Walking is great exercise, but if you’re not careful, it could also be dangerous. California pedestrians and people in wheelchairs and infants in strollers are the most vulnerable when it comes to potential accidents. You have to be mindful of what’s ahead of you, beside you and behind you at all times, especially when you’re walking on roadways.
Stats show that on average in a 24-hour period, 430 people will get treatment for injuries they sustain while out walking. While walking is great for your health, suffering injuries while doing so defeats the purpose. There are things you can do to keep yourself and your companions safe while experiencing the benefits of walking.
Take These Tips to Heart
Whenever you’re walking in an area with traffic, there are some things you might want to keep in mind:
- Use designated crosswalks when crossing the street or at intersections.
- Carry a flashlight at night or wear clothes that are light reflective. Let people know you’re there.
- If there is no sidewalk for you to use, walk on the shoulder of the road and always face traffic.
- Keep your mind on your walk and not on your cellphone or other electronic devices.
Especially For Kids
One in five deaths among kids 14 and younger when it comes to traffic fatalities, are pedestrian deaths. Because of their small size, kids are especially at risk of being hurt in traffic incidents. Kids are not the best at judging distance and speed and their lack of knowledge regarding traffic rules makes them extremely vulnerable.
Who Else is at Risk?
There is a higher risk of injury to some folks rather than others. Here are some interesting statistics:
- Guys who walk or drive for that matter, are more apt to get killed or to suffer injuries than women.
- Young walkers between the ages of 15 and 29 are more likely to end up in the emergency department for traffic-related injuries compared to other age groups.
- It seems the older you get, the more your risk of harm increases when you’re walking.
- Drunk walkers are at a higher risk for injury.
If you or a loved one suffers injuries in a pedestrian traffic incident resulting from someone else’s negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation via a personal injury claim. In the same regard, if you have lost a loved one because of the carelessness of someone else, you can file a wrongful death claim in civil court.
You may want to speak to an attorney experienced in these kinds of cases. He or she will be able to guide you through the compensation process, increasing your chances of getting the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled.