Brampton personal injury lawyers regularly handle cases where pedestrians have been seriously injured in motor-vehicle accidents through no fault of theirs. 

Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable of road users. They are completely exposed to the forces of impact in a collision. Additionally, their age, gender and general health status can play a large part in the kind of injuries they sustain and significantly affect their chances of recovery. 

Summertime is a great season for outdoor play, walks, running, picnics, cycling and this is also the season to be extra careful. Senior citizens who have been cooped up indoors during winter tend to step out to enjoy the sunshine and warmth, while kids take advantage of the longer daylight hours to play or engage in outdoor sports a lot more. 

Figures released by the Ontario Road Safety Annual Report   (ORSAR) reveal that the situation with the highest number of road fatalities in 2016 were pedestrian fatalities. Such accidents represent 20% of the total fatalities for the year. The months May through to October show a higher number of injuries and fatalities caused by collisions.

These figures emphasize the need for safe walking spaces for Ontarians. The Toronto Walking Survey quoted in a 2008 study recommends that more Torontans need to walk and maintain an active physical lifestyle. However, road safety for pedestrians is a huge concern in our increasingly crowded urban centers.

Who Is A Pedestrian?

Pedestrians are those who are not in or on a vehicle, whether motorized or otherwise propelled. They could be people in non-motorized wheelchairs or in a wheelchair that can’t travel at a speed higher than 10 kmph. They may also be pushing a bicycle or a wheelchair.

More male than female pedestrians tend to be killed in motor-vehicle collisions. Senior citizens above the age of 65 account for more than 35% of fatalities. Children represent about 3% of pedestrian fatalities. Peak hours for such accidents appears to be between 2 pm and 10 pm but the twilight hours accounted for 57% of the accidents.

Staying Safe

Toronto has adopted a pedestrian charter that addresses these issues. Several new rules have also been legislated by the Ontario Ministry for Transportation.

Meanwhile, as a pedestrian, follow these tips to stay safe:

• Use crosswalks to get to the other side. Stay on the pavement.

• Remember childhood instructions. Stop, Look both ways before you step off the curb.

• Wear bright, light-colored or reflective clothing.

• Seniors and children should preferably walk in groups.

• Avoid headphones/cellphones/music.

• Keep children off playing on streets.

• Don’t try to beat crosswalk lights – they’re there to keep you safe. 

If you or a dear one has been injured in such an accident, get immediate medical attention, no matter how minor you consider your injuries to be. Certain injuries tend to appear minor initially but later turn out to be life-threatening. It’s also important to report the accident from a legal and insurance perspective. As soon as possible, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with expertise and knowledge in handling such cases. You may be entitled to compensation.