Urban Living 101: A Guide to Staying Safe (and Protected) as a City Pedestrian

Looking to be a safer pedestrian?

Walking is becoming more dangerous. Pedestrian deaths surged to a 40-year high in 2022 and remain high into 2023.

Fortunately…

Urban pedestrians can substantially lower their risk of being struck by following a few commonsense tips and tricks.

Let's get into it:

Did you know…

Pedestrian accidents are almost always preventable. When you know what risks to look out for as a walker and understand your rights and options after an accident, it's much easier to avoid becoming another unnecessary statistic. Read on to learn how to get home safely…

What you'll learn:

• Dangerous Factors for Pedestrians in Urban Areas

• Tips to Stay Safe When Walking in the City

• How To Protect Yourself After Getting Hit

• Pedestrian Accident Legal Rights

Dangerous Factors for Pedestrians in Urban Areas

According to GHSA data, drivers killed 7,148 pedestrians in 2024. While this number represents a slight decrease from previous years, it's still enough fatalities to fill over 30 Boeing 737 passenger jets.

But here's the worse part…

Urban cities are where the majority of pedestrian deaths occur.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, urban areas account for 84% of all pedestrian fatalities. Compared to suburban or rural environments city sidewalks are inherently riskier for walkers.

This raises the question:

What's causing so many pedestrian deaths?

Well…

There are a number of factors that increase the likelihood that a pedestrian will be hit. These include:

• Distracted driving (primarily cell phones)

• Larger car sizes (SUVs, trucks, etc.)

• Walking under low-light conditions at night

• Inadequate or nonexistent sidewalks

• Increased speed limits on city streets

Statistics also show that pedestrians are most likely to be killed between the hours of 6pm-6am. As you can imagine, nighttime brings many unique visibility hazards for both drivers and walkers.

If injured in a pedestrian accident, your best bet is typically to speak with a Rock Hill Pedestrian Accident Lawyer near you. A qualified attorney can help walk victims through their options for financial recovery after a crash.

Tips to Stay Safe When Walking in the City

You don't have to go to extreme measures to protect yourself as a pedestrian. You just have to be smart about where and when you walk.

Let's start with visibility.

Especially at night, wear brightly colored or reflective clothing. Carry a flashlight or use your phone's flashlight feature before crossing streets. If drivers can't see you, they'll unintentionally run you over.

Next… Practice defensive walking.

Obey traffic signals and don't assume drivers will yield to you. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Never assume it's safe to walk just because of a walk signal.

Here's another truth:

Crosswalks don't guarantee safety. Countless pedestrians get struck by cars right at marked intersections with signal lights. A walk signal only gives the right of way to pedestrians, it doesn't force drivers to comply.

Remove as many of your own distractions as possible too.

Hang up your cellphone and take the earbuds out before crossing streets. Avoid listening to music or engaging in other distracting activities while walking.

Lastly… Pick your route and sidewalk carefully.

Avoid poorly lit streets with damaged or nonexistent sidewalks. If there's no sidewalk, don't walk along the shoulder of a busy road. Take the long way home if it means walking safer streets.

Walking Safely: High Risk Times & Locations

As with driving, not every walking situation presents the same level of risk. However, when certain conditions are present, pedestrian danger increases dramatically.

You'd be surprised at…

How predictable pedestrian fatalities are based on time and location.

This information can be used to make better decisions about where it's safest to walk.

For example:

Statistics show that pedestrians are at the highest risk of being hit and killed at night. If you need to walk after dark, take every precaution and stick to well-lit streets.

Another risk factor is day of the week.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday account for nearly 50% of pedestrian deaths each year. Alcohol impairment greatly increases the risk of a pedestrian accident for both walkers and drivers.

Where there are no sidewalks is also more dangerous.

Pedestrians account for 65% of deaths on streets with no sidewalk. If there's no sidewalk, you should not be walking alongside traffic!

Lastly, don't get hit by a hit-and-run driver.

Hit-and-run crashes account for 25% of pedestrian fatalities. These situations are uniquely difficult for victims who hope to receive compensation from a driver.

How To Protect Yourself After Getting Hit

No one plans on being hit by a car while walking. But taking the proper steps after a pedestrian accident can make all the difference in protecting your health and rights.

First things first…

See a doctor immediately following an accident. Some injuries (like traumatic brain injuries) may not be immediately evident after a crash. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Second… Document the incident as much as you can.

Take pictures. Talk to witnesses. Write down a timeline of events. Law enforcement should also be notified promptly.

Contact the police.

You'll want to call the police and file an accident report. This creates an official document with details about the accident that may become useful later.

Don't discuss your accident with insurance companies.

Insurance companies only work for their policyholders. Don't say anything that could be used against you later on down the line. Politely decline discussions until you've spoken with an attorney.

Speaking of attorneys… Contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.

Pedestrian accidents cause numerous injuries and can lead to expensive medical bills. Legal representation can help protect your rights and recover compensation from negligent drivers.

Pedestrian Accident Legal Rights

Whether struck by a city bus or distracted driver, pedestrians that are injured on the road have rights. Some may be surprised to learn just how much protection the law provides.

Far too many pedestrian accident victims…

• Accept low settlement amounts from insurance companies.

• Decide that legal action isn't worth the effort and give up on compensation.

• Hire the first attorney they find.

When you're already recovering from an accident, the last thing you need is a novice attorney…

Driving accidents cause billions of dollars in damage every year, and drivers are responsible for compensating victims they injure through negligence. In many cases, this compensation can cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Pedestrians have the right to file a personal injury claim against at-fault drivers. If injured on city property, there may be additional legal options available.

Takeaway

Walking should be safe, yet pedestrian deaths are at an all-time high. While there's no way to make city sidewalks 100% safe, there are plenty of precautions pedestrians can take to protect themselves.

Remember:

Always be aware of your surroundings when crossing streets. Walk defensively and eliminate distractions whenever possible. Don't take shortcuts that mean walking along busy roads without sidewalks.

Know what to do if you're struck by a vehicle, and know your legal rights if another person's negligence causes you harm. Take care, and stay safe out there.