Memphis, TN is One of the Most Dangerous U.S. Cities for Pedestrians
Did you know that the city of Memphis, Tennessee has been identified as one of the top 10 cities in the U.S. where pedestrians are at the greatest peril? That’s right. After data was analyzed from the Smart Growth America’s Pedestrian Danger Index, it was determined that Memphis made the list as well as several other cities, many of which are located in Florida [Source: Property Casualty 360]. The fact is, pedestrians who walk to work as opposed to driving a vehicle are much more vulnerable to sustaining an injury than someone who is occupying a car, truck, or bus.
And while many have sustained injuries in car or truck accidents, there have been several accounts reported from all over the state of Texas that involve a pedestrian being hit by a bus. An accident that occurred back in July 2017 involved an MTA bus and a male pedestrian who was in the crosswalk attempting to get across the street. The Tennessean reported that the MTA bus struck the man, but thankfully only suffered minor injuries. While this man was exercising caution by using the designated crosswalk, he was still hit by a bus. There is a chance that the driver didn’t see the man or wasn’t being as attentive as he/she should have been to help prevent this accident from occurring.
A few years back, a MATA bus driver struck a pedestrian near Bickford Park, and thankfully, they too were able to walk away from the accident without suffering any serious injuries. But not everyone is that lucky and these statistics prove that.
- In 2015, 5,376 pedestrians were killed and 69,000 were injured in traffic crashes, according to AAA Exchange.
- Over half of the pedestrian fatalities occurred at night.
- 8 out of 10 pedestrian fatalities occurred outside of intersections.
- 21% of children under 14-years of age were killed in traffic crashes on foot.
And because the city of Memphis has been identified as one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians, the risk only heightens for a person decides to walk to school, work, or even the local grocery store.
What can a pedestrian do to avoid an accident with a bus?
Bus drivers are responsible for operating a large vehicle that has blind spots. That means they aren’t always able to see when someone is crossing the street or if someone is already in the middle of crossing. So, as a pedestrian, you can’t assume that the bus driver is always going to see you. Therefore, we are sharing a few tips for those of you who elect to walk as opposed to driving or riding a bike.
- Always use crosswalks but also look before walking to ensure traffic has stopped or the coast is clear.
- Stay on sidewalks whenever possible. If a sidewalk isn’t available to walk on, walk on the far side of the road facing traffic.
- Avoid walking along highways or other roadways where pedestrians are prohibited.
[Source: AAA Exchange].
And in the event a bus accident arises and you believe the bus driver was the cause, you may be able to recover some compensation for damages that have arisen. If you would like to learn more about what damages are and what you might qualify to collect compensation for, consult with a local Memphis, TN bus crash attorney at your earliest convenience. Should you need help locating a lawyer, USAttorneys.com is available to help you.
