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Motorists must share the road safely with pedestrians

On Behalf of | Jan 9, 2022 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Most people in Brooklyn are pedestrians at some point in the day, whether they walk to work or shops or whether they are simply crossing the street. Unfortunately, some motorists drive recklessly and will cause auto-pedestrian accidents that could be serious or even deadly.

The statistics

In New York, auto-pedestrian accidents are among the top 10 leading causes of pedestrian injuries requiring hospitalization and pedestrian deaths. Each year an estimated 300 pedestrians in New York lose their lives and a further 15,000 suffer injuries after being hit by a car. For this reason, it is important for motorists to share the road safely with pedestrians.

Tips for motorists

Motorists will want to consider the following tips for driving safely around pedestrians. First, motorists have a legal duty to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections. Motorists should not block crosswalks, because this forces pedestrians to walk out into traffic. Speeding should always be avoided, especially in places where children may be present such as school zones, parks and neighborhoods. Before executing a turn, motorists should look both ways to ensure there are no pedestrians present, especially at traffic lights. Motorists should always obey traffic signals and signs, especially red lights and stop signs. Finally, texting and driving should always be avoided.

Share the road safely

Motorists owe pedestrians a duty of care to drive safely and this includes practicing pedestrian awareness so they can avoid causing a motor vehicle accident. If a motorist breaches this duty by striking a pedestrian and the pedestrian is injured, the pedestrian will want to make sure they explore all their options for compensation, including whether they have grounds to pursue a personal injury lawsuit based on negligence.

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