Walking With A Stroller: Tips To Help You Avoid Serious Accidents
If you are a new parent, the chances are, you enjoy walking with your child in a stroller. Fortunately, there are sidewalks that keep pedestrians away from traffic. However, despite there being sidewalks, accidents involving parents walking with strollers and vehicles are not uncommon.
Below are six tips to help you avoid serious accidents when walking with your child in a stroller.
Tip #1: When There is a Sidewalk, Use It
In Florida, you cannot walk or run on the road if a sidewalk is available to you. Unfortunately, many people still walk and run on the road, even where sidewalks are available to them. It is crucial that you avoid walking with a stroller on the road if a sidewalk is available to you. Even though walking on the sidewalk does not guarantee you a hundred percent safety, it reduces your chances of being hit by a car.
Suppose there is no sidewalk. In such a case, you should walk against the direction of traffic. This way, you can see oncoming vehicles.
Tip #2: Be Seen
When walking with a stroller, it is advisable that you wear reflective, bright clothes, shoes, hats, or wristbands. Reflective, colorful clothes, hats, shoes, or wristbands make you more visible. The more visible you are, the more likely drivers will see you and yield. If you are walking with a stroller at night, ensure you carry a flashlight.
Tip #3: Pay Attention
Even though the FLHSMV warns against wearing headphones when on the road, people still walk with headphones. It is advisable that you avoid wearing headphones when walking with a stroller. You want to be able to hear the traffic around you so you can keep both yourself and your child safe. Also, it is best if you avoid looking at your phone when crossing the street with a stroller.
Tip #4: Keep Your Child’s Stroller in Good Working Condition
It is crucial that you keep your child’s stroller in good condition to avoid it malfunctioning, for example, when you are crossing a road. Also, ensure that you use a stroller with brakes.
Tip #5: Follow Pedestrian Signals and Signs
For example, if the crosswalk signal is “Don’t Walk” or red, you are required to yield the right of way to vehicles.
Tip #6: Cross Where You Are Expected
It is advisable that when you are walking with a stroller, you cross the road where pedestrians are ‘expected.’ For example, it is advisable to cross the roadway at a crosswalk.
What if a Negligent Driver Hits You and Your Child?
If a negligent driver hits you while you’re walking with a stroller, you may be eligible to file a claim against them and recover compensation. For example, if the motorist was distracted driving, you may be qualified to file a claim against them and recover compensation for your injuries and your child’s injuries.
Contact a Plantation Personal Injury Lawyer
If, after all your efforts to keep yourself and your child safe, you and your child get injured by a negligent driver in Florida, do not hesitate to contact a Plantation personal injury lawyer at Lyons & Snyder for legal help.
Resource:
flhsmv.gov/safety-center/child-safety/bicycle-pedestrian-safety/
