What Can You Do As An Orange County Pedestrian To Stay Safe In Crosswalks?

Four thousand and ninety-two people lost their lives in pedestrian accidents in 2009. That’s almost eleven people each day last year. An additional 59,000 pedestrians were injured. Unfortunately, California leads the nation in pedestrian fatalities.

Almost three out of every four pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas like Orange County, and a surprising number of these accidents occur in crosswalks. Pedestrians tend to think that a crosswalk offers them protection from cars. Pedestrians in crosswalks legally have the right of way, but there are no guarantees that they are safe if a driver is distracted, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or just reckless. The safety of the person in the crosswalk depends on the alertness of drivers.

Common causes of crosswalk accidents:

• Drivers fail to notice the pedestrian crossing the street
• Vehicles are traveling at high speeds and cannot stop in time to avoid the pedestrian
• Drivers are distracted
• Drivers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• The driver does not allow adequate braking distance
• Crossing signals fail to alert the pedestrians or driver
• Cars are involved in an accident near a crosswalk

The Orange County pedestrian accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie represent victims of pedestrian accidents throughout California. We’ve compiled this list of tips to prevent crosswalk accidents.

1. Pay attention! Don’t assume that having the walk light means you are safe.Watch the road and watch traffic.

2. Avoid distractions. Don’t text or read while crossing the street,and put your phone conversation on hold for a few seconds.

3. Don’t abruptly change direction. A distracted driver may not notice and will think you’ve finished crossing.

Pedestrians who survive crosswalk accidents are often left with substantial injuries. They may be left permanently disabled and unable to work. Victims of pedestrian accidents are usually entitled to compensation for their injuries, lost income, pain and suffering and related expenses. You can learn more about your rights by discussing your accident with an Orange County personal injury attorney. To schedule an appointment for a free consultation with a Newport Beach injury lawyer, contact Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie at 866-981-5596.

Learn more about Orange County accident claims; download a free copy of our guide: ”7 mistakes that could sabotage your accident claim.”