Pedestrian safety is a serious issue that must be addressed. Every year, countless pedestrians are struck at intersections, often resulting in serious injuries or even death. It is crucial that both drivers and pedestrians take responsibility for their actions in order to prevent these tragic accidents from occurring.
Recently Fox 59 in Indianapolis ran a story about the most dangerous intersections in Indianapolis. They went on to say” “You are twice as likely to be struck by a turning vehicle in the downtown area than you would be anywhere else in the city, said Nathan Sheets, Indy DPW’s administrator for planning and compliance. Sheets and his team combed through Indiana State Police data in an attempt to find the places where pedestrians were most likely to be hit or killed by vehicles. They found a whopping 77% of vehicle-pedestrian crashes happen in downtown Indy intersections.”
As a pedestrian, it is important to always be aware of your surroundings and to follow traffic signals and signs. This means waiting for the walk signal before crossing the street, looking both ways before stepping off the curb, and avoiding distractions such as texting or listening to music while walking. Especially in busy areas such as downtown Indianapolis where there is a high traffic volume for events or even just during the workday.
Additionally, it is important to make yourself visible to drivers by wearing reflective clothing and staying in well-lit areas. Drivers also have a responsibility to be alert and aware of pedestrians at intersections. This means obeying traffic signals and signs, yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, and avoiding distractions such as texting or using a phone while driving. It is also important to slow down when approaching an intersection and to be prepared to stop suddenly if necessary. In addition to personal responsibility, there are also measures that can be taken to improve pedestrian safety at intersections.
These include installing crosswalks and pedestrian signals, improving lighting and visibility, and enforcing traffic laws and regulations. By working together, we can help prevent accidents and ensure that pedestrians are able to safely navigate our streets and intersections.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian accident, it is important to speak with a personal injury attorney to discuss compensation at your first opportunity. You will want to make sure that you have taken the necessary steps to secure medical treatment that may be required for injuries sustained in the accident as well as investigative measures, which is something a personal injury attorney can assist you with.
Each accident is different, but it makes sense to speak with an attorney who can explain your rights to you and your family. There is no reason you should have the burden of recoverying as well as trying to navigate a foreign personal injury matter.
Our attorneys at Tabor Law Firm are available for a free consultation today. You may reach the office at (317) 548-0206 to speak with someone now!
