Posted in Car Accident,Pedestrian Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on March 31, 2015
Pedestrian Accident in Madison Sends Man to Hospital with Serious Injuries
A pedestrian was struck by a minivan in Madison, Tennessee, Monday night while walking at the intersection of Old Hickory Boulevard and Gallatin Pike.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the accident occurred around 10:15 p.m. when the man was walking on the sidewalk and decided to cross the street. As he stepped into the road, he ended up in the path of the van and was struck by the vehicle.
The impact of the collision caused the man to suffer life-threatening injuries and he was transported to Tri-Star Skyline Medical Center in Nashville for treatment.
The driver of the minivan wasn’t injured in the accident and isn’t facing charges at this time according to Nashville Metro Police.
Police also stated that the victim’s identity is currently unknown, as he wasn’t carrying any identification at the time of the accident.
The Nashville car accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law hope the man who was injured in this pedestrian accident experiences a quick and complete recovery from his injuries.
How Can You Reduce Your Risks As a Pedestrian?
Walking is a great way to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors, but it poses many risks—especially if you walk at night or near heavily trafficked areas. To reduce your risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident, do your best to follow these tips:
Whenever possible, walk against the flow of traffic. This helps you be more aware of oncoming vehicles and gives you more time to react if a vehicle drives too close to the curb or sidewalk. In addition, walking towards vehicles make you more visible to other drivers.
Crosswalks are designed for a reason—to allow pedestrians a chance to cross the street safely at intersections with red lights and stop signs. Crossing the street in non-designated areas can cause you to get a ticket as well as put you at an increased risk for being struck by a vehicle.
Walking shoulder to shoulder on a sidewalk can force one person close to the road, putting him or her at heightened risk of being struck by passing vehicles. Give everyone as much room as possible by walking towards the outer edge of the sidewalk in a single file line.
It’s best to avoid walking at night if possible, but if you have to set out on foot, wear clothing with bright and reflective colors to make yourself more visible to passing drivers. Pedestrians who wear dark-colored clothing can be difficult or even impossible for drivers to see until it’s too late for them to stop or swerve out of the way.
Sidewalks are safest areas for pedestrians to walk, as the different color pavement and slight elevation provide pedestrians with extra protection from distracted, drowsy, or negligent drivers. Walking on the shoulder of the road is more dangerous as there’s very little that separates it from the roadway itself. If you have no other options, walk as far from the road as possible—even if it means walking in the grass—to better protect yourself from passing vehicles.
By following the tips above, you can greatly decrease your chances of being involved in a pedestrian accident. But above all, always be alert and cautious for approaching vehicles—especially when you’re crossing the street at intersections. The more aware you are of cars, trucks, motorcycles, and even bicyclists, the safer you’ll be.
However, our Nashville car accident attorneys know that pedestrian accidents can occur without warning and even when safety is the top priority. If you or someone you love was injured in a pedestrian accident, contact Matt Hardin Law. We know what it takes to get compensation for your accident-related expenses. Just dial (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online form.
