Are You at Risk of a PA Pedestrian Accident? Review This Questionnaire to Find Out.

Walking is one of the easiest ways to stay active. It can also help reduce your risks of certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, insomnia, and it can keep your weight in check. But walking can also be dangerous, especially if your city hasn't taken the proper precautions to ensure pedestrian walkways are abundant and appropriately maintained.

If you live in a community where there aren't as many sidewalks, crosswalks or maintained pedestrian pathways as there should be, you could be injured in a Pennsylvania pedestrian accident. Observe the following when walking to see how your neighborhood ranks:

1. Do you have room to walk? Are the sidewalks wide enough to pass other pedestrians and bicyclists without stepping off of the walkway or into the road?
2. Is it easy to cross streets? Are there crosswalks and pedestrian signals present at convenient intervals? Are the curbs wheelchair and stroller accessible and properly maintained?
3. Are the drivers courteous and aware of pedestrians? Do drivers watch for pedestrian traffic before turning corners or crossing through intersections? Do they check for pedestrians on sidewalks before exiting driveways and side streets? Do they follow traffic rules, such as stopping at stop signs, yielding at crosswalks and maintaining a safe speed?
4. Is your walk pleasant? Is the sidewalk well maintained, with no large cracks or drop-offs? Are the trees and grass cut from the walkway? Are there unattended animals or animals that make you feel apprehensive?

If your community doesn't rate as well as you would prefer, you can improve your score by getting involved. Speak up at city board meetings, gather signatures from community members to petition for safer walkways, or work with the media to bring attention to the dangerous situations that are facing your community.

If you were injured in a Pennsylvania or New Jersey pedestrian accident, contact a Bucks County pedestrian injury attorney at Saile & Saile for a free consultation.