Safety advocates are calling for legislative action in Connecticut after a 41-year-old woman was hit by a hit-and-run driver near Wesleyan University last week, bringing the number of pedestrian fatalities in the state since January 1 to 15.

Connecticut’s struggle with pedestrian accidents isn’t new – the state launched a safety campaign back in 2017 called Watch for Me CT after a one-week period at the end of 2016 in which nine serious pedestrian accidents occurred, resulting in 8 deaths. The campaign strives to highlight pedestrian and bicyclist safety concerns across the state through public service messages and other educational materials.

Currently four Connecticut cities, including New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury, are in the top 30 U.S. cities with households that don’t have a car, and more than 30% of Hartford residents don’t have a car. Many residents and experts blame distracted driving and speeding for the increase in pedestrian deaths in Connecticut between 2017 and 2018.

Pedestrian accidents can result in more serious injuries and sometimes death, as individuals lack protection from the force and weight of cars that may be traveling more than 55 miles per hour. If you were struck by a car as a pedestrian, you have legal rights to compensation that you should act on quickly by hiring a lawyer.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

In order to make the roads safer and protect your own health, keep the following tips in mind as a pedestrian:

Be Safe While Crossing & Walking

• Always use sidewalks when they’re available and unobstructed
• If there are no sidewalks available for use, walk as far from the road as possible and in the direction of oncoming traffic
• Obey all pedestrian traffic signals and use crosswalks wherever possible
• Make sure each car lane is completely clear before you cross the street
• When crossing, make sure to pay attention to cars that are turning

Strive to Be Visible to Drivers

• In order to stand out at night, carry a flashlight, walk in well-lit areas, and try to wear reflective clothing
• Before crossing the street, make sure you’re not obstructed by buses, hedges, or parked cars

Stay Alert

• Look both ways every time you consider crossing the street
• Look out for cars backing up in driveways and parking lots
• Avoid distractions like texting, taking phone calls, and listening to music, as you need to both hear and look for cars
• Don’t assume vehicles can see you

We Can Watch Out for You

While pedestrian accidents can happen any time individuals are walking on sidewalks or in the street, that doesn’t mean they should. At Zayas Law Firm, our pedestrian accident attorneys work tirelessly to help clients who are suffering from their injuries. Through fierce advocacy, we hold negligent drivers responsible for the harm they’ve caused and achieve the compensation our clients need to cover their expenses, from medical bills to ambulance fees. Our law firm has looked out for the health and well-being of clients for more than 30 years, and we hope to continue protecting our community for years to come.

Call Zayas Law Firm at (860) 854-9156, or contact us online if you’ve been injured as a pedestrian. Because pedestrians are defenseless in an accident, especially those involving motor vehicles, injuries tend to be more severe and be expensive to treat. Our personal injury attorneys can pursue full and fair compensation for your pain and suffering.