Pedestrian Accidents at Night

Have you ever been driving in your car at night when it’s dark out and been surprised to see a pedestrian suddenly come into your view, almost like they came out of nowhere? Maybe they were walking in an area or part of town that is not usually where you expect to see people walking. Or maybe they were wearing dark colored clothes, making them especially hard to see at night. Further still, they could have been walking with their back to traffic, along the same side of the road as the traffic moves, making them hard to see and in an unexpected place.

The risk of pedestrian accidents increases at night, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most pedestrian deaths occur in urban areas, non-intersection locations, and at night. Even the most vigilant drivers can be caught off guard by hard-to-see pedestrians walking after dark.

Many pedestrians may not realize the risks they take in going for a walk after dark, so what should pedestrians at night do to protect their safety?

Here are some tips to keep in mind when walking in the dark:

• Assume motorists cannot and do not see you. Proactively guard your safety as a pedestrian
• Walk on a sidewalk or path. If neither is available, walk on the shoulder of the road facing traffic so that you are aware of approaching vehicles and can move out of the way, if necessary
• Walk in well-lit areas
• Wear bright and/or reflective clothing
• Walk with a flashlight
• Don’t use noise-cancelling headphones—make sure you can hear traffic around you

If you or a loved one were injured in a pedestrian accident in Indiana, and you have questions, I invite you to pick up the phone and call us +1 (219) 736-9700. We are experienced personal injury attorneys ready to help you.