You go outside to walk to the corner store, or you are just out for a jog. Then, the unthinkable happens. A car comes out of nowhere and hits you, and suddenly your life is changed. Unfortunately, this scenario happens far too often. Pedestrians should be safe as they go about their business on foot, but drivers are not always attentive, and accidents happen. If this has happened to you, there is hope to recover damages through a civil lawsuit. Talking to a pedestrian accident attorney can help you move forward.
If you are trying to avoid pedestrian accidents, you should be aware of these safety precautions for San Antonio pedestrians. A skilled attorney at our law firm can be your legal representative in an injury case, but only you can help prevent a future accident.
Many of the following safety tips for pedestrians in San Antonio are common sense, but even the most basic precautions are excellent to review when they could mean the difference between life and death.
When a pedestrian is walking outdoors, especially at night, they should try to be seen by the drivers on the road. If a driver cannot see a pedestrian, there is a greater chance of getting hit. Pedestrians can maximize their own visibility by wearing bright or reflective clothing or even shining the flashlight on their phone as a way of alerting drivers that they are there.
During the day, try to make eye contact with a driver before crossing the road in front of them. When eye contact is made, there is a better understanding of what each person is going to do, which could prevent an accident.
Using a crosswalk to get across a street is much safer than trying to cross where there is no crosswalk. If there is a traffic light at a busy intersection, use the pedestrian signals that instruct when pedestrians can walk across and when they should wait. The pedestrian signals are there for safety reasons.
If there is a sidewalk to walk on, then do it. Staying on the sidewalk in San Antonio is one of the easiest and most effective safety precautions for local pedestrians. When crossing a road, look both ways to ensure it is safe to cross.
If there is not a sidewalk available, walk on the shoulder of the road, facing traffic. In most situations, this means walking on the left side of the road. Facing traffic allows pedestrians to see the traffic that is approaching closest to them, so they can move over even farther to be safer.
Distracted drivers are a serious problem on the roads, but so are distracted pedestrians. Do not text or focus on your phone while walking near traffic. Even though many people prefer jogging with headphones on, this could be a distraction that prevents the jogger from hearing a car approaching. Stay alert and be ready to react to danger.
Taking safety seriously is a great way to make you less prone to accidents. However, accidents can happen even if you have been following all these safety precautions for San Antonio pedestrians. If you have been injured because someone else was driving recklessly, you may be able to pursue compensation for your damages.
The lawyers at Felix Gonzalez Law Firm are here to help you. Give us a call and schedule your free consultation.