Lowell, MA Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Walking seems like a relatively safe way to get around, but the data says otherwise. Between 2007-2016, nationwide pedestrian fatalities rose 27%, reaching nearly 6,000 in 2017. Although Massachusetts saw a small decline in pedestrian deaths from 2016 to 2017, the problem remains serious. More than 800 Massachusetts children are treated in emergency rooms or hospitalized each year as a result of pedestrian injuries.

Unsurprisingly, most pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas, where there is generally more congestion and activity. And, the vast majority occur on sunny or cloudy days, when people are more likely to be walking.

The state of Massachusetts invested in a public information campaign to urge awareness among drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians, and efforts are underway to make certain roads and intersections safer for both motorists and foot traffic. However, the key to pedestrian safety lies largely with pedestrians themselves and the bicyclists, motorcyclists, and motor vehicle operators they share the roads with.

Pedestrian Safety in Massachusetts

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

Pedestrians can help to keep themselves safe from traffic accidents by:

• Remaining vigilant—distracted walking can be just as dangerous as distracted driving
• Staying visible—when walking along roadways, wear bright colors during the day and reflective clothing at night
• Cross at the crosswalk rather than cutting across in the middle of the street or between parked cars
• Walk on sidewalks whenever possible, and follow rules of the road for where to walk safely when you must enter the roadway
• Never assume that a driver has seen you or will yield the right of way
• Avoid walking with headphones on, as they will block out or muffle the sound of approaching vehicles, car horns, and other warning signals
• Walk sober—about 17% of pedestrian fatalities involve walkers under the influence

Safety Tips for Drivers Sharing the Road with Pedestrians

Motor vehicles are obviously much larger, heavier, and faster than pedestrians. That makes it all the more important for drivers to exercise care when sharing the road with pedestrians, who are largely defenseless against a fast-moving vehicle. Drivers should take care to:

• Avoid distracted driving—looking away from the road for even a few seconds can mean you travel hundreds of feet “blind,” and that’s plenty of time for a pedestrian to step into the road unseen
• Obey traffic laws and speed limits, particularly in residential areas or other places where foot traffic is common
• Give a pedestrian plenty of space when you pass him or her on the road—a minimum of three feet is a good general rule
• Look for pedestrians when turning, particularly when making a left turn
• Never pass a car that is stopped at a crosswalk, and when you stop at a crosswalk allow plenty of room for pedestrians to cross safely and be visible to approaching cars.

Help for Victims of Massachusetts Pedestrian Accidents

When you’ve been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be daunted by growing medical bills, uncooperative insurance companies, and short-term or long-term limitations on your income. There’s no reason to attempt to manage those issues on your own.

Attorney Kevin J. Broderick has decades of experience in helping accident victims recover the compensation they need to move forward after an injury.

Damages in pedestrian accident cases vary depending on many factors, such as the seriousness of your injury, the degree of fault attributable to each party, and your actual economic losses. Economic losses include medical bills, costs of therapy and rehabilitation, lost income, projected future limitation on earnings, and more.

There’s no upside to delay: getting a knowledgeable advocate on your side can help relieve your stress, take tasks off your plate so you can focus on your recovery, and reduce the risk that an insurance company will mislead you into a mistake that could hurt your case.

 Just call 978-459-3085 or fill out the contact form on this site to get a free consultation. Even if you aren’t sure if you have a case, it is always better to call and ask.