Six Tips to Help Runners Avoid Pedestrian Accidents

Running is a form of recreational exercise enjoyed by millions of Americans every day. While regular jogging and running can be a wonderful way of keeping up one's stamina and cardiovascular health, runners must take certain precautions to minimize their risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident. Next time you choose to go for a run, make sure you keep these tips in mind!

1. Run during the daytime: If possible, it is highly recommended you run during daylight hours to increase your visibility to drivers. If you absolutely must run at night, wear bright colors and carry a flashlight with you.
2. Stick to the sidewalks: Running on the sidewalk is much safer than running on the side of the street. If there is no sidewalk available, run opposite the flow of traffic. This will allow you to see oncoming vehicles and give you the opportunity to react accordingly.
3. Look both ways before crossing: Need to cross the street? Make sure you only cross at designated crosswalks and check both ways before stepping into the street. Just because a traffic signal may say "walk" does not necessarily mean that it is safe to cross. Check all angles before crossing and do not under any circumstances attempt to outrun a car. Dark or foggy conditions can greatly alter a person's depth perception and give you a false indication of how fast a car may be moving. If you are unsure, it is always best to wait.
4. Use hand signals: Give nearby drivers a heads-up before turning by using hand signals. Extend your right arm out to the right with your palm open to signal a right turn, and vice versa for a left turn. Alternatively, you can signal a right turn by raising your left forearm up so it forms a 90 degree angle with your arm.
5. Put away the earbuds: While music can be a great source of motivation during your daily run, headphones and earbuds can reduce your situational awareness and impede your ability to hear nearby cars. At the very minimum, keep the volume of your music low.
6. Look out for cars pulling out of driveways: Runners oftentimes have to cross at least one driveway along their path. Drivers have a hard time seeing pedestrians to their sides while backing out of their driveways until their vehicle's nose is already in the street. To stay safe, check the openings of all driveways before running through them.

Injured? Contact a Cape Cod Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, a skilled Cape Cod personal injury attorney from the Law Office of Scott B. Brilliant can protect your rights and fight for fair compensation on your behalf. With more than a decade's worth of legal experience and a lengthy history of case victories, we can provide the results-driven advocacy you need during this difficult time.

Call (888) 605-5847 or request a free consultation today to get started.