Visibility a Top Factor in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are already considered one of the most vulnerable road users, as they are vastly outweighed by the vehicles driven by motorists and are far less visible. The latter is particularly true at night, with the Federal Highway Administration reporting that as many as 75 percent of all pedestrian traffic fatalities occur after dark.
How Visibility Affects Pedestrians
Motorists expect to be maneuvering around other similarly-sized vehicles, so they don’t always anticipate the presence of smaller road users, like pedestrians. Unfortunately, this lack of visibility is one of the primary causes behind pedestrian accidents, with many at-fault drivers stating afterwards that they simply never saw the injured party. This problem is even more pronounced at night, when visibility is lower for everyone and in certain locations where pedestrians are more likely to be present, including:
- Pedestrian thoroughfares;
- Parks and tourist attractions;
- Bus stops and train stations;
- Schools; and
- Sports and entertainment venues.
These kinds of spaces tend to be more heavily trafficked by pedestrians, as well as vehicles. Fortunately, there are a few steps that pedestrians can take to help lower their chances of being involved in an accident.
Improving Visibility
Because visibility is one of the keys to walking safely in urban areas, like Tampa, experts recommend taking steps to increase that visibility as much as possible. This includes:
- Wearing light and brightly colored clothes, especially in the twilight and nighttime hours;
- Wearing a jacket or backpack with reflective tape or fabrics that pick up the light;
- Carrying a flashlight or wearing a headlamp when walking at night;
- Avoiding phone use, as bright screens can be distracting and blind the user’s eyes to obstacles;
- Staying in well-lit areas;
- Using sidewalks and crosswalks;
- Walking towards traffic if forced to walk on the shoulder or side of the road; and
- Avoiding walking at night when possible.
Taking these precautions, while it does lower a pedestrian’s chances of being involved in an accident, is no guarantee of safety, which is why it’s so important for pedestrians in Florida to have a thorough understanding of their rights and options when it comes to post-accident recovery.
Pedestrian Accident Damages
Even the most careful of pedestrians could end up involved in a collision with a vehicle. Unfortunately, the injuries in these kinds of accidents are almost always severe for the pedestrian, who is far less protected than the motorist. Injured pedestrians can, however, seek compensation for their losses, attempting to recover reimbursement not only for their medical expenses, which could be extensive, but also their lost wages. In cases of serious injury, claimants can even recover compensation for permanent disability and pain and suffering.
Discuss Your Options with Our Tampa Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
While the option of recovering monetary compensation after a pedestrian accident is reassuring, you may still need help when it comes to pursuing your case. For help navigating Florida’s complex legal system after your own accident, please call Anderson & Anderson today. You can contact one of our experienced Tampa pedestrian accident lawyers by calling 813-251-0072 or by reaching out to us online.
Sources:
fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/everydaycounts/edc_7/nighttime_visibility.cfm
flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/pedestrian-safety/
