October is National Pedestrian Safety Month

Walking is a healthy, oftentimes fun way to get from Point A to Point B in Chicago. Like any big city, we have a lot of pedestrians here, day and night. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents – along with the serious injuries and deaths that they cause – are also not uncommon, which isn’t unique to our city but is in fact a continuing problem across the country. To raise awareness of the need for pedestrian safety and the rights of pedestrians to arrive safely at their destinations, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recognizes October as National Pedestrian Safety Month.

In 2019, a pedestrian was killed on average every 85 minutes, according to the NHTSA. A total of 6,205 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents that year.

Take the time to review the main ways we can make pedestrian travel safer in America:

• Safe driving. Every time you get behind the wheel, check in with yourself to make sure you’re ready to be alert and pay attention to the road. Pedestrians don’t always behave as we expect, including crossing outside of crosswalks and darting into the road without looking. To prevent tragedies, it’s critical that motorists are scanning the roadway for pedestrians and that they are staying aware of their surroundings.

• Safety on the part of pedestrians. Pedestrians also have a responsibility to prevent collisions with motor vehicles. If you are traveling on foot, on a bicycle, or otherwise outside of a motor vehicle, remember to stay alert and reduce distractions. The best defense is to keep your head up and look out for motorists who may be driving carelessly.

It’s incumbent upon all of us to do what we can to prevent pedestrian accidents. We hope that you and your family continue to take advantage of the health benefits of walking while also practicing the safety tips detailed above.

What to Do Following a Pedestrian Accident

If you or a family member was injured in a pedestrian accident in Chicago or the surrounding areas of Illinois, please contact Sklare Law Group for a free consultation at 312-263-0771. We want to hear what happened to you and let you know what your options are for pursuing injury compensation.