Boston is a busy place, and there are plenty of pedestrians walking around the city on a regular basis. Unfortunately, there are also many pedestrian accidents caused by the negligent actions of others, even when pedestrians are using designated and marked crosswalks. At Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., our pedestrian accident attorneys in Boston want to discuss some preventative measures that pedestrians can take to avoid hit and run crashes at crosswalks.
Preventing Crosswalk Pedestrian Crashes In Boston
According to data available from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, we can see that there were nearly 2,100 total pedestrian crashes during the latest reporting year across the Commonwealth. Out of these incidents, there were 58 reported fatalities and 1,668 total pedestrian injuries. There are various safety steps that pedestrians can take to avoid being injured at a hit and run crash at a crosswalk.
- Cross the street only at designated crosswalks or intersections. Make sure that you wait for the “walk” signal before crossing, even if there is no traffic.
- As tempting as it can be to cross the street a little bit earlier than the crosswalk, take the extra time and get to the appropriate crossing.
- Even after a signal indicates that you can walk, do not assume that oncoming drivers see you. Make eye contact with drivers in approaching or stopped vehicles to ensure that they know you are there.
- Avoid any distractions while you are walking. Whether you are at a crosswalk or not, your face should not be glued to your cell phone. Distracted walking is dangerous walking.
- Even though walking may be safer than driving if you are planning to have a few alcoholic beverages, you still need to understand that alcohol can affect your judgment even when you were walking.
Pedestrians are incredibly vulnerable to severe injuries in the event they are struck by a vehicle, even if that vehicle is slow-moving. The human body is not meant to withstand the force of a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds slamming into it. It is not uncommon for pedestrian accident victims to sustain the following:
- Paralysis caused by spinal cord trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken and dislocated bones
- Open head wounds
- Amputation injuries or severe lacerations
- Significant scarring or disfigurement
- Emotional and psychological trauma
Let Us Help If You Have Sustained A Boston Pedestrian Accident Injury
If you or a loved one have sustained a pedestrian accident injury that was caused by the negligence of another person, seek legal assistance as soon as possible. The team at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. is ready to thoroughly investigate your claim so we can secure the compensation you deserve. This includes:
- Coverage of all medical bills
- Any income you lose if you cannot work while you recover
- Loss of personal enjoyment damages
- Pain and suffering damages
- Possible punitive damages in cases of gross negligence
If you need a Boston pedestrian accident lawyer, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling 617-917-3917.