Pedestrian Safety in Wisconsin
A pleasant stroll down the road can quickly turn to disaster in Wisconsin. Our state has a real problem: the number of car-caused pedestrian deaths has steadily increased over the last two years and shows no sign of abating.
The number of people killed while walking across the street in Wisconsin in 2015 is 55 according to the DOT.
Distracted (or intoxicated) driving and a blatant lack of adherence to cross-walk laws are the biggest culprits in the dramatic increase of walking-related accidents. State law requires that motorists must yield to pedestrians at all crosswalks, regardless of whether or not that crosswalk is marked with signs or road paint. Any “natural” route to get across a street is considered a crosswalk and the law put the onus on drivers to account for the nuance.
Wisconsin has become one of the most dangerous states in the country to simply take a walk. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports that 55 people were killed while walking across the street in 2015, and that number was up by 22 percent since 2014. At almost 30 pedestrian deaths in 2016 to date, we’re on pace for another tragic year.
Steps to Decrease the Likelihood of an Accident
While responsibility for car-caused pedestrian injuries is overwhelmingly belonging to drivers, there are simple steps that pedestrians should take to decrease the likelihood of an accident. When attempting to cross the street, always remember to do the following:
- Look both ways down the street to make sure there are no cars approaching.
- Take a couple of slow steps into the crosswalk to double-check that the coast is clear.
- If there are cars approaching, do not assume that the drivers see you or plan to stop.
- If you notice cars yielding for you, make eye contact or other gestures to silently communicate that the drivers truly do see you and plan to let you walk across the road.
If you have the misfortune of being the pedestrian victimized by an automobile, you deserve support that is swift and effective. Wisconsin state law is designed to protect pedestrians and you may be able to mount a successful case. Contact the Milwaukee personal injury lawyers of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. for a free consultation today.