In 2010 a reported 57 pedestrian deaths occurred in Missouri, many of them giving rise to wrongful death claims or general personal injury claims. See Missouri Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Ben Sansone Obtains St Louis County Judgment of $2.3 Million. This case involved a drunk driver in St Louis that injured a pedestrian when fleeing the police. Also, see St Louis Pedestrian Injury claim and settlement. . These are just 2 examples of pedestrian and motor vehicle injuries we have handled. It is a serious problem that these types of injuries are on the rise in Missouri. See Post Dispatch Article: "Pedestrian Deaths Increasing in Missouri".
As a St Louis injury lawyer handling pedestrian accidents and death cases, I have investigated first hand the situations that lead to the pedestrian accidents and how to avoid them.
If your car breaks down or you need to pull over to the side of the road, make sure you are in a well lighted and not heavy traffic area. Avoid stopping on the side of a busy highway at night. If you must, stay on the outside side of your vehicle. Changing a tire on the traffic side of a vehicle at night and on the highway is very dangerous. Turn on your hazard lights and leave your parking lights and headlights on as well.
Use crosswalks and when using crosswalks do not rely on drivers to obey traffic lights. Visually verify that traffic is clear or than oncoming vehicles have stopped and are not attempting to turn across your pathway. Never assume vehicles will obey crosswalk signals.
In Missouri you can dial " *55 " to get roadside help, may be a very good idea to stay in your vehicle until help arrives.
Be aware of traffic when walking on the side of the road, pedestrian on the side of the road and people changing tires on the side of the highway are the most common type of pedestrian injury.
Additionally, whenever talking about pedestrian safety, bicyclist safety tips are often very similar. Never assume vehicular traffic will obey traffic signals, wear bright clothes, use strobe or flashing lights on your bike, and try to avoid cycling at night, not only is it harder for vehicle drivers to see you, but debris and problems in the roadway are harder to see as well. See Avoiding Bike Injuries & Legal Liability at Intersections: Right of Way at Unmarked Intersections
http://www.missouriinjurylawblog.com/2011/07/avoiding-bike-injuries-legal-l.html
Clayton injury lawyer Ben Sansone handles all types of personal injury claims and lawsuits in both Missouri and Illinois. Including pedestrian injuries and wrongful death cases. For a free no obligation consultation with Mr. Sansone please contact our office today.
