You tend to see it all on college campuses here in Colorado. Pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders and vehicle drivers crisscross those campuses daily. Avoiding pedestrian accidents on campus is the responsibility of everyone.
Drivers need to pay particular attention since they can cause the most harm in a crash. Regardless of whether a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, drivers should be prepared to stop at all times. Never take for granted that someone will be paying attention — even though he or she should be vigilant. Drives also need to watch their speed. The posted speed limits are not only for the safety of drivers, but also for the safety of pedestrians.
Of course, pedestrians need to take responsibility for themselves as well, whether they walk around one of Colorado’s college campuses or elsewhere. They should also pay attention to where they are walking, look both ways before crossing and not engage in activities that distract them as they walk. A lot of attention is paid to distracted driving, which is an issue on every roadway, but pedestrians can also become distracted and put their lives in danger. Bicyclists and skateboarders need to heed these warnings as well. Everyone needs to remain vigilant and pay attention to what’s going on nearby at all times.
Even when pedestrians do everything right, they could still become involved in pedestrian accidents. The injuries they suffer could be significant, especially if the collision involves a motor vehicle. If the driver was somehow negligent, the victim could file a personal injury claim, seeking restitution for the medical expenses, lost wages and other damages sustained due to the driver’s actions.
Source: colorado.edu, “Pedestrian Safety“, May 1, 2017