When a pedestrian gets hit by a car or truck, the injuries are typically quite severe, including broken bones or even the death of the pedestrian. The pedestrian has the right of way in Virginia if they are inside of the cross walk. If you have to cross anywhere other than an intersection, then the duties on the pedestrian include going across the road in the most direct manner.
Here are some tips to try to avoid being hit by a car as you are walking:
-Make eye-contact with the drivers of oncoming cars, to make sure they see you.
-Follow the age-old advice of "looking both ways before crossing the street."
– Avoid distractions, like talking or texting on your cell phone, or listening to music. You might not notice a car barreling towards you if you are distracted by other things.
– Always watch for traffic, especially cars turning the corner, while you are in the road.
-If you are walking on the side of a street that does not have sidewalks, walk facing the traffic, so that you can see what is coming towards you.
-Never walk behind a vehicle that is backing up. You could be in their blind spot.
-If you are walking at night, try to wear bright colors or reflective clothing.
-If you see a "DO NOT WALK" signal, then you should not walk.
-Always make sure that any children in your care are safely accounted for, and preferably holding on to your hand as you cross the street.
Follow these simple safety tips, and you can improve the odds that you and your loved ones stay safe while crossing the street.
Rick Shapiro has practiced personal injury law for over 30 years in Virginia, North Carolina, and throughout the Southeastern United States. He is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (ABA Accredited) and has litigated injury cases throughout the eastern United States, including wrongful death, trucking, faulty products, railroad, and medical negligence claims. During his three-decade career, Shapiro has won client appeals before the VA Supreme Court, VA Court of Appeals, NC Supreme Court, SC Supreme Court, WV Supreme Court, TN Supreme Court, and three times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, underscoring Shapiro’s trial achievements. In addition, he and his law firm have won settlements/verdicts in excess of $100 million. His success in and out of the courtroom is a big reason why he was named 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in railroad law in U.S. News & World Report's Best Lawyers publication (Norfolk, VA area), and he has been named a “Best Lawyer” and “Super Lawyer” by those peer-reviewed organizations for multiple years. Rick was also named a “Leader in the Law, Class of 2022” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (total of 33 statewide honorees consisting of lawyers and judges across Virginia). And in September 2023, Rick was selected as a recipient of the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) 2023 President’s Award. Although many nominations were submitted from across the country, Rick was just one of eight attorneys chosen by the prestigious National Board which certifies civil trial attorneys across the U.S. Rick was also recently named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2024 Virginia’s Go To Lawyers Medical Malpractice. The attorneys awarded this honor are nominated by their colleagues and chosen by a panel from the publication.
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