The Best Ideas To Avoid Crashes By Sharing The Road

June 19, 2019

For practical purposes, drivers must have a greater awareness of the presence of bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists on our roadways. Sadly, this does not always happen.

In 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, accidents involving vehicles claimed the lives of:

• 783 bicyclists
• 5,977 pedestrians
• 5,172 motorcyclists

For drivers, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation suggests a SMART approach when driving:

Start SMART

S: Seat belt on, seat adjusted.
M: Mirrors adjusted and clear.
A: Air conditioning, heating and defrost controls set.
R: Radio and audio panel set.
T: Thoroughly check for traffic, people and objects.

Stay SMART

S: Watch your Speed.
M: Frequently check Mirrors.
A: Avoid distractions.
R: Follow Rules of the road.
T: Allow Time to reach your destination.

Sharing responsibility

This is not to say that pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists do not have responsibilities. In addition to following speed limits and other laws, PennDOT offers the following tips:

For pedestrians:

• Wear light-colored, reflective clothing.
• Walk against traffic.
• Make eye contact with motorists before crossing the street.
• Be aware of surroundings.

For motorcyclists:

• Wear a U.S. DOT-approved helmet, face or eye protection and protective clothing.
• Conduct a pre-ride check.
• Wear reflective clothing.
• Put reflective tape on riding gear and motorcycle.
• Allow time to react to dangerous situations.
• Practice safe riding, particularly in adverse road and weather conditions.

For bicyclists:

• Always wear a helmet.
• Never ride against traffic.
• Be predictable by riding in a straight line, making sure your path is clear, changing directions without swerving and using hand signals when turning.
• Make yourself visible by wearing bright clothes, placing reflectors on the wheels and front and rear of the bike, and using a front light and rear reflector at night.
• Bring your cellphone in case of an emergency.

Share the burden of your case

Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists who are victims of accidents often suffer major personal injuries. This means a lengthy recovery period, where you are unable to provide for your family as both regular and medical bills pile up. You also may be under pressure from an insurance company to accept a financial settlement that comes nowhere near meeting your needs or what you deserve.

Don’t give in to these problems; they can be easily solved. Call the personal injury lawyers at Villari, Giannone and Matteo They have handled many cases just like yours in both Pennsylvania (offices in Conshohocken and Philadelphia) and New Jersey (Marlton). They work aggressively to secure justice and financial compensation for you and your family and will take the burden of being injured off of your shoulders so you can focus on getting better.

At the same time, you will be treated with respect and compassion, and know that your lawyers will always be there for you. Contact them today for a free case consultation.