, and crosswalks. EVERYONE needs to keep their eyes on the road—prevention is key.
Right on Red
Many drivers get complacent behind the wheel when it comes to stopping at red lights. They notice a light goes red as they are drawing close to the intersection, and with a cursory glance, continue to travel through the right turn without stopping. It’s often thought of as the “rolling stop.” Unfortunately, many have not check for pedestrians who may also be waiting for the signal to move ahead and are unexpectedly hit by a driver that did not fully stop at the light. Taking that extra moment to stop and look for pedestrians is preventable and saves lives.
Left-hand Turns
Turning left requires a driver’s full attention to oncoming traffic. Pedestrians are usually focused on lights and signals to indicate their turn to crossroads, not necessarily watching for variations in travel, like left-handed turns. Drivers should always check for diagonal cross travelers and oncoming traffic that is turning before they execute their own turn. Caution and anticipation can prevent a driver from accelerating into a pedestrian. Pedestrians also need to check left to right to watch for cars who may be waiting to turn across their path of travel. Looking left, looking right, and looking left again is at the top of the list for pedestrian accident prevention.
Pedestrians & Dark Clothing
In winter months, days grow shorter and clothes seem to get darker as well. Jackets and coats tend to be black, grays, dark blues and browns. These colors are difficult for drivers or anyone to see in the already dark skies. Many pedestrian accidents are avoidable by simply being more visible to drivers. If you are often out and about on foot, walking the dog or just enjoying a moment alone, investing in some reflective gear or flashing lights could be a lifesaver. Being visible in the dark makes pedestrian accidents much more preventable.
For more characteristics and preventive measures in pedestrian crashes, check out: https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/PED_BIKE/univcourse/pdf/swless04.pdf
Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers are Here to Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or were in a pedestrian accident, call Fielding Law Group for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury professional today. We can help you recover and get back on your feet. Remember-Don’t let an accident wreck YOU!
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