Urban layouts can greatly affect one’s safety as a pedestrian. Cities often feature wide roads, poor lighting, and missing signals that can put people at risk of being subject to a pedestrian accident. These and other design failures contribute to crashes and serious injuries every day. Pedestrians shouldn’t face danger because of careless planning.
Potential Dangers Associated with Wide Roads
Wide streets may encourage drivers to drive faster if they need to get across multiple lanes of traffic, and increased speed can lead to more severe injuries in a collision.
Many wide roads also lack proper crosswalks and pedestrian paths. As a result, jaywalking happens more often in these areas. Missing or faded crosswalks force pedestrians to take chances between traffic. Drivers may not expect people walking in these areas, which raises the likelihood of a crash.
Without marked crossings, drivers and pedestrians also often misread each other’s intentions. Someone may step into the street unexpectedly, unsure if a car will see them and stop. These moments of hesitation can lead to severe injuries.
Poor Lighting Can Hide Pedestrians
Dim or broken lighting near sidewalks and crossings can also increase a pedestrian’s risk of getting hurt. Drivers may fail to see someone at night or in bad weather until it’s too late. This lack of visibility contributes to many deadly accidents in urban areas.
Dark streets make walking dangerous and create a sense of fear. Poor lighting lowers foot traffic and community safety. Every intersection and pedestrian path should have clear, working lights.
Lack of Traffic Signals Creates Chaos
Busy streets without signals can become unpredictable. Without clear signals, drivers and pedestrians might incorrectly guess who has the right-of-way. Some drivers speed through, and others stop without warning, leading to crashes.
Dedicated pedestrian signals can prevent some of these missteps and miscommunications. They give pedestrians the confidence to cross without fear when everyone knows it’s their turn.
Drivers and City Planners Share Blame
Drivers must follow the rules and watch for pedestrians, but poor design can put pedestrians in danger before a car even appears. City planners shape the environment. When they ignore pedestrian safety, they share the blame.
Omissions of any design features aimed at pedestrian safety can create a hazardous mix of fast cars and exposed walkers.
Safer Design Prevents Crashes
Cities try to reduce pedestrian injuries by including sidewalks, crosswalks, and signals in every project. These features give people safer ways to move through traffic. Traffic-calming devices like speed bumps and curb extensions also slow vehicles and improve driver awareness.
Well-lit pedestrian paths and protected crossings also limit risk. Bike lanes and proper signage can also reduce the odds of a crash. These features don’t cost much compared to the price of medical care and lost income victims need after they’re injured by a car.
Poor urban planning puts pedestrians in danger, especially in crowded city centers. Intersections without signals or crosswalks leave them vulnerable. Roads built for high-speed traffic or neighborhoods with no sidewalks can lead to risky situations. Poor design forces people to take risks they would avoid if safer options existed.
Schedule a Consultation with a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
After a pedestrian accident, victims should speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible so they can explain all the legal options and investigate how poor urban design contributed to injuries. They can handle every step of the case, from preserving evidence to dealing with insurance companies and negotiating for a fair settlement.
Victims may qualify for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care. Waiting too long to act can eliminate the chance to seek damages for losses resulting from the accident. A personal injury lawyer can help determine the deadline to file a claim.
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