Each community has its own preferences for transportation. In New York City, for example, it's popular to ride the subway or take taxi cabs. In San Francisco, taxis and ride-sharing services are extremely common. In Los Angeles, almost everybody has a car it seems.

Regardless if you commute to work in your personal vehicle or take the bus every day, there's one thing that we all have in common – we are all pedestrians. Unfortunately, being a pedestrian can be dangerous, especially in urban areas where pedestrians share the roads with cars and trucks.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2013, the number of pedestrian fatalities for the year increased nationwide to 4,735 – that is far too great of a number.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

Remember, when you are walking you are considered to be a pedestrian! To keep yourself safe while on foot, follow these safety tips:

• Walk on the sidewalk whenever one is available.
• If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and stay as far away from vehicles as possible.
• When crossing the street, always use an intersection or crosswalk when available.
• When you cross at a crosswalk, watch for drivers who may not see you. Sometimes drivers are careless and don't look for pedestrians.
• If a crosswalk is not available, select an area where you have the best view of oncoming traffic.
• When crossing, do not assume that a driver sees you. Try to make eye contact and don't approach an intersection unless the driver sees you.
• Avoid walking on public streets while under the influence of drugs or alcohol as this can impair your judgment.
• Watch out for cars exiting or entering driveways and parking lots.
• At night, it's harder for drivers to see you. To be safe, carry a flashlight and wear reflective clothing.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, we urge you to use our directory to find a personal injury attorney who can help you file a claim for compensation.