How to Keep Yourself Safe from Car-Pedestrian Accidents

December 18, 2011:  Seems like every time you turn around, there’s another ghastly news item about a pedestrian who lost a contest with a truck or car.  I’ve written a lot about car-pedestrian accidents.  And the pedestrian always loses.  Understandable when you compare both the speed and the mass of the car with that of the human car accident victim.  It’s enough to make you paranoid, and even stop walking anywhere near traffic. 

But the answer isn’t found in being too scared to take a walk.   At least that’s not a very satisfying answer.  No, the solution is found in taking common-sense steps to protect yourself while you’re walking.  Though it doesn’t include everything, here’s my list of suggestions:

First, always make sure you can see well and be seen.  Always carry a flashlight at night.  While this will help you see where you’re going, the more important benefit is that it will help the drivers see you, especially if you wave it around as they approach.  You should wear light-colored or even reflective clothing at night, too.

Second, use your ears as well as your eyes.  Don’t be walking around, especially on busy streets, with ear buds or other listening devices that prevent you from hearing danger.  If you block your ears from hearing the sounds around you, you eliminate a major component of your self-protection equipment.  It isn’t worth it.

Third, always assume the drivers do not see you, until they signal otherwise, by slowing or moving over.  Make sure it’s obvious.  Until you know they see you and have acknowledged your presence, keep well off to the side of the road or street. 

Fourth and related to that, always look twice each way.  Don’t enter an intersection, even a cross-walk, till you are sure some driver isn’t getting ready to zip through it, oblivious of your right-of-way. Whether walking or driving, you can often prevent car accidents by following this rule.  In short, be constantly aware of your surroundings.  The car coming up behind you, the driver who apparently doesn’t see you, the guy blowing through the red light, the horn honking, or whatever. 

Also review the tips I give on keeping kids safe from car accidents.   That addresses Halloween accidents, but the principles apply generally.

If you follow these tips on avoiding pedestrian accidents, and my other suggestions for avoiding car accidents in general, you may never need a personal injury attorney.  That’s ok.  You can still send your friends to me who didn’t happen to see these tips in time.