Winter can bring challenging travel conditions for pedestrians and drivers alike. Darker days, colder weather, and frazzled and fatigued travelers may all contributed to a greater number of accidents on the road. This is true even in Southern California, where are winters only seem to last a few short months! During colder months, pedestrians are more likely to find themselves injured by walking outside on a slippery sidewalk or being hit by a careless driver. Indeed, one leading cause of accidents in the San Fernando Valley involves drivers who strike a pedestrian who is crossing the street. Other reasons for pedestrian accidents include jaywalking and texting or using phones while crossing the street.
When walking on a sidewalk or crossing a wet street, pedestrians need to be especially careful to walk slowly and put away their electronic devices. Pedestrians can also protect themselves by following the old adage, “look left, right, and left again,” before crossing the street. Crossing wide streets in sections, by use of a center divider or median, is also wise. If you find yourself walking in a parking lot, such as near a shopping mall or event center, pay attention to your surroundings, as parking lots accidents happen more often than you might think. It is recommended that you stick to marked sidewalks and paths that are visible to drivers. Remember, just because you can see a car or a driver does not mean they can or will see you.
As for drivers, they need to refrain from any distracted driving behavior that can lead to auto accidents, such as reaching for a cell phone while driving or talking on the phone. Numerous studies have shown that talking on the phone and/or holding a device while driving creates a tremendous distraction for a driver and becomes a safety hazard for pedestrians. When driving in parking lots, treat every car as though it is going to back out at any minute and proceed with caution. Also look out for children darting from between cars.
Accidents arising from distracted walking or distracted driving do happen, and serious injuries can result. If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent or careless driver, contact an experienced auto accident attorney in the San Fernando Valley.
For more information about protecting your legal rights and financial recovery after being injured in a car accident or pedestrian accident, reach out to personal injury attorney Barry P. Goldberg today.
