Everyone needs to get around, whether they travel by car, by train, by bus, or by foot. Unfortunately, the size and speed of motor vehicles make the roads a dangerous place for everyone who uses them. While many people know the dangers of texting and driving, they may not realize that texting or using a cell phone while walking can also be dangerous. Just as distracted driving greatly increases the likelihood of a car accident, distracted walking makes a pedestrian accident more likely.
Cell Phones and Distracted Walking
The cell phone has grown to become one of society’s biggest necessities, serving as one of the primary ways that people communicate with each other. The ease of sending text messages, looking up information, or performing any number of other activities has led people to use their phones in a wide variety of situations. However, paying attention to a cell phone often takes a person’s focus away from their surroundings. While this is especially dangerous when a person is in control of a vehicle, it can also result in a person being seriously injured or killed when they are on foot, since they may not be able to react in time if they are in danger.
Avoiding Injuries from Distracted Walking
According to the National Safety Council, there were 5,987 pedestrian deaths in the United States in 2016, the most recent year for which data is available. This was the highest number of pedestrian fatalities since 1990, and there was an increase of nine percent in pedestrian deaths from the previous year. This increase may be attributable to the prevalence of cell phone use, so pedestrians should be aware of the dangers that come with distracted walking. Parking lots, sidewalks, intersections, and roads all pose a potential threat to pedestrians, and people can protect themselves by paying close attention to the vehicles around them and avoiding distractions, including refraining from wearing headphones or texting while walking.
Call a Will County Pedestrian Accident Attorney
A moment’s distraction can mean the difference between life and death when someone is using the road. Many pedestrian accidents can be prevented by paying closer attention to vehicles, pedestrians, and road conditions. However, even people who are careful can be injured through no fault of their own. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you need effective legal representation to help you recover compensation for your damages. At Flaherty Law, LLC, we can provide you with the legal resources that you need to obtain the best case results. To schedule a free initial consultation, please contact a Plainfield personal injury lawyer at 815-860-5702 to discuss your case.
Sources:
http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/news-and-resources-pedestrian-safety.aspx