Being a Smart Pedestrian

Most people are probably well aware that, as a pedestrian, they have the right-of-way over a vehicle. The problem with this knowledge is that it sometimes makes pedestrians think that they have some sort of protection from being hit by a vehicle. You may have the right-of-way, but that doesn't mean that a driver is necessarily going to respect the right-of-way or that they are going to be able to stop in time to avoid hitting you if you go out in front of them without checking.

Be Realistic

Having the right-of-way will not make it possible for a vehicle to stop in a shorter amount of time than the laws of physics dictate. If you're trying to cross a busy stretch of street with a higher than average speed limit, be aware that the vehicles will need to have quite a bit of room to yield to you. Don't assume that they're going to slow down or stop just because you have the right-of-way. Even if they can, some drivers are stubborn and they may pass very close to you or even hit you because of being in a rush.

At Night

If you like walking or running for exercise, you're probably well aware of the fact that rush-hour takes place during twilight or darkness during the end of the year. This makes it important to put on clothing that makes you visible. The types of high visibility vests that construction workers wear are widely available at discount stores. Wearing one of these when you are running or walking is a great way to make sure that vehicle see you. Bright colors can also do the trick, but the reflective tape and the intensely bright colors used on safety vests offer an entirely other level of visibility to the wearer.

If somebody hits you when you are a pedestrian, you can contact a DFW car wreck lawyer for advice. An auto accident attorney will work with pedestrians who are injured by negligent drivers just as readily as they will work with people who are injured in multi-car accidents. The thing to keep in mind is that the person who hit you had to have been the one being negligent. If you were causing a risky situation on your own, it's unlikely that a jury would find in your favor. An attorney, however, is the only one who could tell you for sure whether or not a lawsuit is a realistic option.

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