In 2008, Boston, Massachusetts was the twenty-first largest city in the United States. We have seen our share of this in our personal injury practice. Because Boston is such a large city, a number of pedestrian accidents happen each year. In fact, more than 5,000 pedestrians die each year in the United States because they are hit by motor vehicles or bicycles.
Be safe by taking simple precautions. Safety can prevent injury much of the time. The most common collisions between vehicles and pedestrians tend to be caused when pedestrians make the following mistakes: failing to cross in clearly marked crosswalks; failing to walk on sidewalks; and failing to walk opposite traffic.
- The following are considered standard Pedestrian Safety Tips:
- Wear clothing so that you are seen.
- Don’t assume drivers see you – be sure they are not distracted before you cross.
- Cross streets only at crosswalks and only when the traffic signal is with you.
- Sidewalks can be still be dangerous – watch for vehicles backing and parking.
- Always walk facing traffic and being mindful of what traffic is doing.
- Bicycles should ride with traffic – pedestrians watch doubly for bikes.
- Look before crossing; and look again; and again. We represent folks who don’t look a second time all the time.
- Don’t challenge the warning or blinking light.
- Even when you have right of way, look and look again.
- The safety experts recommend flags on small vehicles such as strollers.
It is important that we all follow these rules, and that children are aware of the above. The Law Office of Neil Burns is dedicated to keeping our clients and their families safe, and remains dedicated in the event of accidents and injuries.