We usually think about auto accidents as involving two vehicles. However, this notion is a bit misleading. A significant percentage of accidents do not involve two vehicles in motion.
Often enough, accidents involve a vehicle colliding with a pedestrian or bicyclist. These accidents are not only more frequent than most people think; they are also the most deadly. It is important to avoid becoming a statistic by avoiding pedestrian and bicycle accidents at all costs.
The Statistics
According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, there were 22,507 collisions not involving two vehicles in transport during 2017, second only to rear-end collisions. More importantly, there were 595 deaths in accidents not involving two vehicles in transport, making it by far the most fatal type of accident.
Avoid being a statistic by following these simple tips:
- Be watchful at intersections: Intersections are the most common place for pedestrians and bicyclists to be struck by automobiles.
- Stay away from dangerous parts of town: Obviously, highways and other dangerous areas should be avoided by pedestrians and cyclists. But also try to avoid areas that are known to have a lot of drunk driving or dangerous traffic trends.
- Avoid drunk walking: Walking through town under the influence of alcohol can be just as dangerous as driving. You could accidentally step off the curb onto the road or fail to see an oncoming vehicle.
- Be especially careful at night: Avoiding walking at night if you can, but if you do walk at night, make sure you use a flashlight and wear reflective clothing to alert drivers of your presence.
If you are in an accident, make sure you seek medical help right away and contact an attorney as soon as possible. In the meantime, do everything you can to avoid becoming a tragic pedestrian accident or bicyclist accident statistic.