Freehold and Carteret Residents Killed In Two Separate Pedestrian Accidents
Image Courtesy: Flickr - Mlcastle
A man and a woman were killed in two separate pedestrian accidents in Freehold Township and Carteret last month. In Carteret, Kimberly McMickle was killed when she was crossing the street with her friend. In Freehold Township, Toribio Garcia Jiminez, was struck on Route 9. Both accidents continue to be investigated, but it's probably time to step back and see how we can reduce our chances of becoming one of New Jersey's pedestrian accident statistics. It seems that those road safety lessons that our parents taught us are still as valid now as they've always been. In other words:
- Walk only on the sidewalk.
- Don’t blindly step out onto traffic without looking around first.
- Obey pedestrian traffic signs diligently.
- Cross on a designated, clearly marked crosswalk.
- That old "look left, then right, then left again" rule? It still makes as much sense today as it did when you were a kid.
- Pay attention to vehicles around you.
- Avoid walking with your back to traffic
- Don’t be distracted. If you have to use the cell phone, stop for a while at a safe spot, finish your conversation, and then move on.
- Drinking and walking is just as dangerous as drinking and driving.
- Wear sensible clothing and comfortable footwear. Don’t wear dark colors if you're walking at night. If possible, wear reflective clothing in the dark.
Motorists can do their bit to make sure that we see fewer needless pedestrian deaths on our streets.
- Be aware of pedestrian movements. Look out for pedestrians at particular danger spots, like at a turning or an intersection where many accidents are likely to occur.
- Stay within speed limits.
- Don’t drink and drive.
- Switch off your cell phone. All the above three impair your driving skills, and make it harder for you to spot a pedestrian.
Sometimes, an accident can occur even when a pedestrian plays by the rules. In such cases, the accident can often be traced to the negligence of the motorist, or a design flaw in the road that makes it dangerous for pedestrians. In such cases, there may be more than one party who can be named in a civil liability lawsuit including the motorist, as well as any local agencies that may have been responsible for the road construction and design. A Monmouth county pedestrian accident lawyer will conduct his own private investigation of the accident scene to ascertain responsibility for the accident. If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact a Monmouth County pedestrian accident lawyer at my office for a free evaluation of your claim.
