Your Family Matters

Did your evening stroll land you or your child in the hospital?

On Behalf of | Sep 9, 2017 | blog

Illinois pedestrians are always at risk for injury. However, you and your loved ones should be able to enjoy an evening walk together without worrying that a reckless motorist is going to cause you harm. Perhaps you love to take your toddler to the local park after supper and prefer to get some foot exercise to get there rather than take your car.

You may also be one of many state residents who loves to get a close-up look at local wildlife, such as birds, fish or even the neighbor’s dog. If so, traveling by foot may be your favorite means of transportation. There are several things you can do to increase your chances of reaching your destination safely if you choose to walk to where you are going at the time.

Keeping these tips in mind may help you avoid injury

You might not be able to take a straight path to your destination. If your evening stroll involves navigating areas open to motor vehicle traffic, you may want to remember the following safety recommendations:

  • It is probably best not to ride a scooter, bicycle or other wheeled vehicle across a road. Instead, you can manually push it by your side to retain as much control as possible.
  • Everyone likes to take shortcuts once in a while; however, if it means crossing a street with moving traffic outside a marked pedestrian zone, it’s likely not a good idea. Always use crosswalks with traffic signals, if possible.
  • Also you should make use of available sidewalks when walking through your neighborhood. This is the safest path of travel for pedestrians.
  • Even if you have the signal to walk, if a nearby motorist is causing you concern (such as one who appears to be speeding toward the crosswalk) it’s better to ignore the signal and stay back rather than step into a crosswalk and get hit by a car.

You are obviously obligated to follow all pedestrian regulations when you travel by foot. If you have children with you at the time, you are also responsible for their safety. There may be little or nothing you can do, however, if a negligent or reckless motorist comes barreling through your pedestrian area. If a car strikes you or knocks your child to the ground, the results may be catastrophic.

You’re at risk for permanent disability if you get hit by a moving vehicle. In fact, many Illinois residents involved in pedestrian accidents do not survive their injuries. If you or your child are recovering from a pedestrian collision, you may want to research various options for obtaining compensation for the damages you suffered.

Archives